Paula's Choice
Discoloration Repair SerumA serum built around Niacinamide and Tranexamic acid, for barrier repair and smoothing.
A serum built around Niacinamide and Tranexamic acid, for hydration and pollution defence.
Brand price
USD 59.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 25.00 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · brand's site

At a Glance

They come out differently on Alcohol-free, Silicone-free and Oil-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients


Benefits

Hydrating4
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair15
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Bakuchiol, Behenyl Alcohol, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja Oil, Glycine Soja Sterols, Lecithin, Niacinamide, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil, Tocopherol
Redness Reducing3
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Hydrating12
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Propanediol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Tocopherol
Reduces Irritation4
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Madecassoside, Panthenol
Redness Reducing5
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Madecassoside, Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid

Concerns

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis7
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Behenyl Alcohol, Ethyl Macadamiate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lecithin, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis4
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate

Ingredients Side-by-side

Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Tranexamic Acid (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
- Tranexamic acid
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Redness Reducing
Solvent
Emollient
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
1 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Tranexamic Acid (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
- Tranexamic acid
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Redness Reducing
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Dark Spots
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Skin Conditioning
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →Tranexamic Acid
Astringent, Skin Conditioning
Tranexamic Acid is tranexamic acid.
Learn more about Tranexamic Acid →Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
Learn more about Butylene Glycol →Tocopherol
Antioxidant, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Occlusive
Tocopherol is vitamin E.
Learn more about Tocopherol →Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →Hydrogenated Lecithin
Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Hydrogenated Lecithin →Allantoin
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
Learn more about Allantoin →Citric Acid
Buffering, Chelating, Fragrance
Citric Acid is an AHA.
Learn more about Citric Acid →Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →
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