Paula's Choice
Discoloration Repair SerumMedik8
Niacinamide PeptidesA serum built around Niacinamide and Tranexamic acid, for barrier repair and smoothing.
A serum built around Niacinamide and Zinc salt, for barrier repair and hydration.
Brand price
USD 59.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
GBP 49.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
At a Glance
They come out differently on Silicone-free and Vegan; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
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.
Hydrating8
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Zinc PCA
Barrier Repair10
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Behenyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Niacinamide, Tocopherol
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 Trigger Acne3
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis13
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Polysorbate 60, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Stearate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
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
Solvent
Emollient
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Behenyl Alcohol (in both products)
Emollient
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- 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
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Dark Spots
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
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 →Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Fragrance, Perfuming, Occlusive, Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is the mixed triester of glycerin and caprylic and capric acids.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride →Behenyl Alcohol
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Emollient, Viscosity Controlling
Behenyl Alcohol isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Behenyl Alcohol →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 →Citric Acid
Buffering, Chelating, Fragrance
Citric Acid is an AHA.
Learn more about Citric Acid →Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →
Similar Comparisons
Each product against its closest dupes.
- View the comparison
Paula's Choice
Discoloration Repair Serum
Rojukiss
GLUTA NIA-C10 TRIPLE WHITE SERUM
- View the comparison
Medik8
Niacinamide Peptides
Neutrogena
Collagen Bank Laser Perfecting Face Serum
- View the comparison
Paula's Choice
Discoloration Repair Serum
Purito
TXA 6 Niacinamide 10 Retinal Serum
- View the comparison
Medik8
Niacinamide Peptides
COSRX
The Alpha-Arbutin 2 Discoloration Care Serum