Paula's Choice
Intensive Wrinkle-Repair Retinol SerumPaula's Choice
1% Retinol TreatmentA serum built around Vitamin C derivative and Vitamin C, for barrier repair and smoothing.
A serum built around Vitamin C derivative and Vitamin C, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 47.20 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 48.75 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
At a Glance
They come out differently on Pore-clogger-free and Oil-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Hydrating5
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethiconol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Squalane, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair12
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dimethiconol, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Lecithin, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Squalane, Tocopherol
Reduces Irritation3
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Bisabolol, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Hydrating8
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, PEG-14, PEG-33, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair16
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Behenyl Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja Sterols, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Isononyl Isononanoate, Lecithin, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer, Tribehenin
Reduces Irritation5
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Concerns
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis4
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Lecithin, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
May Trigger Acne2
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis19
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Arachidyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Behenyl Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Castor Isostearate Succinate, Ceramide Ng, Glyceryl Stearate, Lecithin, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-75 Shea Butter Glycerides, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Laurate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tribehenin
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Ingredients Side-by-side
Emollient
Emollient
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (in both products)
Antioxidant
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin C derivative (stable)
- Antioxidant
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Retinol (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
- Retinoid
- Acne Fighting
- Anti-Aging
- Dark Spots
- Firming
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Smoothing
Skin Conditioning
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
Humectant
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate →Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Retinol is a retinoid.
Learn more about Retinol →Lecithin
Antistatic, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Emulsifying
Lecithin isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Lecithin →Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive, Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract is colloidal oatmeal.
Learn more about Avena Sativa Kernel Extract →Caprylyl Glycol
Deodorant, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol is the diol that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol →Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →
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