Paula's Choice
Niacinamide 20% TreatmentA serum built around Niacinamide and Vitamin C derivative, for barrier repair and hydration.
A serum built around Niacinamide and Panthenol, for hydration and barrier repair.
Brand price
USD 59.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 23.00 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · brand's site

At a Glance

They come out differently on Pore-clogger-free; that row is shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients


Benefits

Hydrating6
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Panthenol, Propanediol
Barrier Repair9
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Lecithin, Niacinamide, Panthenol
Reduces Irritation4
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Panthenol
Redness Reducing3
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Hydrating13
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Beta-Glucan, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide NP, Glycerin, Honey Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Methyl Gluceth-10, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair9
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Angelica Keiskei Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide NP, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopherol

Concerns

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis2
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
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
Skin Conditioning
Skin Conditioning
Perfuming
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Humectant
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Panthenol (provitamin B5)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Reduces Irritation
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water
Antiplaque, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Learn more about Water →Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
Learn more about Pentylene Glycol →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 →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 →Allantoin
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
Learn more about Allantoin →Panthenol
Antistatic, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Panthenol is panthenol (provitamin B5).
Learn more about Panthenol →Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →Sodium Phytate
Chelating, Oral Care
Myo-Inositol, hexakis(dihydrogen phosphate), sodium salt
Learn more about Sodium Phytate →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
Niacinamide 20% Treatment

Paula's Choice
10% Niacinamide Booster
- View the comparison

Anua
Rice Ceramide 7 Hydrating Barrier Serum

Arencia
Holy Hyssop Glow Serum 12
- View the comparison

Paula's Choice
Niacinamide 20% Treatment

COSRX
The Niacinamide 15 Serum
- View the comparison

Anua
Rice Ceramide 7 Hydrating Barrier Serum

Skin1004
Hyalu-Cica Blue Serum