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 42.00 · 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

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.
Hydrating19
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Lactic Acid, Panthenol, Propanediol, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Squalane, Sucrose, Tocopherol, Xylitol
Barrier Repair14
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Betaine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Cetearyl Olivate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Oleate, Lecithin, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Squalane, Tocopherol, Xylitol
Reduces Irritation5
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Panthenol, Sucrose

Concerns

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis2
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis12
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Cetearyl Olivate, Glyceryl Oleate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lauryl Glucoside, Lecithin, Myristyl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Olivate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.

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
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Humectant
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
- 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.
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 →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 →Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent, Fragrance, Humectant, Oral Care, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Skin Protecting, Tonic, UV Absorber
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is an extract of the leaves of the Tea, Camellia sinensis, Theaceae
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract →Allantoin
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
Learn more about Allantoin →Lecithin
Antistatic, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Emulsifying
Lecithin isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Lecithin →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 →Propanediol
Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Propanediol is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Propanediol →
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