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 Vitamin E, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 59.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 37.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

At a Glance

They come out differently on Silicone-free, Pore-clogger-free, Oil-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

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.
Hydrating12
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair13
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Polyacrylate, Squalane, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol
Reduces Irritation4
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Achillea Millefolium Extract, Allantoin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Redness Reducing3
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.

Concerns

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis2
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
May Trigger Acne7
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycine Soja Oil, Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis11
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Stearic Acid
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris7
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycine Soja Oil, Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol
May Worsen Oily Skin3
May increase shine or excess oil.

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
Skin Conditioning
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
Viscosity Controlling
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 →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 →Pullulan
Binding, Film Forming
Pullulan is a polysaccharide produced from starch by cultivating the yeast, Aureobasidium pullulans
Learn more about Pullulan →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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