Paula's Choice SHINE STOPPER Instant Matte Finish with MICROSPONGE Technology vs Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream

Paula's Choice

Dr.Althea

A face moisturizer, for barrier repair and smoothing.

A face moisturizer built around Niacinamide and Panthenol, for hydration and barrier repair.

Face moisturizer

14 ingredients

38 ingredients

Brand price

USD 28.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

USD 27.00 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand country not recorded

Brand from South Korea

At a Glance

They come out differently on EU-allergen-free and Cruelty-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Cetearyl Alcohol

Ceramide1
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.
Ceramide NP
Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
Centella asiatica (Cica)3
Centella asiatica (cica), used to calm irritation.
Centella Asiatica Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Madecassoside

Hydrating3
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Glycerin
Barrier Repair6
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Myristyl Myristate
Smoothing4
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Myristyl Myristate
Anti-Pollution2
Helps defend against airborne pollutants.
Dimethicone, Glycerin

May Trigger Acne3
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Myristate
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis5
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Myristyl Myristate, PEG-100 Stearate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Myristate
May Worsen Irritation3
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Benzyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Myristyl Myristate

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis5
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, C14-22 Alcohols, Ceramide NP, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Irritation1
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Tocopherol

Show highlights for:

Water
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (in both products)
Occlusive
1 / 1
Dimethicone
Emollient
1 / 0
- Silicones
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Smoothing
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
2 / 1
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
PEG-100 Stearate
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Anticaking
0 / 0
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
1 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
5 / 2
- Esters listed as pore-clogging in animal testing only
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
2 / 3
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

Aqua
Solvent
0 / —
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
- Hydrating
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polydecene
Emollient
Vinyl Dimethicone
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
- Silicones
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Niacinamide
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (in both products)
Occlusive
1 / 1

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

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 →
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 →
Disodium EDTA
Chelating, Viscosity Controlling
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
Learn more about Disodium EDTA →