Paula's Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum with Retinol vs Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Booster — SkinMama Atlas

Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum with Retinol

1% Retinol Booster

Paula's Choice

Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum with Retinol

Paula's Choice

1% Retinol Booster

A serum built around Vitamin E and Retinoid, for smoothing and barrier repair.

A serum built around Retinoid and Ceramide, for barrier repair and hydration.

Serum

Serum

24 ingredients

27 ingredients

Brand price

USD 31.20 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

USD 55.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

No retailer listed yet

At a Glance

They come out differently on Silicone-free, Pore-clogger-free and Vegan; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients

Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopheryl Acetate
Vitamin C derivative (stable)1
Stable derivatives of ascorbic acid.
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Retinoid2
Vitamin A derivatives that speed cell turnover.
Retinol, Retinyl Palmitate
Vitamin C1
Vitamin C in any form: an antioxidant and brightener.
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Ceramide1
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.
Ceramide NP
Colloidal oatmeal1
Finely milled oat — an FDA-recognised skin protectant.
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)1
Polysorbate (Tween) emulsifiers.
Polysorbate 20
Retinoid1
Vitamin A derivatives that speed cell turnover.
Retinol

Benefits

Hydrating2
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Barrier Repair8
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycine Soja Oil, Isododecane, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Reduces Irritation3
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Bisabolol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Bisabolol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract

Hydrating5
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Ascorbate
Barrier Repair6
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Ceramide NP, Glycerin
Reduces Irritation3
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin

Concerns

May Trigger Acne2
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Glycine Soja Oil, Retinyl Palmitate
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Glycine Soja Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Glycine Soja Oil, Retinyl Palmitate
May Worsen Oily Skin1
May increase shine or excess oil.
Glycine Soja Oil

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis7
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Ceramide NP, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polysorbate 20
May Worsen Oily Skin1
May increase shine or excess oil.
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil

Ingredients Side-by-side

Show highlights for:

Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
0-1 / —
- Silicones
Isododecane
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
0-1 / —
- Silicones
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
0-1 / —
- Silicones
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Occlusive
1 / 1
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
0 / 0
- Vitamin E
- Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
1-3 / 3
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Retinoid
- Acne Fighting
- Anti-Aging
- Oil Control
- Smoothing
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Retinol (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
- Retinoid
- Acne Fighting
- Anti-Aging
- Dark Spots
- Firming
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Smoothing
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin C derivative (stable)
- Antioxidant
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

Water
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Polyglyceryl-10 Caprylate/Caprate
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Retinol (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
- Retinoid
- Acne Fighting
- Anti-Aging
- Dark Spots
- Firming
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Smoothing
Glycyrrhiza Glabra
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
- Ceramide
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- 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.

Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Retinol is a retinoid.
Learn more about Retinol →
Salix Alba Extract
Skin Conditioning
Salix Alba (Willow) Flower Extract is the extract of the flowers of Salix alba, Salicaceae.
Learn more about Salix Alba Extract →
Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →

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