Paula's Choice
Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum with RetinolPaula's Choice
1% Retinol TreatmentA serum built around Vitamin E and Retinoid, for smoothing and barrier repair.
A serum built around Vitamin C derivative and Vitamin C, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 31.20 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 48.75 · 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
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.
Hydrating8
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, PEG-14, PEG-33, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair16
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Behenyl Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja Sterols, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Isononyl Isononanoate, Lecithin, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer, Tribehenin
Reduces Irritation5
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Concerns
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.
May Trigger Acne2
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis19
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Arachidyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Behenyl Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Castor Isostearate Succinate, Ceramide Ng, Glyceryl Stearate, Lecithin, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-75 Shea Butter Glycerides, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Laurate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tribehenin
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Ingredients Side-by-side
Emollient
Emollient
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 (in both products)
Antioxidant
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin C derivative (stable)
- Antioxidant
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Skin Conditioning
Emollient
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
1 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Humectant
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising, Hair Fixing, Viscosity Controlling
Dimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone.
Learn more about Dimethicone Crosspolymer →Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate is vitamin E.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate →Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Retinol is a retinoid.
Learn more about Retinol →Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate →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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