Paula's Choice Triple Active Total Repair Serum vs Aveeno Positively Radiant Vitamin C Serum

Paula's Choice

Aveeno

A serum built around Niacinamide, for barrier repair and smoothing.

A serum built around Niacinamide and Vitamin C derivative, for barrier repair and smoothing.

Serum

21 ingredients

18 ingredients

Brand price

USD 59.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

Not recorded · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

At a Glance

They come out differently on Silicone-free, Oil-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.
Cetyl Alcohol
Niacinamide1
Vitamin B3 — supports the barrier and evens tone.
Niacinamide

Face oil1
An oil formulated to be used on the face.
Squalane
Vitamin C derivative (stable)1
Stable derivatives of ascorbic acid.
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Colloidal oatmeal1
Finely milled oat — an FDA-recognised skin protectant.
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)1
Polysorbate (Tween) emulsifiers.
Polysorbate 60

Hydrating2
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Isopropyl Myristate, Niacinamide, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Castanea Sativa Leaf Extract
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Castanea Sativa Leaf Extract, Niacinamide

Hydrating5
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Glycerin, Squalane
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Glycerin, Isopropyl Myristate, Niacinamide, Squalane
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Niacinamide

May Trigger Acne2
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Cetyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis6
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Dilauryl Thiodipropionate, Hydroxystearic Acid, Isopropyl Myristate, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Cetyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate
May Worsen Oily Skin1
May increase shine or excess oil.
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Isopropyl Myristate
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Isopropyl Myristate, Polysorbate 60
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Isopropyl Myristate
May Worsen Oily Skin1
May increase shine or excess oil.
Squalane

Show highlights for:

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Isopropyl Myristate (in both products)
Emollient
5 / 3
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Occlusive
1 / 1
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Hydroxystearic Acid
Cleansing
- Fatty acids (stearic, oleic, lauric)
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Tocotrienols
UV Absorber
Retinyl Propionate
Skin Conditioning
Hexylresorcinol
Antimicrobial
0 / —

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
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Dark Spots
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
0-1 / —
Dimethicone
Emollient
1 / 0
- Silicones
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Smoothing
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin C derivative (stable)
- Antioxidant
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Emollient
- Colloidal oatmeal
- Barrier Repair
- Reduces Irritation
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Sodium Hydroxide (in both products)
Buffering
0 / —

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 →
Isopropyl Myristate
Binding, Fragrance, Perfuming, Emollient
Isopropyl Myristate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Isopropyl Myristate →
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 →
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering, Denaturant
Sodium hydroxide
Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide →