Paula's Choice
1% Retinol BoosterA serum built around Centella asiatica and Niacinamide, for barrier repair and soothing irritation.
A serum built around Retinoid and Ceramide, for barrier repair and hydration.
Brand price
Not recorded · brand's site
Brand price
USD 55.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
At a Glance
They come out differently on Fragrance-free, EU-allergen-free, Oil-free and Vegan; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
Centella asiatica (Cica)6
Centella asiatica (cica), used to calm irritation.
Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Centella Asiatica Callus Extracellular Vesicles, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside
Hyaluronic acid1
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Benefits
Hydrating9
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycerin, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Panthenol, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair12
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ceramide NP, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Niacinamide, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Panthenol, Sucrose Stearate
Reduces Irritation11
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Callus Extracellular Vesicles, Centella Asiatica Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Panthenol
Redness Reducing8
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Centella Asiatica Callus Extracellular Vesicles, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside, Niacinamide
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
Concerns
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis12
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Ceramide NP, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-10, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Sucrose Stearate
May Worsen Irritation6
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
May Worsen Eczema6
May worsen itching or irritation for eczema-prone skin.
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
May Worsen Rosacea6
Can trigger flare-ups in rosacea-prone skin.
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf 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
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Cleansing
- Centella asiatica (Cica)
- Barrier Repair
- Redness Reducing
- Reduces Irritation
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Skin Conditioning
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
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
Skin Conditioning
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Skin Conditioning
- Retinoid
- Acne Fighting
- Anti-Aging
- Dark Spots
- Firming
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Smoothing
Glycyrrhiza Glabra
Ceramide NP (in both products)
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.
Water
Antiplaque, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Learn more about Water →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 →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 →Allantoin
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
Learn more about Allantoin →Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 →Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate →Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
.alpha.-d-Glucopyranosiduronic acid, (3.beta.,20.beta.)-20-carboxy-11-oxo-30-norolean-12-en-3-yl 2-O-.beta.-d-glucopyranuronosyl-, dipotassium salt
Learn more about Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate →Disodium EDTA
Chelating, Viscosity Controlling
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
Learn more about Disodium EDTA →Hydrogenated Lecithin
Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Hydrogenated Lecithin →
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