Paula's Choice
1% Retinol BoosterA serum built around Niacinamide and Centella asiatica, for soothing irritation and reducing redness.
A serum built around Retinoid and Ceramide, for barrier repair and hydration.
Brand price
USD 129.00 · checked 28 Sept 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 55.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
At a Glance
They come out differently on Oil-free; that row is shaded. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
Centella asiatica (Cica)5
Centella asiatica (cica), used to calm irritation.
Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside
Hyaluronic acid1
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Benefits
Hydrating5
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide MEA, Niacinamide, Panthenol
Reduces Irritation7
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Centella Asiatica Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside, Panthenol
Redness Reducing7
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Centella Asiatica Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus 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 Dermatitis1
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
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
Skin Conditioning
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Cleansing
- Centella asiatica (Cica)
- Barrier Repair
- Redness Reducing
- Reduces Irritation
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
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 →Disodium EDTA
Chelating, Viscosity Controlling
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
Learn more about Disodium EDTA →
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