RoC Even Tone Roll-On Serum vs Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Booster

RoC

Paula's Choice

A serum built around Tranexamic acid and PHA, for barrier repair and smoothing.

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

Serum

35 ingredients

27 ingredients

Brand price

USD 37.99 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

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

No retailer listed yet

At a Glance

They come out differently on Fragrance-free, EU-allergen-free and Oil-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

PHA1
Polyhydroxy acids — larger and milder than AHAs.
Lactobionic Acid
Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)1
Polysorbate (Tween) emulsifiers.
Polysorbate 60
AHA2
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid
Lactic acid1
An AHA that also acts as a humectant.
Lactic Acid

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

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

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Sorbitan Isostearate
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis10
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Arachidyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetyl Tranexamate Mesylate, Kojic Dipalmitate, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Sebacate, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Sorbitan Isostearate
May Worsen Irritation3
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Fragrance, Linalyl Acetate, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes

Show highlights for:

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
C13-15 Alkane
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Occlusive
1 / 1
Tranexamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
- Tranexamic acid
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Redness Reducing
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Isopentyldiol
Solvent
0-1 / —
Lactobionic Acid
Buffering
0-1 / —
- PHA
- Exfoliating
- Hydrating
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
0 / —
- AHA
- Mandelic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Dark Spots
- Exfoliating
- Smoothing
Cetyl Tranexamate Mesylate
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin (in both products)
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
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

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 →
Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →