Paula's Choice
1% Retinol TreatmentA serum built around Tranexamic acid and PHA, for barrier repair and smoothing.
A serum built around Vitamin C derivative and Vitamin C, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 37.99 · 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 Fragrance-free, EU-allergen-free and Silicone-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Hydrating4
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Lactobionic Acid
Barrier Repair8
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Kojic Dipalmitate, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Vitis Vinifera Flower Extract
Smoothing8
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Kojic Dipalmitate, Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Vitis Vinifera Flower Extract
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 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.
May Worsen Irritation3
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Fragrance, Linalyl Acetate, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
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
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Solvent
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Water (in both products)
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.
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 →Behenyl Alcohol
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Emollient, Viscosity Controlling
Behenyl Alcohol isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Behenyl Alcohol →Arachidyl Glucoside
Cleansing, Emulsifying
Arachidyl Glucoside isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Arachidyl Glucoside →Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
Learn more about Pentylene Glycol →Arachidyl Alcohol
Emulsion Stabilising, Emollient, Viscosity Controlling
Arachidyl Alcohol isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Arachidyl Alcohol →
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