Paula's Choice
Discoloration Repair SerumA serum built around Tranexamic acid and PHA, for barrier repair and smoothing.
A serum built around Niacinamide and Tranexamic acid, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 37.99 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 59.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

At a Glance

They come out differently on Fragrance-free, EU-allergen-free, Pore-clogger-free and Oil-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
Hydrating4
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair15
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Bakuchiol, Behenyl Alcohol, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja Oil, Glycine Soja Sterols, Lecithin, Niacinamide, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil, Tocopherol
Redness Reducing3
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 Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis7
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Behenyl Alcohol, Ethyl Macadamiate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lecithin, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
C13-15 Alkane (in both products)
Solvent
Tranexamic Acid (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
- Tranexamic acid
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Redness Reducing
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
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Tranexamic Acid (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
- Tranexamic acid
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Redness Reducing
C13-15 Alkane (in both products)
Solvent
Emollient
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Behenyl Alcohol (in both products)
Emollient
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
1 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- 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 →C13-15 Alkane
Solvent
C13-15 Alkane is a mixture of alkanes with 13 to 15 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain
Learn more about C13-15 Alkane →Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Fragrance, Perfuming, Occlusive, Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is the mixed triester of glycerin and caprylic and capric acids.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride →Tranexamic Acid
Astringent, Skin Conditioning
Tranexamic Acid is tranexamic acid.
Learn more about Tranexamic Acid →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 →Behenyl Alcohol
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Emollient, Viscosity Controlling
Behenyl Alcohol isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Behenyl Alcohol →Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →Sodium Phytate
Chelating, Oral Care
Myo-Inositol, hexakis(dihydrogen phosphate), sodium salt
Learn more about Sodium Phytate →
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