Paula's Choice
1% Retinol BoosterA serum built around Hyaluronic acid, for barrier repair and smoothing.
A serum built around Retinoid and Ceramide, for barrier repair and hydration.
Brand price
USD 32.99 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 55.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

At a Glance

They come out differently on Pore-clogger-free and Vegan; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients

Hyaluronic acid1
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.

Benefits

Hydrating3
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Coconut Alkanes, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glucomannan, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Smoothing4
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Coconut Alkanes, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
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 Trigger Acne3
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Cocos Nucifera Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis7
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Coconut Alkanes, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polyurethane-79, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Trihydroxystearin
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Cocos Nucifera Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
May Worsen Oily Skin2
May increase shine or excess 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

Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
0-2 / 0
- Face oil
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Skin Conditioning
4 / 0
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
4 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Skin Conditioning
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
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