SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense Serum vs Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster

SkinCeuticals

Paula's Choice

A serum built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for smoothing and barrier repair.

A serum built around Niacinamide and Vitamin C derivative, for hydration and barrier repair.

Serum

19 ingredients

27 ingredients

Brand price

USD 115.00 · checked 28 Sept 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

USD 53.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

At a Glance

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

Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol
AHA2
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid, Glycolic Acid
BHA1
Beta hydroxy acid — oil-soluble, so it works inside the pore.
Salicylic Acid
Glycolic acid1
The smallest AHA, and so the most penetrating.
Glycolic Acid

Vitamin C derivative (stable)1
Stable derivatives of ascorbic acid.
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)1
Polysorbate (Tween) emulsifiers.
Polysorbate 20
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid

Hydrating2
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair3
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Diisopropyl Adipate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol
Anti-Aging1
Softens lines and helps skin look youthful.
Glycolic Acid
Smoothing5
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Citric Acid, Diisopropyl Adipate, Glycolic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Salicylic Acid

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis1
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Oily Skin1
May increase shine or excess oil.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Phospholipids, Polysorbate 20

Show highlights for:

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Dark Spots
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin C derivative (stable)
- Antioxidant
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
0 / 0
- Hyaluronic acid
- Hydrating
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Reduces Irritation
- Smoothing
Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Skin Protecting
Glycerin
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Citric Acid
Buffering, Chelating, Fragrance
Citric Acid is an AHA.
Learn more about Citric Acid →
Water
Antiplaque, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Learn more about Water →
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering, Denaturant
Sodium hydroxide
Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide →