Vitamin C & E Serum
1% Retinol Booster

SkinCeuticals

Vitamin C & E Serum

Paula's Choice

1% Retinol Booster

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

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

Serum
Serum
18 ingredients
27 ingredients

Brand price

USD 185.00 · checked 28 Sept 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

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

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At a Glance

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

Key Ingredients

  • Vitamin E1

    Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.

    Tocopherol

  • Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)1

    L-ascorbic acid, the unesterified form of vitamin C.

    Ascorbic Acid

  • Panthenol (provitamin B5)1

    Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.

    Panthenol

  • AHA1

    Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.

    Citric 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

Benefits

Concerns

  • May Trigger Acne2

    Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.

    Laureth-23, Tocopherol

  • May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis1

    May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.

    Laureth-23

  • May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2

    May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.

    Laureth-23, Tocopherol

  • May Worsen Irritation1

    May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.

    Tocopherol

Ingredients Side-by-side

Show highlights for:

  • Aqua

    Solvent

    0 / —

  • Ethoxydiglycol

    Humectant

    0 / 0

  • Ascorbic Acid

    Antioxidant

    • Vitamin C
    • Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)
    • Anti-Aging
    • Anti-Pollution
    • Antioxidant
    • Brightening
    • Dark Spots
    • Even Tone

  • Glycerin (in both products)

    Humectant

    0 / 0

    • Possibly animal-derived
    • Hydrating

  • Propylene Glycol

    Humectant

    0 / 0

  • Laureth-23

    Cleansing

    3 / 0

    • Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
    • May Trigger Acne
    • May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
    • May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

  • Tocopherol

    Occlusive

    0-3 / 3

    • Vitamin E
    • Anti-Pollution
    • Antioxidant
    • May Trigger Acne
    • May Worsen Irritation
    • May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris

  • Phenoxyethanol (in both products)

    Preservative

    0 / —

  • Sodium Hydroxide

    Buffering

    0 / —

  • Ferulic Acid

    Antioxidant

    • Ferulic acid
    • Antioxidant

  • Water

    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

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

  • 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 →

  • Phenoxyethanol

    Antimicrobial, Preservative

    Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:

    Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →

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