Paula's Choice
1% Retinol BoosterA serum built around Vitamin E and PHA, for barrier repair and hydration.
A serum built around Retinoid and Ceramide, for barrier repair and hydration.
Brand price
USD 35.00 · 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 Oil-free; 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

Hydrating6
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Squalene, Tocopherol
Smoothing4
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Citric Acid, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Squalene
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 Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis2
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters, Phytosteryl Macadamiate
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

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
Skin Conditioning
Skin Conditioning
Skin Conditioning
Skin Conditioning
Water (in both products)
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
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 →Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →
Similar Comparisons
Each product against its closest dupes.
- View the comparison

Skinfix
Triple Lipid-Hyaluronate Serum

Skinfix
Brighten + Firm 15% Vitamin C Serum
- View the comparison

Paula's Choice
1% Retinol Booster

Paula's Choice
1% Retinol Treatment
- View the comparison

Skinfix
Triple Lipid-Hyaluronate Serum

The Inkey List
PDRN Serum
- View the comparison

Paula's Choice
1% Retinol Booster

Isntree
Hyper Retinol EX 1.0 Serum