Paula's Choice
1% Retinol TreatmentA serum built around Niacinamide and Centella asiatica, for hydration and barrier repair.
A serum built around Vitamin C derivative and Vitamin C, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
AUD 21.90 · checked 5 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 48.75 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
At a Glance
They come out differently on Pore-clogger-free; that row is shaded. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
Ceramide3
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.
Centella asiatica (Cica)1
Centella asiatica (cica), used to calm irritation.
Benefits
Hydrating16
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Ectoin, Glucose, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Maris Aqua, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair15
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Bifida Ferment Lysate, Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopherol
Reduces Irritation4
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Bisabolol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Panthenol
Redness Reducing3
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Hydrating8
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, PEG-14, PEG-33, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair16
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Behenyl Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja Sterols, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Isononyl Isononanoate, Lecithin, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer, Tribehenin
Reduces Irritation5
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Concerns
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis10
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Hydrogenated Lecithin, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
May Trigger Acne2
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis19
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Arachidyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Behenyl Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Castor Isostearate Succinate, Ceramide Ng, Glyceryl Stearate, Lecithin, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-75 Shea Butter Glycerides, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Laurate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tribehenin
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Ingredients Side-by-side
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Cleansing
- Centella asiatica (Cica)
- Barrier Repair
- Redness Reducing
- Reduces Irritation
Skin Conditioning
Isononyl Isononanoate (in both products)
Emollient
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
1 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Humectant
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 →Dimethicone
Antifoaming, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Skin Protecting
Dimethicone is a silicone.
Learn more about Dimethicone →Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
Learn more about Pentylene Glycol →Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate is a hyaluronic acid.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate →Isononyl Isononanoate
Antistatic, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
3,5,5-Trimethylhexyl 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoate
Learn more about Isononyl Isononanoate →
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