Paula's Choice
1% Retinol BoosterA serum built around Niacinamide and Panthenol, for hydration and barrier repair.
A serum built around Retinoid and Ceramide, for barrier repair and hydration.
Brand price
USD 215.00 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 55.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

At a Glance

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

Key Ingredients

Hyaluronic acid3
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer

Benefits

Hydrating19
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Acetyl Heptapeptide-4, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Jojoba Esters, Mannitol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Panthenol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Propanediol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Polyaspartate, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair16
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Betaine, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glycine Soja Oil, Jojoba Esters, Niacinamide, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Seed Oil, Panthenol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Phytosphingosine, Tocopherol
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 Dermatitis15
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Heptapeptide-4, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Arachidyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycine Soja Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Jojoba Esters, Panax Ginseng Seed Oil, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
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
Humectant
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Skin Conditioning
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
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
Retinol (in both products)
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 →Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
Learn more about Butylene Glycol →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 →Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Retinol is a retinoid.
Learn more about Retinol →Hydrogenated Lecithin
Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Hydrogenated Lecithin →Caprylyl Glycol
Deodorant, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol is the diol that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol →
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