Paula's Choice
1% Retinol TreatmentA serum built around Niacinamide and Panthenol, for hydration and barrier repair.
A serum built around Vitamin C derivative and Vitamin C, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 215.00 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 48.75 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

At a Glance

They come out differently on Fragrance-free, EU-allergen-free, Pore-clogger-free, Oil-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
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 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 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

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Humectant
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Behenyl Alcohol (in both products)
Emollient
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- 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
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.
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 →Behenyl Alcohol
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Emollient, Viscosity Controlling
Behenyl Alcohol isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Behenyl Alcohol →Carbomer
Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling
2-Propenoic acid, polymer with 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol 2-propenyl ether
Learn more about Carbomer →Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →Arachidyl Alcohol
Emulsion Stabilising, Emollient, Viscosity Controlling
Arachidyl Alcohol isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Arachidyl Alcohol →Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →Arachidyl Glucoside
Cleansing, Emulsifying
Arachidyl Glucoside isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Arachidyl Glucoside →Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Retinol is a retinoid.
Learn more about Retinol →
Similar Comparisons
Each product against its closest dupes.
- View the comparison

Sulwhasoo
Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Serum

Sulwhasoo
The Ultimate S Infusion Treatment
- View the comparison

Paula's Choice
1% Retinol Treatment

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

Sulwhasoo
Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Serum

Sulwhasoo
Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Ampoule
- View the comparison

Paula's Choice
1% Retinol Treatment

No7
Pure Retinol 1% Night Concentrate