The Inkey List 10% Niacinamide Serum vs Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment

The Inkey List

Paula's Choice

A serum built around Niacinamide and Panthenol, for barrier repair and hydration.

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

Serum

24 ingredients

53 ingredients

Brand price

USD 13.00 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

USD 48.75 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

At a Glance

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

Face oil1
An oil formulated to be used on the face.
Squalane
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)1
Polysorbate (Tween) emulsifiers.
Polysorbate 60
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid

Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopheryl Acetate
Vitamin C derivative (stable)1
Stable derivatives of ascorbic acid.
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Colloidal oatmeal1
Finely milled oat — an FDA-recognised skin protectant.
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)1
Polysorbate (Tween) emulsifiers.
Polysorbate 20

Hydrating6
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Propanediol, Squalane
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Glycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Glycine Soja Sterols, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Squalane
Reduces Irritation2
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Panthenol
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Niacinamide

May Trigger Acne2
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Glycine Soja Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis5
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Glycine Soja Oil, Glycolipids, Phospholipids, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Glycine Soja Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate
May Worsen Oily Skin2
May increase shine or excess oil.
Glycine Soja Oil, Squalane

Show highlights for:

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Propanediol
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
- Hydrating
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Phenoxyethanol (in both products)
Preservative
0 / —
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Hydroxyethylcellulose (in both products)
Light Stabilizer
0-1 / —
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Squalane
Emollient
1 / 0
- Face oil
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Oily Skin

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
1 / 0
- Silicones
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Smoothing
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Isononyl Isononanoate
Emollient
Castor Isostearate Succinate
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
1 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Emollient
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
0-1 / —
- Silicones
PEG-33
Humectant

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 →
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 →
Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Film Forming, Light Stabilizer, Viscosity Controlling
Cellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl ether
Learn more about Hydroxyethylcellulose →
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
Learn more about Allantoin →
Glycine Soja Sterols
Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Glycine Soja Sterol is a mixture of phytosterols obtained from the Soybean, Glycine soja, Leguminosae
Learn more about Glycine Soja Sterols →