The Inkey List 10% Niacinamide Serum vs Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum

The Inkey List

Paula's Choice

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

A serum built around Hyaluronic acid and Niacinamide, for pollution defence and hydration.

Serum

24 ingredients

28 ingredients

Brand price

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

Brand price

USD 53.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

At a Glance

They come out differently on Silicone-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.
Tocopherol
Vitamin C derivative (stable)1
Stable derivatives of ascorbic acid.
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)1
Polysorbate (Tween) emulsifiers.
Polysorbate 20
Hyaluronic acid1
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Hyaluronic Acid

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

Hydrating6
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Beta-Glucan, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair6
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Resveratrol, Tocopherol
Reduces Irritation2
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Beta-Glucan, Bisabolol
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Bisabolol, 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

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis5
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Phospholipids, Polysorbate 20, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Irritation1
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Tocopherol

Show highlights for:

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide (in both products)
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
Light Stabilizer
0-1 / —
Phospholipids (in both products)
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
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
0-1 / —
- Silicones
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Dimethicone
Emollient
1 / 0
- Silicones
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Smoothing
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Polysorbate 20
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Polysilicone-11
Film Forming
- Silicones
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Cleansing
0-1 / —
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Silicones
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Hyaluronic Acid (in both products)
Humectant
- Hyaluronic acid
- Hydrating
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
- Anti-Aging
- Antioxidant

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 →
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →
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 →
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Phospholipids isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Phospholipids →
Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →
Hyaluronic Acid
Antistatic, Humectant, Moisturising, Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid is a hyaluronic acid.
Learn more about Hyaluronic Acid →