The Inkey List
PDRN SerumPaula's Choice
1% Retinol BoosterA serum built around Vitamin E, for hydration and barrier repair.
A serum built around Retinoid and Ceramide, for barrier repair and hydration.
Brand price
USD 18.00 · 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 Pore-clogger-free and Vegan; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients

Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.

Benefits

Hydrating7
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Propanediol, Sodium Lactate, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Tocopherol, Tribehenin PEG-20 Esters
Smoothing6
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Sodium Lactate, Tribehenin PEG-20 Esters
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 Dermatitis6
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, C8-12 Acid Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Tribehenin PEG-20 Esters
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
May Worsen Oily Skin2
May increase shine or excess oil.
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
Emollient
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Skin Conditioning
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
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
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 →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 →Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →
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