The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Serum vs Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment

The Inkey List

Paula's Choice

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

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

Serum

23 ingredients

53 ingredients

Brand price

USD 19.00 · 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 EU-allergen-free and Silicone-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Face oil1
An oil formulated to be used on the face.
Squalane
Vitamin C derivative (stable)1
Stable derivatives of ascorbic acid.
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)1
Polysorbate (Tween) emulsifiers.
Polysorbate 60
Vitamin C1
Vitamin C in any form: an antioxidant and brightener.
Ascorbyl Glucoside

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

Hydrating3
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Squalane
Barrier Repair4
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Cetearyl Olivate, Glycerin, Lecithin, Squalane
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Tranexamic Acid
Smoothing3
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Cetearyl Olivate, Lecithin, Squalane

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Sorbitan Isostearate
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis5
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Cetearyl Olivate, Lecithin, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Olivate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Sorbitan Isostearate
May Worsen Oily Skin1
May increase shine or excess oil.
Squalane

Show highlights for:

Aqua
Solvent
0 / —
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin C derivative (stable)
- Antioxidant
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
Tranexamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
- Tranexamic acid
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Redness Reducing
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Viscosity Controlling
Phenoxyethanol (in both products)
Preservative
0 / —
Carbomer (in both products)
Gel Forming
1 / 0

Water
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.

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 →
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 →
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering, Denaturant
Sodium hydroxide
Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide →
Lecithin
Antistatic, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Emulsifying
Lecithin isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Lecithin →
Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →