The Ordinary
Marine HyaluronicsPaula's Choice
10% Niacinamide BoosterA serum built around Lactic acid and BHA, for hydration and smoothing.
A serum built around Niacinamide and Vitamin C derivative, for hydration and barrier repair.
Brand price
USD 8.28 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 53.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
At a Glance
They come out differently on Vegan; that row is shaded. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Hydrating9
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Algae Extract, Ethoxydiglycol, Glycerin, Histidine, PCA, Propanediol, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA
Barrier Repair3
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Smoothing5
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Algae Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Lactate
Hydrating7
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Beta-Glucan, Butylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycerin, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Niacinamide, Panthenol
Reduces Irritation5
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Beta-Glucan, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Panthenol
Redness Reducing3
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Concerns
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis1
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Ingredients Side-by-side
Emollient
Pseudoalteromonas Exopolysaccharides
Skin Conditioning
Skin Conditioning
Skin Conditioning
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Dark Spots
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Skin Protecting
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 →Citric Acid
Buffering, Chelating, Fragrance
Citric Acid is an AHA.
Learn more about Citric Acid →Polysorbate 20
Cleansing, Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20 isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20 →Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →Caprylyl Glycol
Deodorant, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol is the diol that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol →
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