Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion vs Paula's Choice 5% Niacinamide Body Serum

Vanicream

Paula's Choice

A body lotion, for barrier repair and smoothing.

A body lotion built around Panthenol and Niacinamide, for barrier repair and smoothing.

Body lotion

11 ingredients

37 ingredients

Brand price

Not recorded · brand's site

Brand price

USD 37.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

At a Glance

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

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

Face oil1
An oil formulated to be used on the face.
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid

Hydrating3
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Petrolatum, Propylene Glycol, Sorbitol
Barrier Repair5
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Petrolatum, Propylene Glycol, Simethicone
Smoothing4
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Petrolatum, Simethicone
Antioxidant1
Shields skin from free radical damage.
BHT

May Trigger Acne2
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis4
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-30 Stearate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol
May Worsen Oily Skin1
May increase shine or excess oil.
Petrolatum

Show highlights for:

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Petrolatum
Emollient
0 / —
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Oily Skin
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
0 / 0
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
2 / 1
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sorbitol
Humectant
0 / 0
- Hydrating
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
2 / 3
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Simethicone
Emollient
1 / 0
- Silicones
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
1 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
PEG-30 Stearate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sorbic Acid
Preservative

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Panthenol (provitamin B5)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Reduces Irritation
Niacinamide
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Occlusive
1 / 1
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
5 / 2
- Esters listed as pore-clogging in animal testing only
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
0-1 / —
Glycerin
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
C13-15 Alkane
Solvent
Squalene
Emollient
- Animal-derived
- Possibly animal-derived

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 →

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