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Paula's Choice
1% Retinol Treatment
A serum built around Vitamin C derivative and Vitamin C, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 48.75 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · on the brand's site
From the brand
What the brand says about this product. Our ingredient analysis follows below.
The brand recommends it for
- Dry skin
- Normal skin
- Sensitive skin
- Dark spots & pigmentation
- Fine lines & wrinkles
- Dullness
- Large pores
- Uneven texture
How to use
STEP 4: TREATMENT - Visibly Improve Signs of Aging When To Apply After cleansing, toning & exfoliating. Start with 3x/week & gradually increase frequency to every night as tolerated. For daytime, always finish with sunscreen . How To Apply Smooth 1–2 pea-sized pumps over face & neck, avoiding contact with eyes. Note: Some people may experience a delayed sensitized reaction to 1% retinol. Do not assume that if no reaction is seen after a few applications that you can apply this product more frequently. Pay close attention to how your skin responds and adjust usage accordingly.
Caution
Note: Some people may experience a delayed sensitized reaction to 1% retinol. Do not assume that if no reaction is seen after a few applications that you can apply this product more frequently. Pay close attention to how your skin responds and adjust usage accordingly.
What's inside
Ingredients List
23 trigger at least one check · 30 trigger none
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Key Ingredients
Hyaluronic acid1
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Peptides2
Short amino-acid chains used as signalling actives.
Benefits
Hydrating8
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, PEG-14, PEG-33, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair16
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Behenyl Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja Sterols, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Isononyl Isononanoate, Lecithin, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer, Tribehenin
Reduces Irritation5
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Anti-Aging3
Softens lines and helps skin look youthful.
Smoothing16
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Allantoin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Behenyl Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja Sterols, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Isononyl Isononanoate, Lecithin, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer, Retinol, Tribehenin
Brightening3
Restores radiance to dull, tired skin.
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Dark Spots3
Fades dark spots for a more even tone.
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Retinol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant3
Shields skin from free radical damage.
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate
Anti-Pollution6
Helps defend against airborne pollutants.
Allantoin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate
Concerns
May Trigger Acne2
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis19
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Arachidyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Behenyl Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Castor Isostearate Succinate, Ceramide Ng, Glyceryl Stearate, Lecithin, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-75 Shea Butter Glycerides, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Laurate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tribehenin
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Ingredients Explained
Click on any ingredient to learn more about it
Water
Antiplaque, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Learn more about Water →Dimethicone
Antifoaming, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Skin Protecting
Dimethicone is a silicone.
Learn more about Dimethicone →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 →Isononyl Isononanoate
Antistatic, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
3,5,5-Trimethylhexyl 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoate
Learn more about Isononyl Isononanoate →Castor Isostearate Succinate
Skin Conditioning
Castor Isostearate Succinate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Castor Isostearate Succinate →Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient, Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate →C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate →Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising, Hair Fixing, Viscosity Controlling
Dimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone.
Learn more about Dimethicone Crosspolymer →PEG-33
Humectant, Solvent
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-hydro-.omega.-hydroxy-, (33 mol EO average molar ratio)
Learn more about PEG-33 →
Dupes
- Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Booster63% match
- No7 Pure Retinol 1% Night Concentrate62% match
- No7 Pure Retinol 0.3% Retinol Night Concentrate61% match
- Anua Nano Retinol™ 0.3% + Niacin Renewing Serum61% match