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Paula's Choice
Intensive Wrinkle-Repair Retinol Serum
A serum built around Vitamin C derivative and Vitamin C, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 47.20 · 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
- Dark spots & pigmentation
- Fine lines & wrinkles
- Dryness & dehydration
How to use
Smooth a few drops onto face, neck and eye area before moisturizer (or use alone). For optimal results, use AM and PM. For daytime, follow with a broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 30 or greater.
Caution
Prior to first use, spot test for sensitivity.
What's inside
Ingredients List
8 trigger at least one check · 13 trigger none
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin C derivative (stable)
- Antioxidant
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Retinoid
- Acne Fighting
- Anti-Aging
- Dark Spots
- Firming
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Smoothing
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Hydrating5
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethiconol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Squalane, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair12
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dimethiconol, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Lecithin, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Squalane, Tocopherol
Reduces Irritation3
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Bisabolol, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Smoothing10
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dimethiconol, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Lecithin, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Retinol, Squalane
Antioxidant3
Shields skin from free radical damage.
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopherol
Anti-Pollution3
Helps defend against airborne pollutants.
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopherol
Concerns
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis4
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Lecithin, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
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
Cyclopentasiloxane
Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Solvent
Cyclopentasiloxane is a silicone.
Learn more about Cyclopentasiloxane →Dimethiconol
Antifoaming, Moisturising, Emollient
Dimethiconol is a silicone.
Learn more about Dimethiconol →Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate is the diester of neopentyl glycol and heptanoic acid. It conforms to the formula
Learn more about Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate →Dicaprylyl Carbonate
Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Carbonic Acid, Dicaprylyl Ester
Learn more about Dicaprylyl Carbonate →Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Fragrance, Perfuming, Occlusive, Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is the mixed triester of glycerin and caprylic and capric acids.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride →Phenyl Trimethicone
Antifoaming, Hair Conditioning, Occlusive
Phenyl Trimethicone is a silicone.
Learn more about Phenyl Trimethicone →Squalane
Hair Conditioning, Refatting, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Squalane is a face oil.
Learn more about Squalane →Bisabolol
Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Soothing
(R*,R*)-.alpha.,4-dimethyl-.alpha.-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)cyclohex-3-ene-1-methanol; 3-Cyclohexene-1-methanol, alpha,4-dimethyl-alpha-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-, (theta,theta)-(+/-)-; 3-Cyclohexene-1-methanol, alpha,4-dimethyl-alpha-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-, (S-(theta,theta))- (levomenol)
Learn more about Bisabolol →Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate →Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Retinol is a retinoid.
Learn more about Retinol →
Dupes
- Paula's Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum with Retinol63% match
- The Derma Co 0.3% Retinol Serum61% match
- The Derma Co 0.1% Retinol Serum61% match