Image: paulaschoice.com
Paula's Choice
Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum with Retinol
A serum built around Vitamin E and Retinoid, for smoothing and barrier repair.
Brand price
USD 31.20 · 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
- Oily skin
- Combination skin
- Fine lines & wrinkles
- Large pores
- Uneven texture
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.
What's inside
Ingredients List
6 trigger at least one check · 18 trigger none
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Retinoid
- Acne Fighting
- Anti-Aging
- Oil Control
- Smoothing
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Retinoid
- Acne Fighting
- Anti-Aging
- Dark Spots
- Firming
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Smoothing
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin C derivative (stable)
- Antioxidant
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Hydrating2
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Barrier Repair8
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycine Soja Oil, Isododecane, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Reduces Irritation3
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Bisabolol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Smoothing9
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycine Soja Oil, Isododecane, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Retinol, Retinyl Palmitate, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
Oil Control6
Reduces shine and excess sebum.
Betula Alba Juice, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Retinol, Retinyl Palmitate, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
Pore Refining5
Makes pores look smaller and cleaner.
Betula Alba Juice, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Retinol, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
Antioxidant5
Shields skin from free radical damage.
Astaxanthin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Sun Protection2
Filters UV to help prevent sun damage.
Anti-Pollution4
Helps defend against airborne pollutants.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Concerns
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Glycine Soja Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, 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 →Isododecane
Perfuming, Emollient, Solvent
2,2,4,6,6-Pentamethylheptane; Hydrocarbons, C4, 1,3-butadiene-free, polymd., triisobutylene fraction, hydrogenated
Learn more about Isododecane →Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising, Hair Fixing, Viscosity Controlling
Dimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone.
Learn more about Dimethicone Crosspolymer →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 →Cyclohexasiloxane
Hair Conditioning, Emollient, Solvent
Cyclohexasiloxane is a silicone.
Learn more about Cyclohexasiloxane →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 →Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate is vitamin E.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate →Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Palmitate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Retinyl Palmitate →Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Retinol is a retinoid.
Learn more about Retinol →Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate →