AHC Beauty Youth Focus Essence
Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment US
Versus

AHC Beauty Youth Focus Essence Versus Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment - US

Essence
Facial Treatment
Korean Brand South Korea
American Brand United States

Updated on May 25, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 0 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain ceramides, exfoliants, peptides, retinoid and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain oils and silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

New Comparison

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

AHC Beauty Youth Focus Essence 62 ingredients

Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment 53 ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

AHC Beauty Youth Focus Essence 62 ingredients

Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment 53 ingredients

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Youth Focus Essence

Water

Skin Conditioning

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Cyclohexasiloxane

Emollient
Silicon Icon

Dicaprylyl Carbonate

Emollient

Methylpropanediol

Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Betaine

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)

Emollient

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin

Masking

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

PEG-100 Stearate

0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glyceryl Stearate

Emollient
1 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Emulsifying
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Sodium Polyacrylate

Absorbent
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Bisabolol

Masking
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Palmitic Acid

Emollient
2 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Stearic Acid

Cleansing
2-3 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Allantoin

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Tromethamine

Buffering

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Cholesterol

Emollient
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon Icon

Centella Asiatica Extract

Cleansing
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Retinal

Skin Conditioning
Retinoid IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Silica

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Brassica Campestris Sterols

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Humectant
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

PEG-5 Rapeseed Sterol

Cleansing
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Adenosine

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Polyquaternium-51

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Ceteth-5

Emulsifying

Ceteth-3

Emulsifying

Ficus Carica Fruit Extract

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract

Skin Conditioning

Beta-Glucan

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Cyclopentasiloxane

Emollient
Silicon Icon

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate

Emulsion Stabilising

Sucrose Distearate

Emollient
0 / 2 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Panax Ginseng Berry Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Potassium Cetyl Phosphate

Emulsifying

Trideceth-6

Emulsifying

Cetyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 2 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

Bleaching
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Bifida Ferment Lysate

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Carbomer

Emulsion Stabilising
1 / 0

Carnosine

Skin Conditioning
Helps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Ceramide NP

Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Myristic Acid

Cleansing
3 / 0 Bad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone

Emulsifying
Silicon Icon

Niacinamide

Smoothing
Niacinamide IconGood for Oily Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Disodium EDTA

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8

Humectant
Peptide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Water, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Tocopheryl Acetate, Butylene Glycol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Bisabolol, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cholesterol, Dimethicone, Centella Asiatica Extract, Retinal, Silica, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, PEG-5 Rapeseed Sterol, Adenosine, Polyquaternium-51, Ceteth-5, Ceteth-3, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Beta-Glucan, Cyclopentasiloxane, Tocopherol, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Sucrose Distearate, Panax Ginseng Berry Extract, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Trideceth-6, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Carbomer, Carnosine, Ceramide NP, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Myristic Acid, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Disodium EDTA, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4

1% Retinol Treatment

Water

Skin Conditioning

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Isononyl Isononanoate

Emollient

Castor Isostearate Succinate

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glyceryl Stearate

Emollient
1 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

Antimicrobial

Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

PEG-33

Humectant

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Behenyl Alcohol

Emollient
Fatty Alcohol Icon

PEG-100 Stearate

0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate

Emollient
2 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polymethylsilsesquioxane

Silicon Icon

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Retinol

Skin Conditioning
Retinoid IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Ceramide Ng

Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Humectant
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

Bleaching
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Avena Sativa Kernel Extract

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Arctium Lappa Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil Icon

Salix Alba Extract

Skin Conditioning

Glycine Soja Sterols

Emollient
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Lecithin

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Allantoin

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

Hydrolyzed Soy Protein

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Sorbitan Laurate

Emulsifying
1-2 / 1-2 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Disodium EDTA

Hydroxyethylcellulose

Emulsion Stabilising

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Tribehenin

Emollient
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning

PEG-75 Shea Butter Glycerides

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer

Emollient

PEG-10 Phytosterol

Emulsifying

PEG-8 Dimethicone

Emulsifying
Silicon Icon

PEG-14

Humectant

Magnesium Aluminum Silicate

Absorbent
0 / 0

Arachidyl Glucoside

Emulsifying

Arachidyl Alcohol

Emollient

Sclerotium Gum

Emulsion Stabilising

Carbomer

Emulsion Stabilising
1 / 0

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Benzoic Acid

Masking
Preservative IconMay worsen Eczema Icon

Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Castor Isostearate Succinate, Glyceryl Stearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, PEG-33, Polysorbate 20, Behenyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Retinol, Ceramide Ng, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Arctium Lappa Seed Oil, Salix Alba Extract, Glycine Soja Sterols, Lecithin, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Sorbitan Laurate, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Sodium Hydroxide, Tribehenin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-75 Shea Butter Glycerides, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, PEG-10 Phytosterol, PEG-8 Dimethicone, PEG-14, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Arachidyl Glucoside, Arachidyl Alcohol, Sclerotium Gum, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid

Ingredient Ratings

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.

Youth Focus Essence
10
10
10
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated
Unlock with Premium
1% Retinol Treatment
10
10
10
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated
Unlock with Premium

When to use

AHC Beauty Youth Focus Essence 62 ingredients

Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment 53 ingredients

3 Routines
0% use in am
100% use in pm
67% use every day
428 Routines
7% use in am
92% use in pm
64% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

AHC Beauty Youth Focus Essence 62 ingredients

4.00
Overall rating
5
4
3
2
1
What people say
Absorbs Well 100% Expensive 100% Works Well 100%

Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment 53 ingredients

4.50
Overall rating
5
4
3
2
1
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