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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream versus Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment US .

Last updated on March 20, 2024. Published on March 20, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both facial treatments. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain 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 need an update? Let us know.

Facial Treatment French Brand France
Facial Treatment American Brand United States

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Price

Shop

Buy RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream

Starts at $74.00
Shop

Buy 1% Retinol Treatment

Starts at $64.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid
Vitamin E
Exfoliators
Peptides (2)

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (3)

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Exfoliators
Ceramides
Hyaluronic Acid
Peptides (4)

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (4)
Reduces Irritation (3)
Skin Texture (2)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots (4)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (4)

Concerns

Drying
Irritating
Eczema (2)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream contains this as ingredient number 11.

Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment US contains this as ingredient number 52.

2
What it does: Masking, Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Benzoic Acid is used to preserve and adjust the pH of products.

The antimicrobial property of Benzoic Acid helps elongate a product's shelf life. Its main role is to reduce fungi growth and is not found to be effective at fighting bacteria. Therefore Benzoic Acid is always added along with other preservatives.

In its pure form, Benzoic Acid looks like a white crystalline solid. It has slight solubility in water.

The name of Benzoic Acid comes from gum benzoin, which used to be the sole source of deriving this ingredient. Benzoic Acid is the most simple aromatic carboxylic acid.

Benzoic Acid is naturally occuring in strawberries, mustard, cinnamon, and cloves. It has a slight scent but is not considered to be a fragrance.

Learn more about Benzoic Acid

Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream contains this as ingredient number 12.

Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment US contains this as ingredient number 53.

3
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA

Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream contains this as ingredient number 13.

Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment US contains this as ingredient number 34.

4
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide

Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream contains this as ingredient number 18.

Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment US contains this as ingredient number 37.

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

12% are loved or liked
28% have mixed ratings
40% are disliked or very disliked
20% have no rating yet
32% are loved or liked
15% have mixed ratings
40% are disliked or very disliked
13% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream 25 ingredients

RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment 53 ingredients

4.5 /5
from 4 ratings
glasscasita's avatar

glasscasita

6 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

Love it
My favorite retinol. Been using it for a year and never had any bad reactions (be sure to follow instructions like starting slow). It's a...

Love it
My favorite retinol. Been using it for a year and never had any bad reactions (be sure to follow instructions like starting slow). It's a bit pricey but worth it

Alternatives

We haven't detected any alternatives for Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream.

Our Dupe Finder has found 4 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment US.

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