Dr Sam’s Flawless Nightly Serum Versus Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment - US
Updated on March 20, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain retinoid
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 parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Dr Sam’s Flawless Nightly Serum 20 ingredients
Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment 53 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Dr Sam’s Flawless Nightly Serum 20 ingredients
Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment 53 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventBakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Tapioca Starch
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Azelaic Acid, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Ethoxydiglycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Bakuchiol, Tapioca Starch, Benzyl Alcohol, Allantoin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Disodium EDTA, Dehydroacetic Acid, Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCastor Isostearate Succinate
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-33
HumectantPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Arctium Lappa Seed Oil
Emollient
Salix Alba Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Lecithin
EmollientAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantSorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTribehenin
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPEG-75 Shea Butter Glycerides
Emulsifying
PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
EmollientPEG-10 Phytosterol
EmulsifyingPEG-8 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
PEG-14
HumectantMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
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
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinAllantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.
Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
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 EDTAPolymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Dr Sam’s Flawless Nightly Serum 20 ingredients
Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment 53 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Dr Sam’s Flawless Nightly Serum 20 ingredients
When I use this I wake up with tight, uncomfortable skin. My smile wrinkles show more than when I go to bed with just a moisturiser. I can't recommend it for folks with atopic skin.
Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment 53 ingredients
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
