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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Drunk Elephant B-Hydra™ Intensive Hydration Serum versus Paula's Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on May 10, 2021

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 hyaluronic acid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and sensitive skin

Free From

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

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

Serum American Brand United States
Facial Treatment American Brand United States

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

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 B-Hydra™ Intensive Hydration Serum

Starts at $49.00
Shop

Buy Hyaluronic Acid Booster

Starts at $39.00

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

Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid (2)

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Reduces Large Pores
Dark Spots (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (5)
Redness Reducing (4)
Reduces Irritation (4)
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging (5)
Scar Healing (2)
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Irritating
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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: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Drunk Elephant B-Hydra™ Intensive Hydration Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

Paula's Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Glycerin

Drunk Elephant B-Hydra™ Intensive Hydration Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.

Paula's Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Panthenol (also referred to as pro-vitamin B5) is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin.

lt is a humectant, meaning that it helps the skin attract and retain moisture.

Another benefit is the anti-inflammatory abilities. This means that it's great for sensitive, irritation-prone skin.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

Learn more about Panthenol

Drunk Elephant B-Hydra™ Intensive Hydration Serum contains this as ingredient number 14.

Paula's Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster contains this as ingredient number 12.

4
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate

Drunk Elephant B-Hydra™ Intensive Hydration Serum contains this as ingredient number 20.

Paula's Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster contains this as ingredient number 3.

5
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.

Drunk Elephant B-Hydra™ Intensive Hydration Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.

Paula's Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster contains this as ingredient number 22.

6
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

Drunk Elephant B-Hydra™ Intensive Hydration Serum contains this as ingredient number 25.

Paula's Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster contains this as ingredient number 18.

7
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Drunk Elephant B-Hydra™ Intensive Hydration Serum contains this as ingredient number 28.

Paula's Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster contains this as ingredient number 21.

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

50% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
25% are disliked or very disliked
14% have no rating yet
55% are loved or liked
18% have mixed ratings
23% are disliked or very disliked
5% 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

Drunk Elephant B-Hydra™ Intensive Hydration Serum 28 ingredients

3.7 /5
from 3 reviews
Lapaki's Avatar'
Apr 23, 2023

Great vitamin B serum
This hydrating serum contains vitamin B (B3 niacinamide and B5 panthenol / pantothenic acid), an antioxidant that nourishes skin and treats several signs of ageing. It's also filled with pineapple ceramides, a...

Great vitamin B serum
This hydrating serum contains vitamin B (B3 niacinamide and B5 panthenol / pantothenic acid), an antioxidant that nourishes skin and treats several signs of ageing. It's also filled with pineapple ceramides, a lentil-apple-and-watermelon complex, and other nourishing ingredients. Regular use results in smoother, plumper, and brighter skin. The serum works very well for my dry skin, doesn't pill with other products, is scentless, has a great consistency, and is fantastic to mix with other DE products into "smoothies" instead of layering. Will continue using it in my winter routines / colder months, when I use DE products the most. [Edited]

Schadua's Avatar'
Mar 30, 2024

I mean, it is great, maybe for dry skin not enough hydration. It didn’t cause me breakouts or irritation, but overall, it’s okay. However, for the price, there are definitely better options. It does what it’s supposed to do.

I mean, it is great, maybe for dry skin not enough hydration. It didn’t cause me breakouts or irritation, but overall, it’s okay. However, for the price, there are definitely better options. It does what it’s supposed to do.

Expensive
Hydrating
Absorbs Well

Paula's Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster 22 ingredients

Hyaluronic Acid Booster hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

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