Medik8 R-Retinoate Intense Versus Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Booster
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free facial treatments. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain ceramides, exfoliants, peptides, retinoid and Vitamin C
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, parabens or sulfates
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
Medik8 R-Retinoate Intense 68 ingredients
Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Booster 29 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Medik8 R-Retinoate Intense 68 ingredients
Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Booster 29 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Isododecane
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolylactic Acid
Abrasive
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentPPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cholesteryl Nonanoate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Canola Oil
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Alumina
Abrasive
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Lecithin
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLinoleic Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Phytosterols
Skin ConditioningLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Sodium Polyaspartate
HumectantPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14
Skin Conditioning
Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
C12-16 Alcohols
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPolyvinyl Alcohol
Phenylpropanol
Masking
BHT
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Isododecane, Squalane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Olivate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polylactic Acid, Cyclodextrin, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Titanium Dioxide, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Cholesteryl Nonanoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Canola Oil, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Retinal, Retinyl Retinoate, Citric Acid, Alumina, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Stearic Acid, Ceramide AP, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Linoleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Ceramide NP, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Disodium EDTA, Phytosterols, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Sodium Polyaspartate, Phytosphingosine, Parfum, Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14, Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate, Ceramide EOP, Cholesterol, C12-16 Alcohols, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Phenylpropanol, BHT, Limonene, Linalool, Citral
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-7 Triacetate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes
Emollient
Isopentyldiol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Behenate/Eicosadioate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingBis-Glyceryl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycereth-7 Triacetate, Glycerin, Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes, Isopentyldiol, Polyglyceryl-10 Behenate/Eicosadioate, Butylene Glycol, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Polysorbate 20, Retinol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Ceramide NP, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Bis-Glyceryl Ascorbate, Disodium EDTA, Sorbic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol
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 WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinButylene 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.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumCeramide NP is a type of ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP
Learn more about Ceramide NPDisodium 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 EDTACaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolHydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.
This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Ingredient Ratings
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When to use
Medik8 R-Retinoate Intense 68 ingredients
Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Booster 29 ingredients
