Naturium The Smoother Glycolic Acid Body Lotion Versus Paula's Choice 5% Niacinamide Body Serum
Updated on February 13, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils
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
Naturium The Smoother Glycolic Acid Body Lotion 25 ingredients
Paula's Choice 5% Niacinamide Body Serum 38 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Naturium The Smoother Glycolic Acid Body Lotion 25 ingredients
Paula's Choice 5% Niacinamide Body Serum 38 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingOlus Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
C13-15 Alkane
SolventMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit/Seed Oil
Antimicrobial
Candelilla Cera
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Xylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycolic Acid, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Sodium Hydroxide, Olus Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, C13-15 Alkane, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit/Seed Oil, Candelilla Cera, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
C13-15 Alkane
SolventSqualene
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
Emollient
Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate
Emulsifying
Propanediol
SolventSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
EmollientPullulan
Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
Abrasive
Pantolactone
HumectantSodium Phytate
Silica
Abrasive
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingBacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Myristyl Myristate, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, C13-15 Alkane, Squalene, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Propanediol, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Sclerotium Gum, Lecithin, Pullulan, Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Pantolactone, Sodium Phytate, Silica, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Bacillus Ferment, 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 WaterButyrospermum Parkii Butter is a plant lipid from the fruit of the Shea Tree. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. It does this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Shea butter is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may harm the body. It is also full of fatty acids including stearic acid and linoleic acid. These acids help replenish the skin and keep skin moisturized.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
Shea butter may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterGlycerin 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 GlycerinC13-15 Alkane is a group of alkanes with 13 to 15 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain.
It is a solvent and texture enhancer. Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
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 GumEthylhexylglycerin (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.
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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Naturium The Smoother Glycolic Acid Body Lotion 25 ingredients
Paula's Choice 5% Niacinamide Body Serum 38 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Naturium The Smoother Glycolic Acid Body Lotion 25 ingredients
Similar to Naturium's Glycolic Acid Body Wash, this is a must for those with body acne, rough texture and hyperpigmentation and pairs really well with it! This product is also fragrance free so, it's perfect for my sensitive skin for every day use as I personally haven't experienced irritation. As far as the effectiveness, this was very helpful in fading the scaring and darker areas of skin that I Show more
it makes your skin soft and smooth but it isnt the best lotion for eczema. even though i have some little patches, i will still continue to use it on other parts of my body!
