Necessaire The Body Retinol Versus Paula's Choice Skin Revealing Body Lotion 10% AHA
Updated on February 18, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for 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
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
Necessaire The Body Retinol 48 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Revealing Body Lotion 10% AHA 23 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Necessaire The Body Retinol 48 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Revealing Body Lotion 10% AHA 23 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCoconut Alkanes
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Propanediol
SolventSilica
Abrasive
Silica Silylate
EmollientMagnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantNiacinamide
Smoothing
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-11
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract
Antioxidant
Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
C13-14 Alkane
SolventC15-23 Alkane
SolventTricaprylin
Masking
Acetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Lecithin
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Carbonate
BufferingSodium Chloride
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Water, Glycolic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Coconut Alkanes, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Propanediol, Silica, Silica Silylate, Magnesium Stearate, Niacinamide, Retinol, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Tocopherol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, C13-14 Alkane, C15-23 Alkane, Tricaprylin, Acetyl Glutamine, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Lecithin, Citric Acid, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citronellol, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG-100 Stearate
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentEpilobium Angustifolium Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycolic Acid, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sodium Hydroxide, PEG-100 Stearate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Extract, Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, 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 WaterGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with a ton of research to back up its benefits.
Its main role is to remove the top layer of dead skin cells, allowing newer skin cells to emerge.
Specifically, AHAs work by breaking down the structural "glue" holding the old skin cells in place. Getting rid of the old skin cells allows skin to regenerate newer skin cells in its place. A build up of dead skin cells can lead to tired and dull looking skin.
Due to this, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid increases skin hydration by playing a role in creating molecules that create hyaluronic acid naturally.
When starting glycolic Acid, it is normal to feel slight stinging.
The pH value and concentration of glycolic acid play a role in the effectiveness of the product. Concentrations between 5-20% glycolic acid have been shown to be effective in clinical studies.
Recent studies have shown Glycolic Acid may protect the skin against UV damage. However, you should always wear SPF, especially when using exfoliants.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidGlycerin 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 GlycerinSodium 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 HydroxideTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD) is a stable and oil-soluble form of Vitamin C.
THD is special in that it has the ability to travel deeper into skin than traditional ascorbic acid while maintaining the same skin benefits (double win!).
Because it’s oil-soluble, THD dives deep into your skin’s fatty layers (think ceramides and cholesterol) to fight off the kind of free radicals that mess with your skin barrier. This makes it a great pair with water-based vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that mainly works on the surface.
Even at just 0.1%, THD is already showing great antioxidant activity. When used up to 2%, it helps keep your skin happy and calm, especially when it’s stressed from pollution or sun.
Want to fade dark spots or tackle hyperpigmentation? You’ll want 5% or more. Pairing it with brightening buddies like niacinamide or licorice root gives even better results. One study even used 30% THD with other brighteners and saw real results on stubborn discoloration, even in melasma-prone skin.
A note on THD: It’s has a slightly silky, oily texture and usually shows up colorless or pale yellow (though the exact shade can vary by supplier).
While you can sneak it into water-based formulas, it really shines when paired with silicones or oils, which help your skin soak it up better.
THD is pretty stable, but it’s still vulnerable to degradation like ascorbic acid. Too much light or heat (above 113°F / 45°C) can break it down over time. Go for dark and opaque packaging that keeps it safe and shady!
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl AscorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Necessaire The Body Retinol 48 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Revealing Body Lotion 10% AHA 23 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Necessaire The Body Retinol 48 ingredients
Okay. So I’ve just finished my first bottle of this stuff and have some thoughts…
I started using this to hopefully reduce lines in my skin around my waist, something my fellow POC will surely related to.
I’ve used it a couple times a week in the evenings after exercise and a shower for the last few months, along with regular exfoliation with an aha cream and urea moisturiser.
It is the Show more
Really nice body retinol! I have a lot of hyperpigmentation from picking at my skin all over and this is great for when the small facial retinols don’t cut it.
Paula's Choice Skin Revealing Body Lotion 10% AHA 23 ingredients
It makes my skin feel so soft and smooth. I use it every other night and it’s so lightweight and fast absorbing that I can layer it under a body oil. So far I haven’t really experienced any irritation but since it’s unscented.. I find it a bit unpleasant. It smells chemically and sour even and so it kinda ruins my mood when I apply it, especially when I’m trying to relax before bed nonetheless I’m Show more
