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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment EU versus First Aid Beauty FAB Pharma Arnica Relief & Rescue Mask .

Last updated on February 09, 2024. Published on April 06, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 13 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants, Vitamin C and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens 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.

Facial Treatment American Brand United States
Facial Treatment American Brand United States

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

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

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

Retinoid
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Exfoliators
Ceramides
Peptides (4)

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (4)
Reduces Irritation (3)
Skin Texture (2)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots (4)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (4)

Concerns

Drying
Irritating
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Exfoliators

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Redness Reducing (6)
Reduces Irritation (7)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger (2)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Water • C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate • Glycerin • Butyrospermum Parkii Butter • Glyceryl Stearate • Behenyl Alcohol • Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter • Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate • Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil • Cocos Nucifera Oil • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice • Cetearyl Olivate • Allantoin • Phenoxyethanol • Caprylyl Glycol • Sorbitan Olivate • Sodium Polyacrylate • Pentylene Glycol • Butylene Glycol • Hydrogenated Polydecene • Xanthan Gum • Tanacetum Annuum Flower/Leaf/Stem Oil • Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract • Trideceth-6 • Tocopheryl Acetate • Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract • Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract • Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract • Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract • Colloidal Oatmeal • Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract • Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract • Arnica Montana Flower Extract • Centella Asiatica Extract • Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract • Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid • Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract • Curcuma Longa Root Extract • Corallina Officinalis Extract • Ascorbyl Palmitate • Citric Acid • Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate • Potassium Sorbate • Sodium Benzoate • Ethylhexylglycerin

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

Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment EU contains this as ingredient number 1.

First Aid Beauty FAB Pharma Arnica Relief & Rescue Mask 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

Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment EU contains this as ingredient number 3.

First Aid Beauty FAB Pharma Arnica Relief & Rescue Mask contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene 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.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment EU contains this as ingredient number 4.

First Aid Beauty FAB Pharma Arnica Relief & Rescue Mask contains this as ingredient number 19.

4
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying
Community Rating: Disliked

Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.

Glyceryl Stearate is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.

As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.

In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced. The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.

Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate

Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment EU contains this as ingredient number 7.

First Aid Beauty FAB Pharma Arnica Relief & Rescue Mask contains this as ingredient number 5.

5
What it does: Antimicrobial, Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.

As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.

This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.

Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment EU contains this as ingredient number 8.

First Aid Beauty FAB Pharma Arnica Relief & Rescue Mask contains this as ingredient number 2.

6
What it does: Emollient, Emulsion Stabilising
Community Rating: Disliked

A type of fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as traditional alcohols.

Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.

Behenyl Alcohol is usually derived from the fats in vegetable oils.

In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.

Learn more about Behenyl Alcohol

Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment EU contains this as ingredient number 12.

First Aid Beauty FAB Pharma Arnica Relief & Rescue Mask contains this as ingredient number 6.

7
What it does: Bleaching, Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing, Soothing
Community Rating: Liked

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.

One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.

Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.

Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.

Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.

Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment EU contains this as ingredient number 23.

First Aid Beauty FAB Pharma Arnica Relief & Rescue Mask contains this as ingredient number 33.

8
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Community Rating: Loved

Allantoin 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 Allantoin

Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment EU contains this as ingredient number 29.

First Aid Beauty FAB Pharma Arnica Relief & Rescue Mask contains this as ingredient number 13.

9
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.

Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.

Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate

Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment EU contains this as ingredient number 30.

First Aid Beauty FAB Pharma Arnica Relief & Rescue Mask contains this as ingredient number 25.

10
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Caprylyl 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 Glycol

Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment EU contains this as ingredient number 38.

First Aid Beauty FAB Pharma Arnica Relief & Rescue Mask contains this as ingredient number 15.

11
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.

Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment EU contains this as ingredient number 39.

First Aid Beauty FAB Pharma Arnica Relief & Rescue Mask contains this as ingredient number 47.

12
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.

This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can help thicken or emulsify a product. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.

Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.

Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.

Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.

Learn more about Pentylene Glycol

Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment EU contains this as ingredient number 40.

First Aid Beauty FAB Pharma Arnica Relief & Rescue Mask contains this as ingredient number 18.

13
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.

Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment EU contains this as ingredient number 52.

First Aid Beauty FAB Pharma Arnica Relief & Rescue Mask contains this as ingredient number 14.

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

35% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
40% are disliked or very disliked
12% have no rating yet
51% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
30% are disliked or very disliked
11% 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

Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment 52 ingredients

4.5 /5
from 4 ratings

First Aid Beauty FAB Pharma Arnica Relief & Rescue Mask 47 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating

Alternatives

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