Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment US versus Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum .
Last updated on March 20, 2024. Published on November 24, 2022
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 15 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain ceramides, exfoliants, hyaluronic acid, retinoid, 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, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any 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 need an update? Let us know.
Facial Treatment
Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.
Serum
Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.
Price
Ingredient Info
Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment 53 ingredients
Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum 47 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment 53 ingredients
Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum 47 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment 53 ingredients
Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum 47 ingredients
Water • Dimethicone • Glycerin • Butylene Glycol • Isononyl Isononanoate • Castor Isostearate Succinate • Glyceryl Stearate • C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate • Dimethicone Crosspolymer • Peg-33 • Polysorbate 20 • Behenyl Alcohol • Peg-100 Stearate • Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate • Polymethylsilsesquioxane • Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate • Retinol • Ceramide Ng • Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 • Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12 • Sodium Hyaluronate • Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract • Avena Sativa Kernel Extract • Arctium Lappa Seed Oil • Salix Alba Extract • Glycine Soja Sterols • Lecithin • Allantoin • Tocopheryl Acetate • Hydrolyzed Soy Protein • Sorbitan Laurate • Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester • Disodium EDTA • Hydroxyethylcellulose • Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 • Sodium Hydroxide • Tribehenin • Caprylyl Glycol • Ethylhexylglycerin • Pentylene Glycol • Peg-75 Shea Butter Glycerides • Ppg-12/Smdi Copolymer • Peg-10 Phytosterol • Peg-8 Dimethicone • Peg-14 • Magnesium Aluminum Silicate • Arachidyl Glucoside • Arachidyl Alcohol • Sclerotium Gum • Carbomer • Phenoxyethanol • Benzoic Acid
Water • Glycolic Acid • Propanediol • Sodium Hydroxide • Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil • Ethylhexyl Olivate • Polyglyceryl-2 Distearate • C9-12 Alkane • Arachidyl Alcohol • Zea Mays Starch • Glyceryl Stearate • Niacinamide • Tocopherol • Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil • Cucurbita Pepo Seed Oil • Retinol • Collagen • Adenosine • Squalane • Allantoin • Ascorbic Acid • Panthenol • Lecithin • Ceramide NP • Volcanic Soil • Pullulan • Sodium Phytate • Arachidyl Glucoside • Amylopectin • Polysorbate 20 • 1,2-Hexanediol • Silica • Sodium Hyaluronate • Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate • Potassium Sorbate • Sclerotium Gum • Coco-Caprylate/Caprate • Sodium Benzoate • Xanthan Gum • Lysolecithin • Pentylene Glycol • Potassium Phosphate • Ethylhexylglycerin • Behenyl Alcohol • Alcohol • Phenoxyethanol • Mica
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterPaula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment US contains this as ingredient number 1.
Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
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 StearatePaula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment US contains this as ingredient number 7.
Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.
Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment US contains this as ingredient number 11.
Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 30.
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 AlcoholPaula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment US contains this as ingredient number 12.
Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 44.
Retinol is a form of Vitamin A and proven to help with anti-aging.
It promotes collagen production, increases new cell turnoever, and protects your skin as an antioxidant.
Retinol boosts collagen production and increases cell turnover. This makes retinol effective in removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Retinol is less effective when exposed to sun. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent.
Using retinol and retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few weeks of use. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.
Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.
Read about Tretinoin
Learn more about RetinolPaula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment US contains this as ingredient number 17.
Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 16.
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 HyaluronatePaula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment US contains this as ingredient number 21.
Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 33.
Lecithin is a term for a group of substances found in plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of fatty acids. These fatty acids usually are a mixture of phosphoric acid's choline ester connected to stearic, oleic, and palmitic acids. Most lecithins are created from plant ingredients scuh as sunflower.
Lecithin is an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin. The phospholipids in Lecithin can produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Learn more about LecithinPaula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment US contains this as ingredient number 28.
Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.
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 AllantoinPaula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment US contains this as ingredient number 29.
Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 20.
Sodium 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 HydroxidePaula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment US contains this as ingredient number 37.
Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.
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 US contains this as ingredient number 40.
Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 43.
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 GlycolPaula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment US contains this as ingredient number 41.
Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 41.
We don't have a description for Arachidyl Glucoside.
Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment US contains this as ingredient number 48.
Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 28.
We don't have a description for Arachidyl Alcohol.
Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment US contains this as ingredient number 49.
Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.
Sclerotium Gum is a polysaccharide gum made by the fungus, Sclerotium rolfssii. It is similar to xanthan gum.
In cosmetics, Sclerotium Gum is used to thicken the texture and to help stabilize other ingredients.
As an emulsifier, Sclerotium Gum helps prevent ingredients from separating, such as water and oil.
Learn more about Sclerotium GumPaula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment US contains this as ingredient number 50.
Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 36.
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 US contains this as ingredient number 52.
Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 46.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment 53 ingredients
Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum 47 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment 53 ingredients
Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum 47 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment 53 ingredients
glasscasita
Love it
My favorite retinol. Been using it for a year and never had any bad reactions (be sure to follow instructions like starting slow). It's a...
Love it
My favorite retinol. Been using it for a year and never had any bad reactions (be sure to follow instructions like starting slow). It's a bit pricey but worth it
Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum 47 ingredients
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