Paula's Choice Calm Redness Relief Repairing Serum Versus Herbivore Green Magic Cica + Ceramides Redness-Reducing Serum
Updated on March 20, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain ceramides and hyaluronic acid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any 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
Paula's Choice Calm Redness Relief Repairing Serum 29 ingredients
Herbivore Green Magic Cica + Ceramides Redness-Reducing Serum 58 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Paula's Choice Calm Redness Relief Repairing Serum 29 ingredients
Herbivore Green Magic Cica + Ceramides Redness-Reducing Serum 58 ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Sea Whip Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids
CleansingChrysanthemum Parthenium Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Magnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningSarcosine
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
PEG/PPG-14/4 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Sea Whip Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Cholesterol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Flower Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Ubiquinone, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Magnesium Aspartate, Potassium Aspartate, Sarcosine, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, PEG/PPG-14/4 Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Cetyl Stearate
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
PCA
Humectant
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
MaskingSerine
Masking
Arginine
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Lysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
BufferingProline
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Glycosphingolipids
EmollientTetraacetylphytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
Emollient
Pinus Cembra Wood Extract
Skin ConditioningPhaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract
HumectantAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil
Moisturising
Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Squalane
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningC9-12 Alkane
SolventTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Lecithin
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Water, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cetyl Stearate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, PCA, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Arginine, Glutamic Acid, Lysine Hcl, Threonine, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Proline, Betaine, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Glycosphingolipids, Tetraacetylphytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Pinus Cembra Wood Extract, Phaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract, Allantoin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Squalane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Coco-Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, C9-12 Alkane, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hyaluronic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Lecithin, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Ascorbate, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Alcohol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCeramide AP is a type of Ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. Having a strong skin barrier leads to more firm and hydrated skin.
They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin. 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 NP
Ceramide EOP
Ceramide 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
Cholesterol is a class of organic molecules called lipids. It helps hydrate your skin and is essential to having a healthy skin barrier.
Our skin naturally contains cholesterol in the outermost layer. Besides cholesterol, it also contains ceramides and fatty acids. Cholesterol makes up about 1/4 of your skin's outer layer and barrier. Your skin barrier is responsible for keeping allergens and microbes out. Having a healthy skin barrier is also responsible for keeping your skin firm and plump.
Our bodies use cholestrol to create vitamin D, steroid hormones, and more.
Learn more about CholesterolGlycerin 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 GlycerinHyaluronic acid is naturally found in healthy skin. It is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to your skin.
This ingredient helps hydrate, soothe, and protect the skin.
What makes hyaluronic acid so hydrating? It has the capacity to bind or hold large amounts of water.
Fun fact: It is already naturally found in our bodies, such as the fluids of our eyes and our joints.
Studies find this ingredient to have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. This can help speed up wound-healing.
Hyaluronic acid can be irritating if the molecule has a low-molecular weight, or if the molecules are small.
One study found low-molecular weight hyaluronic acid to be pro-inflammatory, meaning some people may experience irritation. This is because our bodies use hyaluronic acid in the wound-healing process to signal to our bodies, via irritation, that something needs healing.
The same study found high-molecular weight hyaluronic acid to be anti-inflammatory.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 WaterXanthan 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 GumIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Paula's Choice Calm Redness Relief Repairing Serum 29 ingredients
Herbivore Green Magic Cica + Ceramides Redness-Reducing Serum 58 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Paula's Choice Calm Redness Relief Repairing Serum 29 ingredients
Herbivore Green Magic Cica + Ceramides Redness-Reducing Serum 58 ingredients
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