Paula's Choice Calm Repairing Serum Versus Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum with Retinol
This calming serum is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate and Ceramide NP to calm redness and strengthen the skin barrier.
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Tocopherol and Retinol to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPEG/PPG-14/4 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
ChelatingSodium Cocoyl Amino Acids
CleansingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningEpilobium Angustifolium Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningSarcosine
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingChrysanthemum Parthenium Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSea Whip Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningUbiquinone
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialCalcium Chloride
AstringentPropylene Glycol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polysorbate 20, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG/PPG-14/4 Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids, Ceramide NP, Ethylhexylglycerin, Epilobium Angustifolium Extract, Ceramide AP, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Beta-Glucan, Sarcosine, Carbomer, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Flower Extract, Sea Whip Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Ceramide EOP, Magnesium Aspartate, Potassium Aspartate, Ubiquinone, Phenoxyethanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Calcium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantRetinol
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantBisabolol
AntioxidantTocotrienols
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTetrahydrodiferuloylmethane
AntioxidantTetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane
AntioxidantTetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane
AntioxidantCamellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingArctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningStearyl Dimethicone
EmollientAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientVaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Seed Oil
EmollientVaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningElaeis Guineensis Oil
EmollientSd Alcohol 40
AstringentCyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Tocopherol, Retinol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Bisabolol, Tocotrienols, Adenosine, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Stearyl Dimethicone, Astaxanthin, Glycine Soja Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Vaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Sd Alcohol 40
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about Tocopherol