Versus

Paula's Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment Versus Cos De BAHA Retinol 2.5% Facial Serum With Vitamin E

Facial Treatment
Serum
American Brand United States
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on October 10, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid, retinoid 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 harsh alcohols, fragrances, oils, 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant 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

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment

Water

Skin Conditioning

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon Icon

Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate

Emollient
2 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Isononyl Isononanoate

Emollient

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Bakuchiol

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Arachidyl Alcohol

Emollient

Glyceryl Polymethacrylate

Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Behenyl Alcohol

Emollient
Fatty Alcohol Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

PEG-75 Shea Butter Glycerides

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glyceryl Stearate

Emollient
1 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

Antimicrobial

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Retinol

Skin Conditioning
Retinoid IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Ceramide Ng

Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Humectant
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

Bleaching
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Avena Sativa Kernel Extract

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Arctium Lappa Root Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce irritation Icon

Salix Alba Bark Extract

Astringent
Good for Oily Skin IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Glycine Soja Sterols

Emollient
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Lecithin

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Allantoin

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

Hydrolyzed Soy Protein

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Tribehenin

Emollient
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Dipeptide-2

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

PEG-10 Phytosterol

Emulsifying

PEG-8

Humectant

Magnesium Aluminum Silicate

Absorbent
0 / 0

Arachidyl Glucoside

Emulsifying

Chrysin

Skin Conditioning

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning

Sodium Acrylates Copolymer

Steareth-20

Cleansing
2 / 1

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Cetearyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 1 Fatty Alcohol IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Coco-Glucoside

Cleansing

Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconSilicon Icon

N-Hydroxysuccinimide

Skin Conditioning

Disodium EDTA

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Benzoic Acid

Masking
Preservative IconMay worsen Eczema Icon

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Emulsifying

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 20
Skin Conditioning

Retinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.

Why is retinol famous?

It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.

Retinol is proven to:

This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.

Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).

Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. 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 Retinol
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

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 Hyaluronate
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning

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

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA

When to use

131 Routines
5% use in am
95% use in pm
60% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
33 Routines
9% use in am
91% use in pm
45% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Paula's Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment 54 ingredients

3.7 /5
from 3 ratings
Doesn't Work (1)
alexandria111's avatar

Alexandra

2 months ago
Review

Did absolutely nothing and it was $60😭😭

#doesn't work

Cos De BAHA Retinol 2.5% Facial Serum With Vitamin E 14 ingredients

2.7 /5
from 3 ratings
Doesn't Work (2) Great Value (2) Hydrating (1)
Elapidae's avatar

Ela

5 months ago
Review

UPDATE: their homepage actually says that it’s not retinol 2.5% but only 0.13%. That low percentage does nothing for your skin πŸ˜‚ For me it’s misleading advertising and I have read they do that a lot with their products. Hence I m not buying anything more from them. Also in Germany a product that contains over 1% Retinol is considered medical care and usually needs prescription (EU regulations). So Show more

#doesn't work
AshN.'s avatar

AshN.

7 months ago
Review

This was genuinely one of those products that I'm not sure if I noticed any results. Aside from the uncertainty of this product and the ingredients. I also did not enjoy the consistency of this serum. It felt as if it never fully absorbed and made my skin feel rather oily. Not sure about the other products from this brand, but I feel unlikely to repurchase this.

#great value
#heavy
#oily
#doesn't work