Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Paula's Choice Earth Sourced Power Berry Serum versus Paula's Choice Defense Triple Algae Pollution Shield .
Published on December 09, 2021
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 13 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones 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.
Serum
Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.
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
Paula's Choice Earth Sourced Power Berry Serum 41 ingredients
Paula's Choice Defense Triple Algae Pollution Shield 46 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
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 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
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 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Paula's Choice Earth Sourced Power Berry Serum 41 ingredients
Paula's Choice Defense Triple Algae Pollution Shield 46 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 6 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Paula's Choice Earth Sourced Power Berry Serum 41 ingredients
Paula's Choice Defense Triple Algae Pollution Shield 46 ingredients
Water • Glycerin • Coco-Caprylate • Butylene Glycol • Propanediol • Glyceryl Stearate • Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract • Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract • Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract • Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract • Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract • Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract • Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract • Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract • Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract • Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract • Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract • Plinia Cauliflora Fruit Extract • Fragaria Vesca Fruit Extract • Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract • Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract • Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract • Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract • Squalane • Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate • Tocopherol • Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9 • Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11 • Prunus Domestica Seed Oil • Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil • Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate • Corallina Officinalis Extract • Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract • Brassica Campestris Seed Oil • Xanthan Gum • Mannitol • Potassium Sorbate • Sodium Benzoate • Phenoxyethanol • Ethylhexylglycerin
Water • Glycerin • Butylene Glycol • Coco-Caprylate/Caprate • Decyl Oleate • Cucumis Sativus Extract • Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract • Propanediol • Glutathione • Chondrus Crispus Extract • Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate • Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract • Ubiquinone • Curcumin • Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract • Epigallocatechin Gallate • Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract • Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil • Fucus Vesiculosus Extract • Ficus Carica Fruit Extract • Leontopodium Alpinum Flower Extract • Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract • Butyrospermum Parkii Butter • Linoleic Acid • Linolenic Acid • Phytosphingosine Phosphate • Thermus Thermophillus Ferment • Tocopherol • Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil • Tocopheryl Acetate • Lecithin • Xanthan Gum • Acacia Senegal Gum • Ectoin • Glyceryl Stearate • Polyacrylamide • Cetearyl Alcohol • Caprylyl Glycol • C13-14 Isoparaffin • C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate • Polysorbate 80 • 1,2-Hexanediol • Laureth-7 • Dipropylene Glycol • Phenoxyethanol • Ethylhexylglycerin
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 Earth Sourced Power Berry Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
Paula's Choice Defense Triple Algae Pollution Shield contains this as ingredient number 1.
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 GlycerinPaula's Choice Earth Sourced Power Berry Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.
Paula's Choice Defense Triple Algae Pollution Shield contains this as ingredient number 2.
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 Earth Sourced Power Berry Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.
Paula's Choice Defense Triple Algae Pollution Shield contains this as ingredient number 3.
Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use.
It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolPaula's Choice Earth Sourced Power Berry Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.
Paula's Choice Defense Triple Algae Pollution Shield contains this as ingredient number 8.
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 Earth Sourced Power Berry Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.
Paula's Choice Defense Triple Algae Pollution Shield contains this as ingredient number 35.
We don't have a description for Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract.
Paula's Choice Earth Sourced Power Berry Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.
Paula's Choice Defense Triple Algae Pollution Shield contains this as ingredient number 22.
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract comes from the grape vine. Grape seeds are a byproduct of creating grape juice or wine.
The components of grape seeds have many skin benefits. Research has found it to be antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. It also contains many potent antioxidants such as Vitamin E , Vitamin C, proanthocyanidins, polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. Proanthocyanidin has been shown to help even out skin tone.
Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Antioxidants help stabilize free-radicals by donating extra electrons. Grape seed extract may help reduce the signs of aging.
The antimicrobial properties of grape seed may help treat acne. However, more research is needed to support this claim.
Grape seed has also been found to help absorb UV rays. Grape seed extract should not replace your sunscreen.
Learn more about Vitis Vinifera Seed ExtractPaula's Choice Earth Sourced Power Berry Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.
Paula's Choice Defense Triple Algae Pollution Shield contains this as ingredient number 12.
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate is a version of ascorbic acid, or pure Vitamin C.
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate has many benefits including reducing wrinkles, skin soothing, dark spot fading, and fighting against free radicals.
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate interferes with the process of skin darkening, helping to reduce hyperpigmentation. It also encourages the skin to produce more collagen.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
One study found Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate to degrade in sunlight, but is stabilized when conbined with acetyl zingerone.
Learn more about Ascorbyl TetraisopalmitatePaula's Choice Earth Sourced Power Berry Serum contains this as ingredient number 26.
Paula's Choice Defense Triple Algae Pollution Shield contains this as ingredient number 11.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolPaula's Choice Earth Sourced Power Berry Serum contains this as ingredient number 27.
Paula's Choice Defense Triple Algae Pollution Shield contains this as ingredient number 28.
Sesame oil comes from sesame seeds. Sesame oil is rich in fatty acids and Vitamin E.
It has antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The phenolic compounds of this ingredient (including vitamin E) give it these properties.
Unrefined sesame oil has a comedogenic rating of 3, while refined sesame oil has a rating of 1. This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
The fatty acids in sesame oil include linoleic acid (41%), oleic acid (39%), palmitic acid (8%), stearic acid (5%), and some small traces of others.
Learn more about Sesamum Indicum Seed OilPaula's Choice Earth Sourced Power Berry Serum contains this as ingredient number 31.
Paula's Choice Defense Triple Algae Pollution Shield contains this as ingredient number 29.
Xanthan 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 GumPaula's Choice Earth Sourced Power Berry Serum contains this as ingredient number 36.
Paula's Choice Defense Triple Algae Pollution Shield contains this as ingredient number 32.
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 Earth Sourced Power Berry Serum contains this as ingredient number 40.
Paula's Choice Defense Triple Algae Pollution Shield contains this as ingredient number 45.
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 Earth Sourced Power Berry Serum contains this as ingredient number 41.
Paula's Choice Defense Triple Algae Pollution Shield contains this as ingredient number 46.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Paula's Choice Earth Sourced Power Berry Serum 41 ingredients
Paula's Choice Defense Triple Algae Pollution Shield 46 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Paula's Choice Earth Sourced Power Berry Serum 41 ingredients
Paula's Choice Defense Triple Algae Pollution Shield 46 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Paula's Choice Earth Sourced Power Berry Serum 41 ingredients
Paula's Choice Defense Triple Algae Pollution Shield 46 ingredients
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 4 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice Earth Sourced Power Berry Serum.
See 4 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 2 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice Defense Triple Algae Pollution Shield.
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