Paula's Choice Omega+ Complex Serum Versus Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum
Updated on December 05, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 1 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain 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, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and oils
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 Omega+ Complex Serum 42 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum 24 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 Omega+ Complex Serum 42 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum 24 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Diheptyl Succinate
EmollientCandelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
Emulsifying
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil
Emollient
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Eos
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Caprooyl Sphingosine
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin Conditioning
Caprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPrunus Domestica Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sodium Phytate
Trehalose
Humectant
Isohexadecane
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Agar
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Ceteareth-25
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenic Acid
Cleansing
Glyceryl Rosinate
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Diheptyl Succinate, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Eos, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Ceramide AP, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables, Tocopherol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Prunus Domestica Seed Oil, Lauryl Laurate, Glyceryl Behenate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Phytate, Trehalose, Isohexadecane, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Cetyl Alcohol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Agar, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceteareth-25, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenic Acid, Glyceryl Rosinate, Citric Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Astaxanthin
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Calluna Vulgaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentBetula Alba Bark Extract
Masking
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cyclopentasiloxane, Isododecane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Retinol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Astaxanthin, Bisabolol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Calluna Vulgaris Flower Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Silica, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD) is a stable and oil-soluble form of Vitamin C.
THD is special in that it has the ability to travel deeper into skin than traditional ascorbic acid while maintaining the same skin benefits (double win!).
Because it’s oil-soluble, THD dives deep into your skin’s fatty layers (think ceramides and cholesterol) to fight off the kind of free radicals that mess with your skin barrier. This makes it a great pair with water-based vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that mainly works on the surface.
Even at just 0.1%, THD is already showing great antioxidant activity. When used up to 2%, it helps keep your skin happy and calm, especially when it’s stressed from pollution or sun.
Want to fade dark spots or tackle hyperpigmentation? You’ll want 5% or more. Pairing it with brightening buddies like niacinamide or licorice root gives even better results. One study even used 30% THD with other brighteners and saw real results on stubborn discoloration, even in melasma-prone skin.
A note on THD: It’s has a slightly silky, oily texture and usually shows up colorless or pale yellow (though the exact shade can vary by supplier).
While you can sneak it into water-based formulas, it really shines when paired with silicones or oils, which help your skin soak it up better.
THD is pretty stable, but it’s still vulnerable to degradation like ascorbic acid. Too much light or heat (above 113°F / 45°C) can break it down over time. Go for dark and opaque packaging that keeps it safe and shady!
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl AscorbateIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Paula's Choice Omega+ Complex Serum 42 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum 24 ingredients
