Paula's Choice Resist Intensive Wrinkle-Repair Retinol Serum Versus Paula's Choice Resist Triple Active Total Repair Serum
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Retinol and Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture.
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Retinyl Propionate to soften the look of wrinkles and fade the look of dark spots.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientBisabolol
AntioxidantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantRetinol
Skin ConditioningTocotrienols
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientLaminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveElaeis Guineensis Oil
EmollientStearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenyl Trimethicone, Squalane, Bisabolol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Retinol, Tocotrienols, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingHydroxystearic Acid
CleansingOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientTocotrienols
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Propionate
Skin ConditioningHexylresorcinol
AntimicrobialAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCastanea Sativa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDilauryl Thiodipropionate
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSodium Phytate
ChelatingBHT
AntioxidantWater, Isopropyl Myristate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Hydroxystearic Acid, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Tocotrienols, Retinyl Propionate, Hexylresorcinol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Castanea Sativa Leaf Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Dilauryl Thiodipropionate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Phytate, BHT
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolTocotrienols are a lesser known form of Vitamin E with skin conditioning and UV absorbing properties.
The most common form of Vitamin E in skincare is Tocopherol. Tocotrienols have a slightly different molecular structure; their "tail" is more flexible and unsaturated. This actually helps them absorb into skin more easily and integrate into cell membranes more efficiently.
Research suggests tocotrienols can help with several signs of skin aging, including:
There are four types of tocotrienols: alpha, beta, gamma, and delta.
Fun fact: You can find tocotrienols in ingredients like rice bran oil, palm oil, anatto beans, oats, and hazelnuts.
Learn more about Tocotrienols