SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Intensive Ampoule Versus Paula's Choice Calm Repairing Serum
Updated on April 14, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain ceramides and hyaluronic acid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, 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
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Intensive Ampoule 44 ingredients
Paula's Choice Calm Repairing Serum 39 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
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Intensive Ampoule 44 ingredients
Paula's Choice Calm Repairing Serum 39 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Lactobacillus/Centella Asiatica Extract Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Betaine
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxystearic Acid
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningSucrose Distearate
Emollient
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Water, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Lactobacillus/Centella Asiatica Extract Ferment Filtrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, C14-22 Alcohols, Arginine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Betaine, Allantoin, Panthenol, Hydroxystearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Adenosine, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Stearic Acid, Ceramide NP, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Phytosphingosine, Asiatic Acid, Sucrose Distearate, Polyglutamic Acid, Glucose, Lauric Acid, Phytosterols
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
PEG/PPG-14/4 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids
CleansingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningEpilobium Angustifolium Extract
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
Emollient
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Sarcosine
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingChrysanthemum Parthenium Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSea Whip Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningUbiquinone
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Calcium Chloride
AstringentPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide AP, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, 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, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Beta-Glucan, Sarcosine, Carbomer, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Flower Extract, Sea Whip Extract, Glycine Soja Seed 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
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycerinThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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.
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 GumSodium 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 HyaluronateCeramide NP is a type of ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP
Learn more about Ceramide NPPhytosphingosine is a phospholipid naturally found in our skin as a building block for ceramides.. It helps moisturize, soothe, and protect skin.
Phytosphingosine contributes to your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF). The NMF is responsible for hydration, a strong barrier, and plasticity. Our NMF decreases with age. Increasing NMF leads to more healthy and hydrated skin.
Studies show products formulated with NMF ingredients help strengthen our skin's barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier reduces irritation and increases hydration. Our skin barrier is responsible for having plump and firm skin. It also helps protect our skin against infection, allergies, and inflammation.
Fun fact: Phytosphingosine is abundant in plants and fungi.
More ingredients that help boost collagen in skin:
Learn more about PhytosphingosineIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Intensive Ampoule 44 ingredients
Paula's Choice Calm Repairing Serum 39 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Intensive Ampoule 44 ingredients
This has been my favourite barrier supporting ampoule/serum to date! My skin soaks this up I use this both am and pm (with a little more in the pm). I have dry, sensitive and rosacea prone skin and this hasn’t ever aggravated anything, no reactions, blends effortlessly and just gives me a hydrated glowy look! Love it! It’s a creamy ampoule but not super thick and just melts into the skin. It’s so Show more
Lovely texture and a good value. Unfortunately, my skin reacted violently to it, it was very irritating, especially around my cheekbones. It is ironic because it’s marketed as soothing and calming for sensitive skin, and I’m not even that sensitive. My suspicion is that I can’t tolerate fermented ingredients because it happened with some other fermented products as well.
Paula's Choice Calm Repairing Serum 39 ingredients
I tried this on and off over a year- and it just irritates my skin- I don’t know why. I have super sensitive and rosacea skin, but hyaluronic acid is normally not a problem. My skin feels amazing when I first apply it, but 1 minute later it is irritated ):
Doesn’t irritate my skin. Seems hydrating.
