Versus

Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum Versus Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum with Retinol

Serum
Serum
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on April 22, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 2 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain 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 common allergens, parabens 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 needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

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
Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum
Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum with Retinol

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

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
Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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 Tocopherol

When to use

146 Routines
2% use in am
98% use in pm
65% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
12 Routines
25% use in am
75% use in pm
67% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum 41 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 4 ratings
Doesn't Work (2) Irritating (2) Great Value (1)
NoufQ's avatar

NoufQ

1 year ago
Review

Great product. One of the few products I feel I saw a visible difference with pretty quickly.

Despite being a retinol, never had issues reacting to this or experiencing dryness. On the contrary, I actually found this pretty moisturising and it absorbs pretty quickly.
It also plays well with other products & never pilled on me.

I really recommend this whether you’re new to retinols or Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#absorbs well
#works well
EdenGeraci's avatar

EdenGeraci

1 year ago
Review

casued an allergic reaction

#broke me out
#irritating
#doesn't work

Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum with Retinol 27 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Expensive (1) Hydrating (1) No Scent (1)
hannahsmith2's avatar

Hannah Smith

7 months ago
Review

Very gentle and hydrating without breaking me out. Doesn't have any other real effect for me.

#expensive
#hydrating
#no scent