ZO Skin Health Brightalive® Versus Paula's Choice Calm Repairing Serum
Updated on April 14, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin E
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, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
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
ZO Skin Health Brightalive® 45 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
ZO Skin Health Brightalive® 45 ingredients
Paula's Choice Calm Repairing Serum 39 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Acrylamide/Ammonium Acrylate Copolymer
Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Diglucosyl Gallic Acid
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Papain
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Sh-Octapeptide-24 Amide
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Sh-Tripeptide-5 Norisoleucyl Sh-Nonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Elaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Bidens Pilosa Extract
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Bisulfite
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyisobutene
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAlgin
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Caprylyl Methicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Acrylamide/Ammonium Acrylate Copolymer, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Tranexamic Acid, Acetyl Glucosamine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Papain, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Palmitoyl Sh-Octapeptide-24 Amide, Palmitoyl Sh-Tripeptide-5 Norisoleucyl Sh-Nonapeptide-1, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium Bisulfite, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Xanthan Gum, Polyisobutene, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Algin, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Pentylene Glycol
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 GlycerinBeta-Glucan is a polysaccharide. It can be derived from the cell walls of seaweed, oats, yeast, and fungi. It hydrates the skin and helps boost your skin's natural barrier.
As an antioxidant, beta-glucan helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Studies show this ingredient may be an effective wrinkle reducer as it can deeply penetrate into skin. It has also been show to help with wound healing.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanTocopherol (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 TocopherolXanthan 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 GumPolysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTA1,2-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
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
ZO Skin Health Brightalive® 45 ingredients
Paula's Choice Calm Repairing Serum 39 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
ZO Skin Health Brightalive® 45 ingredients
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.
