Skin science article
Go-To Skincare Much Plumper Skin Versus Paula's Choice Calm Repairing Serum
Go-To Skincare Much Plumper Skin Versus Paula's Choice Calm Repairing Serum This hydrating serum is formulated around Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and Panthenol to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier. This calming serum is formulated around Sodium Hyal
Go-To Skincare Much Plumper Skin Versus Paula's Choice Calm Repairing Serum
This hydrating serum is formulated around Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and Panthenol to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
This calming serum is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate and Ceramide NP to calm redness and strengthen the skin barrier.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Water
Propanediol
Panthenol
Sodium Lactate
Gluconolactone
Sodium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Sodium PCA
Diutan Gum
Carrageenan
Pentylene Glycol
Caprylyl Glycol
Sodium Benzoate
Pantolactone
Ethylhexylglycerin
Glucose
Calcium Gluconate
Sodium Hydroxide
Lactic Acid
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Propanediol, Panthenol, Sodium Lactate, Gluconolactone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sodium PCA, Diutan Gum, Carrageenan, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Pantolactone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glucose, Calcium Gluconate, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid
Glycerin
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
Polysorbate 20
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
PEG/PPG-14/4 Dimethicone
Xanthan Gum
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids
Ceramide NP
Epilobium Angustifolium Extract
Ceramide AP
Cholesterol
Phytosphingosine
Beta-Glucan
Sarcosine
Carbomer
Chrysanthemum Parthenium Flower Extract
Sea Whip Extract
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Hyaluronic Acid
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Ceramide EOP
Magnesium Aspartate
Potassium Aspartate
Ubiquinone
Phenoxyethanol
1,2-Hexanediol
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Calcium Chloride
Propylene Glycol
Tocopherol
Sodium Metabisulfite
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Potassium Sorbate
Water, 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, Ceramide AP, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Beta-Glucan, Sarcosine, Carbomer, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Flower Extract, Sea Whip Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root 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
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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).
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!