Paula's Choice Resist Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum Versus FaceTheory Resvera-F Antioxidant Serum S12

Paula's Choice Resist Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum Versus FaceTheory Resvera-F Antioxidant Serum S12

This anti-aging serum is formulated around Resveratrol and Niacinamide to soften the look of wrinkles and calm redness.

This anti-aging serum is formulated around Resveratrol and Ferulic Acid to soften the look of wrinkles and brighten dull-looking skin.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Cyclopentasiloxane

Butylene Glycol

Dimethicone

Glycerin

Polysorbate 20

Polysilicone-11

Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone

Hyaluronic Acid

Resveratrol

Niacinamide

Quercetin

Adenosine

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Tocopherol

Phospholipids

Ubiquinone

Epigallocatechin Gallate

Sea Whip Extract

Bisabolol

Beta-Glucan

Phytic Acid

Xanthan Gum

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Sodium Hydroxide

Disodium EDTA

Ethylhexylglycerin

Phenoxyethanol

Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Polysilicone-11, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Hyaluronic Acid, Resveratrol, Niacinamide, Quercetin, Adenosine, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopherol, Phospholipids, Ubiquinone, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Sea Whip Extract, Bisabolol, Beta-Glucan, Phytic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol

Propanediol

Dimethyl Isosorbide

Ferulic Acid

Olive Oil Polyglyceryl-4 Esters

Bis(Cyano Butylacetate) Anthracenediylidene

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract

Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide

Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide

Propanediol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Resveratrol, Glycerin, Ferulic Acid, Olive Oil Polyglyceryl-4 Esters, Bis(Cyano Butylacetate) Anthracenediylidene, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide

Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.

Topically, glycerin does several things at once:

Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.

Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.

This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.

Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Resveratrol is a well-studied polyphenol antioxidant that has gained attention in skincare for its protective and calming effects on the skin. It’s often considered a gentler option for people who can’t tolerate retinoids.

This antioxidant is best known for its anti-aging benefits. Research suggests resveratrol helps combat visible signs of aging by:

Beyond anti-aging, resveratrol is also valued for its skin-brightening and soothing properties.

Some forms of resveratrol appear to be more effective than others. Resveratrol isobutyrate and resveratrol butyrate are often cited as more stable derivatives.

Research also suggests these two forms have stronger effects on Type I collagen stimulation and inflammation reduction compared to basic resveratrol.

Resveratrol is naturally unstable and can degrade when exposed to light and oxygen. Well-designed products often use stabilized derivatives, airless or opaque packaging, and supporting antioxidants to help maintain effectiveness on skin.

A note on resveratrol as a retinoid alternative: While resveratrol offers antioxidant protection, inflammation control, and some collagen-supporting benefits, it does not replace retinoids in terms of cell turnover or acne treatment.

However, it can be a useful option for people with retinoid sensitivity or intolerance, or for those looking to support skin health without irritation.

Fun fact: Resveratrol is naturally found in grapes, peanuts, and berries, which is why it’s frequently associated with wine and grape-derived skincare ingredients.

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