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Timeless Skin Care CoEnzyme Q10 Serum Versus Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum with Retinol

Timeless Skin Care CoEnzyme Q10 Serum Versus Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum with Retinol This anti-aging serum is formulated around Matrixyl 3000 and Ubiquinone to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate skin. This anti-aging

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

Timeless Skin Care CoEnzyme Q10 Serum Versus Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum with Retinol

This anti-aging serum is formulated around Matrixyl 3000 and Ubiquinone to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate skin.

This anti-aging serum is formulated around Tocopherol and Retinol to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate skin.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Matrixyl 3000

Ubiquinone

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract

Glycerin

Hyaluronic Acid

Tocopherol

Benzyl Alcohol

Dehydroacetic Acid

Water, Matrixyl 3000, Ubiquinone, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopherol, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid

Cyclopentasiloxane

Dimethicone

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

Olea Europaea Fruit Oil

Retinol

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Bisabolol

Tocotrienols

Adenosine

Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane

Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane

Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane

Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract

Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract

Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract

Stearyl Dimethicone

Astaxanthin

Glycine Soja Oil

Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract

Oenothera Biennis Oil

Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil

Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil

Vaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil

Elaeis Guineensis Oil

Sd Alcohol 40

Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Tocopherol, Retinol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Bisabolol, Tocotrienols, Adenosine, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Stearyl Dimethicone, Astaxanthin, Glycine Soja Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Vaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Sd Alcohol 40

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.

Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.

You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.

Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.

It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.

This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.

This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.

In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.

Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.

Similar Comparisons

The reference edit

Ingredients, questions
& further reading.

Connected source records selected through this article’s public topic index.

01

Formula cabinet

Ingredients & structured notes

Ingredient index

Ingredients Explained

  1. 01These ingredients are found in both products.
  2. 02Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
  3. 031,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
  4. 04It is a:
  5. 05Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
  6. 06Emollient, helping to soften skin
  7. 07Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
  8. 08Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
  9. 09Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C and is the biologically active form used directly by skin.
  10. 10Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, but it also has plenty of benefits for your skin. It is best supported by academic literature for:
  11. 11Topical vitamin C has been shown to help neutralize oxidative stress from UV and pollution, helping to improve photoaging and hyperpigmentation when used consistently.
  12. 12One clinical study found that using 5% topical vitamin C for six months improved signs of photodamaged skin, both on the surface and in the deeper structural layers of the skin.
  13. 13While vitamin C doesn’t replace sunscreen, studies show it can boost photoprotection when combined with Vitamin E and ferulic acid. These two ingredients help improve stability and protective effects.
  14. 14The big downside of this ingredient is formulation difficulty. Vitamin C is prone to oxidation and doesn't penetrate the skin unless formulated correctly. Research found that vitamin C absorbs into the skin best at a low pH (< 3.5) with about 20% be…
  15. 15Skin levels can saturate after repeated application; this means your skin won’t keep absorbing more once it’s full of vitamin C. This is why more isn’t always better with vitamin C and why very high concentrations don’t necessarily give extra benefits.
  16. 16Ascorbic acid generally works well with many skincare ingredients but can be irritating when combined with other active ingredients. Strong oxidizing acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide can reduce the effectiveness of vitamin C if they are used at…
  17. 17Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
  18. 18Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
  19. 19Bisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
  20. 20It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
02

Product index

Related product references

Product

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03

Comparison edit

Read side by side

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