Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

Paula's Choice Pro Retinaldehyde Dual-Retinoid Treatment Versus Naturium Retinol Complex Serum

Paula's Choice Pro Retinaldehyde Dual-Retinoid Treatment Versus Naturium Retinol Complex Serum Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Pro Retinaldehyde Dual-Retinoid Treatment versus Naturium Retinol Complex Serum. This anti-aging treatment is formulated around

This source-based comparison does not add ratings or recommend a winner.

Paula's Choice Pro Retinaldehyde Dual-Retinoid Treatment Versus Naturium Retinol Complex Serum Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Pro Retinaldehyde Dual-Retinoid Treatment versus Naturium Retinol Complex Serum. This anti-aging treatment is formulated around Retinal and Oleyl Adapalenate to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture. This anti-aging serum is formulated around Retinol and Bakuchiol to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture. Water Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil Dimethicone Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate Propanediol Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate Retinal Oleyl Adapalenate Tocopherol Tocopheryl Acetate Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate Albatrellus Confluens Extract Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract Glyceryl Stearate Stearyl Alcohol Hydroxyapatite Butylene Glycol Cetyl Glyceryl Ether Ricinus Communis Seed Oil Sodium Polyacrylate Isopropyl Myristate Hydroxyacetophenone Caprylhydroxamic Acid Sodium Phytate Xanthan Gum Glycerin Hydroxystearic Acid Ceramide AP 1,2-Hexanediol Sorbitan Oleate Naringin Citric Acid Titanium Dioxide Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Retinal, Oleyl Adapalenate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Albatrellus Confluens Extract, Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyapatite, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Glyceryl Ether, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Sodium Polyacrylate, Isopropyl Myristate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin, Hydroxystearic Acid, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Oleate, Naringin, Citric Acid, Titanium Dioxide Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter Gossypium Herbaceum Fruit Water Retinol Bakuchiol Bidens Pilosa Extract Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil Humulus Lupulus Extract Sodium Hyaluronate Caprylyl Glycol Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Copernicia Cerifera Wax Phenoxyethanol Carbomer Potassium Sorbate Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate Hexylene Glycol Sodium Hydroxide Polysorbate 20 Glyceryl Polyacrylate Ethyl Ferulate Water, Propanediol, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Gossypium Herbaceum Fruit Water, Retinol, Glycerin, Bakuchiol, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Hexylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethyl Ferulate These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. 1,2-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 Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes. Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath. However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products. Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH. In skincare formulas, citric acid can: While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants. Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations. Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger. However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure. 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. Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin. It’s often used to: Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. I