Paula's choice Clinical Discolouration Repair Serum
Works for
Anti-agingNiacinamide, Bakuchiol + 1 moreWorks well
“With bakuchiol and vitamin B3, this serum works to heal the skin while improving the appearance of enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, fine lines and dullness.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains bakuchiol, niacinamide.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Evens skin toneNiacinamide, Tranexamic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“A specialised blend of key ingredients promotes an even skin tone and fades the look of stubborn, diffuse discolourations and spots.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: bakuchiol, niacinamide, tranexamic acid
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Glycerin + 13 moreWorks well
“With a swathe of results-driven skin care that’s brimming with targeted ingredients (in this case, skin barrier-strengthening omegas), you’ll find something to tackle the spectrum of common concerns – from redness to dryness and breakouts.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, butylene glycol.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: caprylic/capric triglyceride, glycine soja oil.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Bakuchiol, Silybum marianum seed oil + 2 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (bakuchiol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Bakuchiol + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
In addition, this product contains bakuchiol. It can help in reducing blemishes, even though it is less effective.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Silybum marianum seed oilMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Niacinamide~5.8–7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideGlycerin~4–4.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinTranexamic acid~3.2–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is effective in reducing hyperpigmentation and evening out the skin tone. It can also help in skin barrier recovery. It is used to treat melasma, especially with injections and when taken orally
More about Tranexamic acidC13-15 alkane~2.5–3%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideDicaprylyl carbonate~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateEthyl macadamiate~1.4–1.8%
Behenyl alcohol~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholGlyceryl stearate~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateButylene glycol~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolSilybum marianum seed oil~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant oil that contains essential oils that can be irritating. Can help soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some anti-oxidant activity but evidence is lacking
More about Silybum marianum seed oilTocopherol~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolLactobacillus/coconut fruit juice ferment filtrate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Lecithin~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinBakuchiol~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that is, though different in chemical structure, acts similar to retinoids. First studies show that it can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin tone, reduce clogged pores and blemishes, and reduce inflammation. There is no conclusive evidence that bakuchiol is as effective as retinol however. The study that directly compared retinol with bakuchiol used bakuchiol applied twice daily compared to once per day for the retinol. According to this study, bakuchiol is less irritating than retinol. Bakuchiol is extracted from seeds of Babchi plant. Other parts of the plant contain coumarins that could cause allergic and irritant reactions. These compounds should be removed in the extraction process when bakuchiol is produced, but it is a good idea to be cautious and stay away from products that include the Babchi plant extracts other than purified bakuchiol to avoid irritation
More about BakuchiolXanthan gum~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCaprylyl glycol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolHydrogenated lecithin~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.
More about Hydrogenated lecithinAllantoin~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinGlycine soja oil~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
More about Glycine soja oilHexylene glycol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolBoerhavia diffusa root extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might help reduce inflammation and neutralize free radicals
More about Boerhavia diffusa root extractGlycine soja sterols~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Glycine soja sterolsCitric acid~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium phytate~0.15–0.25%
Malic acid~0.1–0.2%
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolEthylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Tranexamic acid, C13-15 alkane, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Ethyl macadamiate, Behenyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Butylene glycol, Silybum marianum seed oil, Tocopherol, Lactobacillus/coconut fruit juice ferment filtrate, Lecithin, Bakuchiol, Xanthan gum, Caprylyl glycol, Hydrogenated lecithin, Allantoin, Glycine soja oil, Hexylene glycol, Boerhavia diffusa root extract, Glycine soja sterols, Citric acid, Sodium phytate, Malic acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Paula's choiceClinical Discolouration Repair SerumYOUR PRODUCT | PurifiedPost-Breakout Serum | Formula 10.0.6Mega Serum Vitamin E Restoring Face Serum | AvèneRetrinAL Advanced Correcting Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 91% | 90% | 90% |
| Price | ≈ $73.62 | — | — | $78.00≈ +$4.38 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 9 | 5 of 9 | 4 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Panthenol | Isosorbide Dicaprylate | Pentaerythrityl Tetracaprylate/Tetracaprate |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: GalenicumDerma Hypemium Double SerumEre Perez White Tea Phyto-Retinol Elixir
Product summary
"Paula's choice - Clinical Discolouration Repair Serum" is effective for: Anti-aging, Moisturizing, Evens skin tone and Anti-blemish
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (5.50% - 6.70%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- Bakuchiol in this product (the concentration is about 0.45% - 0.65%). Helps fight photodamage (wrinkles, elasticity loss and pigmentation) and can reduce clogged pores and blemishes. Bakuchiol is a compound extracted from a plant Babchi. It acts similar to retinoids, but with less irritation risk.
- Humectants (glycerin 4.30% - 5.20%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Paula's choice" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails from 46.00$ up to 52.00$ in the United States and from 39.10£ up to 52.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Effect of tranexamic acid on melasma: a clinical trial with histological evaluationonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 5Tranexamic acid accelerates skin barrier recovery and upregulates occludin in damaged skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6
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