Paula's Choice CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment

Paula's Choice CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment
7.4
/ 10
Moisturizing
10.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
4.8 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
10Anti-wrinkle icon/ 10
Anti-wrinkle
$$$$

Review

Results you may expect from using Paula's Choice CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment:

Based on the ingredient analysis by CreamScan, these are the key benefits you can expect from using Paula's Choice CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment:

  • Significant moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 7.4 out of 10.
  • Potent anti-wrinkle effect. With an anti-wrinkle rating of 10.0 out of 10, Paula's Choice CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment is highly potent in reducing wrinkles.

How moisturizing is it?

Highly moisturizing: Paula's Choice CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment has a moisturizing rating of 7.4 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Significantly more humectant. It has a maximum humectancy of 10 out of 10, primarily due to the substantial concentration of Glycerin (est. ≈6.0%) and Butylene Glycol (est. ≈4.0%), and a moderate occlusivity of 4.8 out of 10, mainly due to the high content of Dimethicone (est. ≈9.0%).

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Anti-wrinkle efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, Paula's Choice CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment has a maximum anti-wrinkle rating of 10.0 out of 10. It contains one ingredient with proven anti-wrinkle efficacy: Retinol (est. ≈1.0%),
 the most effective non-prescription ingredient with well-proven efficacy to reduce wrinkles.
 
Among others, Paula's Choice CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment also contains some ingredients marketed as effective in reducing wrinkles, specifically Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, and Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12. However, the studies supporting the anti-wrinkle claims of these ingredients provide insufficient evidence of efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards. Therefore, these ingredients do not contribute to the anti-wrinkle rating.
 

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
55
9
6
4
3
2.5
2
1.5
1.3
1.2
1.1
1
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
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0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
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Ratings

All humectants
14.2
6
4
1.2
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
9.6
9.0
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
7.4
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 14.2 10
10.0
6
4
1.2
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 9.6 20
4.8
9.0
0.3
0.3
Moisturizing rating
7.4
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
6
4
1.2
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All humectants 14.2 10
10
All humectants
14.2
6
4
1.2
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
9
0.3
0.3
All occlusives 9.6 20
4.8
All occlusives
9.6
9.0
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
10 /10 0.4 1 10
n/a
- 0.3 -
n/a
- 0.3 -
n/a
- 0.3 -
Total
10
Retinol
10
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
10 /10
when present at, %
0.4
in this formula, est. %
1
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Anti-wrinkle rating
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 2.1 3 No
All antioxidants
2.1
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
0.3
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
0.3
Sodium Hyaluronate
0.3
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
0.3
Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract
0.3
Arctium Lappa Root Extract
0.3
Tocopheryl Acetate
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All soothing 1.8 5 No
All soothing
1.8
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %55
Function
Origin
The most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Dimethicone
Est. %9
Function
Origin
The most common silicone in skincare. It forms a silky, smooth film on the skin’s surface and can help to prevent water loss. It also aids in wound healing and can treat and soften scars. Dimethicone is considered to be very safe for use.
Glycerin
Est. %6
Function
Origin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

Butylene Glycol
Est. %4
Function