Loading...
Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum scores 9.1/9.8 vs Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment at 8.7/9.8. Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum wins for hydration.
Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum edges ahead, winning 1 of 5 attributes.
Scores last verified: June 2026
33 unique
17 unique
Where Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum really shines is hydration efficacy, scoring 8.6 compared to Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment's 6.8. With Glycerin, Isopentyldiol, and Panthenol in its top ingredients, Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum delivers stronger moisture-binding capability.
Active Ingredient Strength is another area of separation. Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment scores 6.7 here versus 5.9 for Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.
Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum brings Ceramide Np, Tocopherol, and Retinol as actives, while paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment relies on Niacinamide, Acetyl Glucosamine, and Ascorbyl Glucoside. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.
Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum is better if you have
Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment is better if you have
At premium pricing with a score of 9.1, Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum delivers strong value. Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment sits at the mid-range level with a 8.7 score — the extra cost doesn't translate to better scores here.
Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum edges ahead with a slightly stronger formulation, but Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment is still a solid pick.
Based on ingredient analysis, Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum scores higher overall. See the full score breakdown above for details on each attribute.
Yes, they share common ingredients. Check the ingredient face-off section above for a detailed comparison.
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.
Honest skincare intel. No jargon, no gatekeeping — just the ingredients decoded.
Some links on this site are affiliate links. We may earn a commission from purchases made through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep Gracie free and independent.
© 2026 Gracie. All rights reserved. Data sourced from Open Beauty Facts (ODbL) and EU CosIng.