Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Travel-Size Start'r Set: Oily + Combo Skin Edition vs Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Travel-Size Start'r Set: Oily + Combo Skin Edition scores 8.4/9.8 and Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment scores 8.7/9.8 — a near-tie where your skin type decides the winner.
Head to head
Travel-Size Start'r Set: Oily + Combo Skin Edition
Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment
Score comparison
These two are neck and neck — just 0.3 points apart.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
TIEIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
Paula's Choice WINSIngredient Transparency
Paula's Choice WINSFormulation Safety
Paula's Choice WINSIngredient face-off
18% overlapOnly in Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Travel-Size Start'r Set: Oily + Combo Skin Edition
55 unique
Shared ingredients
12 in common
Only in Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment
35 unique
Why these two are neck and neck
These two serums take different paths to a similar destination. Both formulas include solid hydrating ingredients, and the overall scores reflect that — the gap here is genuinely slim.
Formulation Safety is another area of separation. Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment scores 9.0 here versus 8.0 for Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Travel-Size Start'r Set: Oily + Combo Skin Edition. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.
Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment brings Retinol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, and Palmitoyl Oligopeptide as actives, while fenty Beauty by Rihanna Travel-Size Start'r Set: Oily + Combo Skin Edition relies on Niacinamide, Tocopherol, and Lactobacillus. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.
Best for your skin type
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Travel-Size Start'r Set: Oily + Combo Skin Edition is better if you have
- Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
- Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
- Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations
Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment is better if you have
- Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
- Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Glycerin
- Targeting specific concerns like aging or uneven tone — Retinol does the heavy lifting
Value comparison
At premium pricing with a score of 8.4, Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Travel-Size Start'r Set: Oily + Combo Skin Edition is a decent pick. Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment sits at the mid-range level with a 8.7 score — the higher investment pays off in formulation quality.
Our verdict
It's a close call — both products score within 0.3 points of each other. Your choice depends on your specific skin concerns.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Travel-Size Start'r Set: Oily + Combo Skin Edition or Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment?
Based on ingredient analysis, Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment scores higher overall. See the full score breakdown above for details on each attribute.
Do Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Travel-Size Start'r Set: Oily + Combo Skin Edition and Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment share ingredients?
Yes, they share common ingredients. Check the ingredient face-off section above for a detailed comparison.
What's the main difference between Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Travel-Size Start'r Set: Oily + Combo Skin Edition and Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment?
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.