Gracie

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Travel-Size Start'r Set: Oily + Combo Skin Edition vs Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Travel-Size Start'r Set: Oily + Combo Skin Edition scores 8.4/9.8 and Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner scores 8.5/9.8 — a near-tie where your skin type decides the winner.

Head to head

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Travel-Size Start'r Set: Oily + Combo Skin Edition
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna

Travel-Size Start'r Set: Oily + Combo Skin Edition

serumpremium
8.4
VS
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner
Paula's Choice

Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner

serummid-range
8.5

Score comparison

These two are neck and neck — just 0.1 points apart.

2
1
2
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna wins 2
Tied 1
Paula's Choice wins 2
8.4Fenty Beauty by Rihanna
vs
8.5Paula's Choice

Scores last verified: July 2026

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna WINS
9.8
6.6
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna
Paula's Choice

Irritation Risk

TIE
9.5
9.5
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna
Paula's Choice

Active Ingredient Strength

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna WINS
5.7
4.6
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna
Paula's Choice

Ingredient Transparency

Paula's Choice WINS
8.5
8.8
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna
Paula's Choice

Formulation Safety

Paula's Choice WINS
8.0
9.0
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna
Paula's Choice

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.

Active Ingredient Strength is another area of separation. Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Travel-Size Start'r Set: Oily + Combo Skin Edition scores 5.7 here versus 4.6 for Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner brings Salicylic Acid, Adenosine, and Allantoin 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 Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner is better if you have

  • Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
  • Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations

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 Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner sits at the mid-range level with a 8.5 score — the higher investment pays off in formulation quality.

Our verdict

✶ 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.

8.4Fenty Beauty by Rihanna
vs
8.5Paula's Choice

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Travel-Size Start'r Set: Oily + Combo Skin Edition or Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner?

Based on ingredient analysis, Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner 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 Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner 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 Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner?

The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.