Gracie

Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment vs rhode Mini Rhode Kit Glazed Skincare Essentials

Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment scores 8.7/9.8 and rhode Mini Rhode Kit Glazed Skincare Essentials scores 8.4/9.8 — a near-tie where your skin type decides the winner.

Head to head

Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment
Paula's Choice

Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment

serummid-range
8.7
VS
rhode Mini Rhode Kit Glazed Skincare Essentials
rhode

Mini Rhode Kit Glazed Skincare Essentials

moisturiserpremium
8.4

Score comparison

These two are neck and neck — just 0.3 points apart.

1
3
1
Paula's Choice wins 1
Tied 3
rhode wins 1
8.7Paula's Choice
vs
8.4rhode

Scores last verified: July 2026

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

TIE
9.8
9.8
Paula's Choice
rhode

Irritation Risk

TIE
9.5
9.5
Paula's Choice
rhode

Active Ingredient Strength

rhode WINS
7.1
7.9
Paula's Choice
rhode

Ingredient Transparency

Paula's Choice WINS
8.8
8.5
Paula's Choice
rhode

Formulation Safety

TIE
9.0
9.0
Paula's Choice
rhode

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.

Ingredient Transparency is another area of separation. Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment scores 8.8 here versus 8.5 for rhode Mini Rhode Kit Glazed Skincare Essentials. 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 rhode Mini Rhode Kit Glazed Skincare Essentials relies on Tocopherol, Ananas Sativus (Pineapple) Fruit Extract, and Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.

Best for your skin type

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

rhode Mini Rhode Kit Glazed Skincare Essentials 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 — Tocopherol does the heavy lifting

Value comparison

At mid-range pricing with a score of 8.7, Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment delivers strong value. rhode Mini Rhode Kit Glazed Skincare Essentials sits at the premium level with a 8.4 score — the extra cost doesn't translate to better scores here.

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.

8.7Paula's Choice
vs
8.4rhode

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment or rhode Mini Rhode Kit Glazed Skincare Essentials?

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 Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment and rhode Mini Rhode Kit Glazed Skincare Essentials share ingredients?

Yes, they share common ingredients. Check the ingredient face-off section above for a detailed comparison.

What's the main difference between Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment and rhode Mini Rhode Kit Glazed Skincare Essentials?

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