Where Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment really shines is active ingredient strength, scoring 7.1 compared to Su:m37 Time Energy Moisturizing Soft Cream's 5.2. Its formula features Retinol, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, and Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate in high positions, signalling meaningful concentrations.
Hydration Efficacy is another area of separation. Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment scores 9.8 here versus 8.4 for Su:m37 Time Energy Moisturizing Soft Cream. 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, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, and Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate as actives, while su:m37 Time Energy Moisturizing Soft Cream relies on Bifida Ferment Lysate, Adenosine, and Niacinamide. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.
At mid-range pricing with a score of 8.9, Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment delivers strong value. Su:m37 Time Energy Moisturizing Soft Cream sits at the luxury level with a 8.1 score — the extra cost doesn't translate to better scores here.