Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% for Wrinkles and Skin Elasticity
Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment scores 8.7/9.8 and The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% for Wrinkles and Skin Elasticity scores 8.8/9.8 — a near-tie where your skin type decides the winner.
Head to head
Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment
Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% for Wrinkles and Skin Elasticity
Score comparison
These two are neck and neck — just 0.1 points apart.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
Paula's Choice WINSIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
The Ordinary WINSIngredient Transparency
TIEFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
23% overlapOnly in Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment
36 unique
Shared ingredients
11 in common
Only in The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% for Wrinkles and Skin Elasticity
33 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.
Active Ingredient Strength is another area of separation. The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% for Wrinkles and Skin Elasticity scores 8.2 here versus 7.1 for Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% for Wrinkles and Skin Elasticity brings Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Pentapeptide-18, and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 as actives, while paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment relies on Retinol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, and Palmitoyl Oligopeptide. 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
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% for Wrinkles and Skin Elasticity 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 — Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 does the heavy lifting
Value comparison
Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment comes in at mid-range pricing with a 8.7 score, which is solid value at that tier.
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: Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment or The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% for Wrinkles and Skin Elasticity?
Based on ingredient analysis, The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% for Wrinkles and Skin Elasticity scores higher overall. See the full score breakdown above for details on each attribute.
Do Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment and The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% for Wrinkles and Skin Elasticity 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 The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% for Wrinkles and Skin Elasticity?
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.