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COSRX The Vitamin C… vs Paula's Choice Clini… — Which Is Better? | Gracie

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COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum vs Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment

Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment scores 8.9/9.8 vs COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum at 6.7/9.8. Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment wins for hydration.

Head to head

COSRX

The Vitamin C 23 Serum

serumbudget

6.7

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Ingredients

Niacinamide
Retinol
Hyaluronic Acid
Salicylic Acid

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Honest skincare intel. No jargon, no gatekeeping — just the ingredients decoded.

Paula's Choice

Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment

serummid-range

8.9

Score comparison

Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment takes this one, winning 3 of 5 attributes.

COSRX wins 0

Tied 2

Paula's Choice wins 3

9.0

COSRX

Paula's Choice

Ingredient face-off

4% overlap

11COSRX

2Shared

47Paula's Choice

Only in COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum

9 unique

Ascorbic Acid Water Propanediol Ethyl Ascorbyl Ether Panthenol Sodium Lactate 2-Hexanediol Tromethamine Ethyl Hexanediol

Shared ingredients

2 in common

Sodium Hyaluronate Allantoin

Only in Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment

45 unique

Aqua Dimethicone Glycerin Butylene Glycol Isononyl Isononanoate Castor Isostearate Succinate Glyceryl Stearate C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate Dimethicone Crosspolymer Polysorbate 20+35 more

Why Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment comes out ahead

Where Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment really shines is hydration efficacy, scoring 9.8 compared to COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum's 3.9. With Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, and Sodium Hyaluronate in its top ingredients, Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment delivers stronger moisture-binding capability.

Active Ingredient Strength is another area of separation. Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment scores 7.1 here versus 4.1 for COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum. 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 cOSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum relies on Ascorbic Acid and Allantoin. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.

Best for your skin type

COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum is better if you have

Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
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 budget pricing with a score of 6.7, COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum is a decent pick. Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment sits at the mid-range level with a 8.9 score — the higher investment pays off in formulation quality.

Our verdict

✶ Our verdict

+2.2 lead

Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment wins this comparison with a meaningfully stronger ingredient profile and overall score.

6.7COSRX

8.9Paula's Choice

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum 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 COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum 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 COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum 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.

Full analysis: COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum→Full analysis: Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment→

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