Beauty Comparison
Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment

Photo and link: Amazon

Paula's Choice

Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment

retinol serum · 4.73 ml · Skincare

Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment is free of fragrance, essential oils, labelled fragrance allergens, drying alcohol, sulfates, parabens and MI / MCI, going by its full 53-ingredient list, with ceramides, hyaluronic acid and glycerin. List checked November 5, 2026.

The catch: it contains silicones (Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer).

  • Fragrance-free
  • No essential oils
  • No labelled fragrance allergens
  • No drying alcohol
  • Sulfate-free
  • Contains silicones
  • Paraben-free
  • No MI/MCI

Listed in Amazon's stores in United Kingdom · Germany · France · Italy · Spain · Netherlands · Poland; links take you to your own store.

Key ingredients in Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment

  • Ceramides

    Skin-identical lipids that help hold the skin barrier together.

  • Hyaluronic acid

    A humectant that pulls water into the top layer of skin.

  • Glycerin

    A classic humectant that keeps skin hydrated.

  • Retinoids

    Vitamin A forms that speed cell turnover for lines, texture and breakouts.

  • Vitamin C

    An antioxidant that brightens and evens tone.

  • Peptides

    Signal ingredients used in firming and anti-ageing formulas.

  • Allantoin

    A soothing, softening ingredient.

  • Shea butter

    A rich emollient for dry skin and hair.

  • Vitamin E

    An antioxidant that protects the formula and the skin.

Full ingredient list, decoded

53 ingredients, in label order (highest amount first; below about 1% the order is free).

  1. 1AquaAqua is the INCI name for water, the main base of many creams, lotions and cleansers…
  2. 2DimethiconeDimethicone is a silicone, a light, water-resistant oil that forms a smooth, breathable…Silicones
  3. 3GlycerinGlycerin is a clear, thick, odorless liquid that pulls water into the skin and helps…
  4. 4Butylene GlycolButylene Glycol is a clear, odorless liquid that attracts and holds water. It is a…
  5. 5Isononyl IsononanoateA light, branched-chain ester used as an emollient. It softens skin and helps lotions…
  6. 6Castor Isostearate Succinate
  7. 7Glyceryl StearateGlyceryl stearate is a waxy blend of glycerin and stearic acid, a fatty acid from plant…
  8. 8C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateA light, fast-absorbing ester made from benzoic acid and C12-15 fatty alcohols. It…
  9. 9Dimethicone CrosspolymerDimethicone Crosspolymer is a flexible, network-like silicone that gives a soft, smooth…Silicones
  10. 10PEG-33
  11. 11Polysorbate 20Polysorbate 20 is a mild, water-soluble emulsifier made from sorbitol and a lauric-type…
  12. 12Behenyl AlcoholBehenyl alcohol is a long-chain fatty alcohol, a waxy solid that softens skin and hair…
  13. 13Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
  14. 14PEG-100 Stearate
  15. 15Pentaerythrityl TetraisostearateA thick, oil-soluble ester made from pentaerythritol and isostearic acid. Its main job…
  16. 16PolymethylsilsesquioxaneA silicone resin made of tiny cross-linked particles that gives makeup and skincare a…Silicones
  17. 17Retinol
  18. 18Ceramide NG
  19. 19Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1A synthetic peptide, a short chain of three amino acids with a fatty acid attached. It…
  20. 20Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7A synthetic peptide, a short chain of amino acids with a fatty tail, used as a signal…
  21. 21Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
  22. 22Sodium HyaluronateHyaluronic acid is a sugar-based molecule, naturally found in skin, that holds a lot of…
  23. 23Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateA plant-derived salt made from glycyrrhizic acid, a compound found in licorice root.…
  24. 24Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root ExtractA plant extract made from the root of the licorice plant, Glycyrrhiza glabra. It is…
  25. 25Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel ExtractA plant-derived ingredient made from the kernels of the oat seed. Its main job is to…
  26. 26Arctium Lappa (Burdock) Root Extract
  27. 27xilaS Alba (Willow) Root Extract
  28. 28Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols
  29. 29LecithinLecithin is a natural mix of fatty substances called phospholipids, taken from plant or…
  30. 30AllantoinAllantoin is a white crystalline powder that soothes and softens skin and is widely…
  31. 31Tocopheryl AcetateTocopheryl Acetate is a stable form of vitamin E. Its main job is to act as an…
  32. 32Hydrolyzed Soy ProteinA soy protein that has been broken into smaller pieces, so it can coat hair and skin…
  33. 33Sorbitan Laurate
  34. 34Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
  35. 35Disodium EDTADisodium EDTA is a salt of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, a chelating agent that…
  36. 36HydroxyethylcelluloseHydroxyethylcellulose is a plant-derived thickener made by modifying cellulose, the…
  37. 37Sodium HydroxideSodium hydroxide is a strong alkali, also called caustic soda. In small amounts it…
  38. 38TribeheninTribehenin is a waxy, solid ester made from glycerin and behenic acid. Its main job is…
  39. 39Caprylyl GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a mild, multi-tasking ingredient that softens skin and helps keep…
  40. 40EthylhexylglycerinEthylhexylglycerin is a lab-made, skin-friendly ingredient that boosts the power of…
  41. 41Pentylene GlycolPentylene Glycol is a small, multi-tasking liquid that attracts water to the skin and…
  42. 42PEG-75 Shea Butter Glycerides
  43. 43PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer
  44. 44PEG-10 Phytosterol
  45. 45PEG-8 DimethiconeSilicones
  46. 46PEG-14
  47. 47Magnesium Aluminum SilicateA natural clay mineral that swells in water to form a soft gel, and its main job is to…
  48. 48Arachidyl Glycoside
  49. 49Sclerotium GumSclerotium Gum is a thickening polymer made by fermenting a fungus. It gives creams and…
  50. 50Arachidyl AlcoholArachidyl Alcohol is a long-chain fatty alcohol that is solid at room temperature. It…
  51. 51Benzoic AcidA small, naturally occurring acid that helps keep formulas fresh by slowing the growth…
  52. 52CarbomerA synthetic polymer made from acrylic acid that thickens water-based products and keeps…
  53. 53PhenoxyethanolA synthetic preservative that helps stop bacteria, yeast and mold from growing in…

Source: Paula's Choice product page, www.paulaschoice.co.uk/clinical-retinol-treatment/m8010.html, retrieved November 5, 2026.

Every flag we check

CheckResultIngredients found
FragranceNone listed—
Essential oilsNone listed—
Labelled fragrance allergensNone listed—
Drying alcoholNone listed—
SulfatesNone listed—
SiliconesContainsDimethicone (#2), Dimethicone Crosspolymer (#9), Polymethylsilsesquioxane (#16), PEG-8 Dimethicone (#45)
ParabensNone listed—
MI / MCINone listed—
Formaldehyde releasersNone listed—
Mineral oil & petrolatumNone listed—
LanolinNone listed—
Chemical UV filtersNone listed—

Frequently asked questions

Is Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment fragrance-free?

Yes. Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment lists no parfum or fragrance and no essential oils. Checked against its full ingredient list on November 5, 2026.

Does Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment contain silicones, sulfates or parabens?

Silicones: yes (Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane). Sulfates: none listed. Parabens: none listed.

Which ingredient rules does Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment pass?

Its full list passes our ingredient rules for sensitive skin, eczema-prone skin, contact dermatitis and perfume allergy. Key ingredients: Ceramides, Hyaluronic acid, Glycerin and Retinoids.

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