Shelf Pure
An unlabeled frosted bottle on a nightstand in lamplight with an eye mask and a glass of water, generated illustration
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Paula’s Choice · Skin · Retinol and retinal

Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment

A stated one percent retinol with peptides and vitamin C in a light lotion. For skin already used to retinol, and priced like it knows that.

1 ozLotionRetinolVitamin CPeptidesFragrance-free
$65 MSRP for the 1 fl ozAmazon price not shown
Check price on Amazon →

Amazon link · we earn a commission if you buy · $65 MSRP for the 1 fl oz · Amazon price not shown · verified Nov 1, 2026. More stores appear here as each affiliate program approves the site.

Buy it if

  • You have used a milder retinol and want a stronger one
  • You want the strength printed on the label
  • You want no added fragrance

Walk past if

  • You are new to retinol
  • You want value at $65.00 MSRP for 1 fl oz
  • You react easily; some owners report burning that never settled

What's in it

The ingredients that do the work, from the maker’s label.

RetinolVitamin CPeptides

Retinol and retinal guide →Sulfate-free →Fragrance-free →

Not in it: fragrance, essential oils, drying alcohol, sulfates. Nothing on our flag list.

Full ingredient list, from the maker

Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Castor Isostearate Succinate, Glyceryl Stearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, PEG-33, Polysorbate 20, Behenyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Retinol, Ceramide NG, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Arctium Lappa, Salix Alba Extract, Glycine Soja Sterols, Lecithin, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Sorbitan Laurate, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Sodium Hydroxide, Tribehenin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-75 Shea Butter Glycerides, PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer, PEG-10 Phytosterol, PEG-8 Dimethicone, PEG-14, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Arachidyl Glucoside, Arachidyl Alcohol, Sclerotium Gum, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid

Known issue

Some owners report burning or irritation that never settled, and several long-time users suspect the formula has become harsher.MakeupAlley and Influenster reviews

What owners say

Filled by the research pass: two or three owner reports from named venues, each linked, each with the date it was read.

If it's not right

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum$21.99 MSRPEncapsulated retinol with niacinamide and ceramides, for night use. Some reviewers call it a gentle first retinol, but the strength is not on the label.CeraVe Moisturizing CreamNo maker list price for this sizeThree ceramides, cholesterol, hyaluronic acid and petrolatum in a thick cream for face and body. The plain standard for dry skin, developed with dermatologists according to the maker.

Sources

  1. Maker page: full ingredient list, 1 fl oz normal price, texture description.
  2. MakeupAlley reviews, 81 at about 3.9 of 5: burning, irritation that never eased, and reviewers who believe the formula changed (read from a search excerpt)
  3. Influenster reviews, about 4.6 of 5: mostly favorable, with one owner reporting stinging and purging.
  4. Influenster reviews of the travel size, only nine: one bad breakout and one owner whose skin peeled when layering actives (read from a search excerpt)

Ingredient lists from the maker's label, not our measurements.