Paula's Choice vs Pixi
Paula's Choice and Pixi are skincare brands founded in 1995 and 1999, respectively, offering comprehensive ranges of serums, cleansers, moisturizers, and toners. Paula's Choice is built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin c, while Pixi is crafted with gentle and effective formulas. Both brands suit oily skin best, though the American brand also fits combination skin and the British brand suits sensitive skin. They differ primarily in their ownership and regional origins, alongside their specific ingredient highlights.
Paula's Choice is an American skincare brand founded in 1995 and owned by Unilever since 2021.
Pixi is a British skincare brand founded in 1999.
pixibeauty.comtracxn.compitchbook.com
This page compares some of the most popular Paula's Choice and Pixi products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Paula's Choice vs Pixi products
-
Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
AED 60.00
-
1% Retinol Treatment
AED 255.32
-
10% Azelaic Acid Booster
AED 210.00
-
C15 Super Booster
AED 383.00
-
CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser
AED 148.98
-
10% Niacinamide Booster
AED 250.00
-
Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA
AED 195.00
-
Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
AED 145.00
People Say
Glow and radiance Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
- “gives instant glow — Pixi Glow Tonic”
- “Skin is noticeably brighter — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
- “healthy radiance — Pixi Glow Mist”
- “Discoloration almost gone — Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum”
Lightweight and fast absorbing Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “Absorbs quickly and leaves no greasy residue behind. — Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer”
- “absorbs instantly — Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster”
- “watery consistency — Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster”
- “Absorbs quickly — Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist”
Smoothes skin texture Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
- “skin becomes very smooth — Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment”
- “skin is insanely soft — Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA”
- “skin never been this silky — Paula's Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment”
- “Skin feels incredible, so smooth — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
Deep hydration, plumping and soothing Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
- “Instant surge of hydration — Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist”
- “calms my redness instantly — Pixi Rose Tonic”
- “deeply hydrates and balances — Pixi Antioxidant Tonic”
- “skin looks plumper — Paula's Choice Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster”
Non-irritating and gentle formula Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Finally a vitamin C product I can use — Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum”
- “no stinging — Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster”
- “doesn't sting — Pixi Glow Tonic”
- “Gentle enough for regular use — Pixi Retinol Tonic”
Pleasant scent Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “smells like fresh roses — Pixi Rose Oil Blend”
- “lovely subtle rose scent — Pixi Rose Tonic”
- “refreshing rose smell — Pixi Glow Mist”
- “Doesn't smell at all — Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum”
High price and small size Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Bottle is too small — Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist”
- “Slight downside is the price — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
- “bottle is very small — Pixi Rose Oil Blend”
- “surprisingly small bottle — Paula's Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment”
Unpleasant smell or strong fragrance Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “smells like grain — Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster”
- “smells like hot dog water — Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster”
- “smell is overpowering — Pixi Glow Tonic”
- “Scent is too strong — Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist”
Causes purging, breakouts or irritation Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “peeling and flaking — Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment”
- “skin purged — Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant”
- “Massive burning sensation — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
- “burned my face — Pixi Glow Tonic”
Paula's Choice vs Pixi routines for dry skin
-
Cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 32.95
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Milky Mist
Morning
AED 93.99
-
Moisturizer
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Enrich Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 34.80
-
SPF
Dr.G Green Mild Up Sun+
Morning
AED 81.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
AED 35.29
-
Cleansing Toner
Glow Tonic
Evening
AED 120.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin-C Serum
Evening · Once a week
AED 127.62
-
Enzyme Powder
VT Cica Mild Powder Wash
Once a week
AED 47.62
-
Nourishing Mask
Mediheal Watermide Essential Mask
Once a week
AED 65.00
-
Cleanser
CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 148.98
-
Hydrating Toner
Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner
Morning
AED 173.95
-
Moisturizer
Replenishing Moisturizer
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 187.50
-
SPF
Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50
Morning
AED 199.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
AED 35.29
-
Cleansing Toner
ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Water
Evening
AED 38.99
-
Serum or Treatment
RESIST Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum
Evening · Once a week
AED 347.75
-
Enzyme Powder
VT Cica Mild Powder Wash
Once a week
AED 47.62
-
Nourishing Mask
Mediheal Watermide Essential Mask
Once a week
AED 65.00
Buy Pixi routine · AED 638.27 · 91% fit
Buy Paula's Choice routine · AED 1,244.08 · 85% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Paula's Choice vs Pixi routines for oily skin
-
Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 49.95
-
Hydrating Toner
Retinol Tonic
Morning · Once a week
AED 73.14
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 33.40
-
SPF
d'Alba UVessence Mild Waterfull Sun Cream SPF 50
Morning
AED 92.70
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
AED 179.45
-
Cleansing Toner
Glow Tonic
Evening
AED 120.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin-C Serum
Evening · Once a week
AED 127.62
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
AED 204.00
-
Cleanser
CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 148.98
-
Hydrating Toner
Advanced Replenishing Toner
Morning · Once a week
AED 154.49
-
Moisturizer
Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 313.80
-
SPF
Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50
Morning
AED 199.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
AED 179.45
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
AED 120.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Niacinamide 20% Treatment
Evening · Once a week
AED 239.84
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
AED 204.00
Buy Pixi routine · AED 981.35 · 95% fit
Buy Paula's Choice routine · AED 1,660.65 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Paula's Choice vs Pixi routines for combination skin
-
Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 84.53
-
Hydrating Toner
Retinol Tonic
Morning · Once a week
AED 73.14
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 33.40
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
AED 179.45
-
Cleansing Toner
Glow Tonic
Evening
AED 120.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin-C Serum
Evening · Once a week
AED 127.62
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
-
Cleansing Mask
KORA Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
AED 122.93
-
Cleanser
CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 148.98
-
Hydrating Toner
Advanced Replenishing Toner
Morning · Once a week
AED 154.49
-
Moisturizer
Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 313.80
-
SPF
Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50
Morning
AED 199.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
AED 179.45
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
AED 53.12
-
Serum or Treatment
Niacinamide 20% Treatment
Evening · Once a week
AED 239.84
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
-
Cleansing Mask
KORA Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
AED 122.93
Buy Pixi routine · AED 842.16 · 93% fit
Buy Paula's Choice routine · AED 1,512.70 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Questions and answers
Paula's Choice or Pixi: which is better?
Paula's Choice and Pixi both have a Superior routine fit across all skin types. Paula's Choice helps smooth skin texture with lightweight and fast-absorbing formulas, whereas Pixi provides deep hydration, radiance, and a pleasant scent.
What is the difference between Paula's Choice and Pixi?
Paula's Choice is owned by Unilever and offers fragrance-free products on this page, while Pixi is independently owned and includes fragrance in some of its products like Glow Tonic. Reviewers note that Paula's Choice delivers lightweight and fast-absorbing formulas as well as smoother skin texture, whereas Pixi provides deep hydration, radiance, and glow.
Paula's Choice or Pixi for dry skin?
Both Paula's Choice and Pixi have a Superior Lovi routine fit for dry skin. Paula's Choice helps smooth skin texture, while Pixi provides deep hydration.
Paula's Choice or Pixi: which moisturizer is better?
Paula's Choice and Pixi both offer moisturizers with a Lovi fit level of Average for dry skin. Paula's Choice is owned by Unilever and founded in the United States, while Pixi is independently owned and founded in the United Kingdom.
Which is more affordable, Paula's Choice or Pixi?
Pixi is noted by reviewers for having a high price and small size, making Paula's Choice generally more affordable in comparison.
Between Paula's Choice and Pixi, which brand has a better fragrance profile across its products?
Paula's Choice has a better fragrance profile across the products on this page because every single item lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas Pixi includes fragrance in some of its toners and mists.
How do the founding countries and corporate ownership differ between Paula's Choice and Pixi?
Paula's Choice was founded in the United States in 1995 and has been owned by Unilever since 2021, whereas Pixi was founded in the United Kingdom in 1999 and remains independently owned.
Which brand performs better for skin glow and radiance according to reviewers?
Pixi performs better for skin glow and radiance according to reviewers, while Paula's Choice does better for lightweight formulas and smoothing skin texture.
Paula's Choice or Pixi for oily skin?
Both Paula's Choice and Pixi achieve a Superior routine fit for oily skin. Pixi excels at delivering a radiant glow and deep hydration, while Paula's Choice helps provide lightweight absorption and smooth skin texture.
Paula's Choice or Pixi for sensitive skin?
Paula's Choice and Pixi both offer a Superior Lovi fit level for sensitive skin. Paula's Choice helps deliver lightweight and fast-absorbing formulas, while Pixi provides deep hydration and radiance.
Paula's Choice or Pixi for acne-prone skin?
Both Paula's Choice and Pixi achieve a Superior Lovi fit level for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Pixi stands out for radiance and glow, while Paula's Choice is noted for smoothing skin texture.
Research behind their key ingredients
The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging in vivo
Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine
Topical glutathione amino acid precursors protect skin against environmental and oxidative stress
Tocotrienol-rich fraction attenuates UV-induced inflammaging: A bench to bedside study
Chemical peels for acne vulgaris: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials
A Rose Extract Protects the Skin against Stress Mediators: A Potential Role of Olfactory Receptors
The impacts of sodium lauroyl sarcosinate in facial cleanser on facial skin microbiome and lipidome
Nanostructured Lipid Carrier for Topical Application of N-Acetyl Glucosamine
Borage Oil Treated with Immobilized Lipase Inhibits Melanogenesis
Supramolecular collagen nanoparticles for anti-wrinkle, skin whitening, and moisturizing effects
Novel beads made of alpha-cyclodextrin and oil for topical delivery of a lipophilic drug
Design and in vivo evaluation of emulgel formulations including green tea extract and rose oil
Topical Almond Oil for Prevention of Pressure Injuries: A Single-Blinded Comparison Study
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
Clinical study of a spray containing birch juice for repairing sensitive skin
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
Behind this comparison
Lovi compares products by their fit scores, calculated from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
-

Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-

Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-

Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

























































