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Paula's Choice vs Eminence

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

Paula's Choice and Eminence are two distinct skincare lines offering targeted solutions for diverse complexions. The American brand launched in 1995 and owned by Unilever since 2021 features serums, cleansers, moisturizers, toners, and more, built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin c, suiting oily and acne-prone skin best. Conversely, the second line is widely beloved for its deeply nourishing moisturizers and the pure botanical potency of its formulas, suiting dry, sensitive, and combination skin types best. While both deliver visible renewal, they differ in their core ingredients and ideal skin types.

Paula's Choice is an American skincare brand founded in 1995 and owned by Unilever since 2021.

unilever.comtracxn.com

This page compares some of the most popular Paula's Choice and Eminence products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Paula's Choice vs Eminence products

People Say

Paula's ChoiceEminence
  • Fast absorption and lightweight formula Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Provides an internal level of hydration without leaving any heavy finish. — Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner”
    • “Absorbs quickly and leaves no greasy residue behind. — Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer”
    • “doesn't feel heavy — Eminence Clear Skin Probiotic Moisturizer”
    • “buttery and great — Eminence Calm Skin Chamomile Moisturizer”
  • Non-greasy feel and hydration Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels baby soft — Eminence Calm Skin Chamomile Moisturizer”
    • “Not too thick — Eminence Arctic Berry Peptide Radiance Cream”
    • “hydrates without leaving me shiny — Eminence Clear Skin Probiotic Moisturizer”
    • “absorbs super fast — Paula's Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment”
  • Non-irritating and gentle Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “calms my irritation — Eminence Calm Skin Chamomile Moisturizer”
  • Glow, radiance, and brightening Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “visible glow — Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster”
    • “Discoloration almost gone — Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum”
    • “Skin feels soft — Eminence Arctic Berry Peptide Radiance Cream”
  • Pore clearance and acne reduction Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “cleared up my acne — Eminence Clear Skin Probiotic Moisturizer”
    • “cleared my bumps — Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant”
  • Skin texture smoothing Mostly MentionedNot 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”
  • High price and expensive size Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “tiny tube — Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster”
    • “Sooooo expensive — Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum”
    • “pricey but worth it — Eminence Calm Skin Chamomile Moisturizer”
    • “spent a lot of money — Eminence Clear Skin Probiotic Moisturizer”
  • Unpleasant smell and scent dislike Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like grain — Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster”
    • “smells like hot dog water — Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster”
    • “fragrance is terrible — Eminence Calm Skin Chamomile Moisturizer”
    • “strong tea tree smell — Eminence Clear Skin Probiotic Moisturizer”
  • Purging and breakouts Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “skin purged — Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant”
    • “caused cystic acne — Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster”
    • “irritated my skin horribly — Eminence Calm Skin Chamomile Moisturizer”
    • “Caused pimples — Eminence Arctic Berry Peptide Radiance Cream”

Questions and answers

Paula's Choice or Eminence: which is better?

Paula's Choice is better for a wider range of skin types and specialized concerns on this page, while Eminence is well-liked for hydrating and soothing moisturizers. Paula's Choice helps smooth skin texture, whereas Eminence may do better with pore clearance and acne reduction.

What is the difference between Paula's Choice and Eminence?

Paula's Choice offers a wide selection of targeted serums and exfoliants that fit oily and acne-prone skin best and help smooth skin texture, whereas Eminence focuses on moisturizers that are noted for being hydrating, soothing, and effective at pore clearance. Reviewers often mention a high price point for both brands, while Eminence products may also receive dislike for strong scents.

Paula's Choice or Eminence: which moisturizer is better?

Paula's Choice offers a wider range of moisturizers with specialized formulas for different concerns, while Eminence focuses heavily on soothing and hydrating options like the Calm Skin Chamomile Moisturizer. Reviewers note that Eminence provides exceptionally hydrating and non-greasy moisturizers, though Paula's Choice delivers better targeted anti-aging and skin-smoothing results.

Which is more affordable, Paula's Choice or Eminence?

Both Paula's Choice and Eminence share a drawback regarding high prices, so neither brand is more affordable.

Which brand has more products listed on the comparison page?

Paula's Choice has more products listed on the comparison page than Eminence.

Do either Paula's Choice or Eminence products contain fragrance?

Every product on this page from both Paula's Choice and Eminence lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Which brand performs better for skin texture smoothing according to review themes?

Paula's Choice performs better for skin texture smoothing.

Research behind their key ingredients

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

How does it fit your skin?

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