🇺🇸United States

Paula's Choice vs Augustinus Bader

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

Paula's Choice and Augustinus Bader are distinguished skincare brands that cater to distinct complexions through specialized formulations. The American pioneer relies on ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin c to create serums, cleansers, moisturizers, and toners that suit oily skin and combination skin best. Conversely, the German brand is loved for its nourishing moisturizers, targeted serums, and soothing eye products that suit dry skin and dry sensitive skin best. While both offer standout options for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature skin, they differ fundamentally in their ingredient philosophies and ideal skin types.

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

unilever.comtracxn.com

Augustinus Bader is a German skincare brand founded in 2018.

augustinusbader.combeautymatter.compitchbook.com

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

Popular Paula's Choice vs Augustinus Bader products

People Say

Paula's ChoiceAugustinus Bader
  • Lightweight and fast-absorbing formula Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “light but nourishing — Augustinus Bader The Cream”
    • “sinks in instantly — Augustinus Bader The Serum”
    • “light gel texture — Augustinus Bader The Eye Cream”
    • “Absorbs quickly and leaves no greasy residue behind. — Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer”
  • Smoothes skin texture and refines Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin becomes very smooth — Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment”
    • “skin is insanely soft — Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA”
    • “Softens fine lines — Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream”
    • “skin is smoother — Augustinus Bader The Cream”
  • Glow, radiance and brightening Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Instant youthful glow — Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream”
    • “Instantly hydrated — Augustinus Bader The Face Oil”
    • “healthy glow — Augustinus Bader The Serum”
    • “visible glow — Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster”
  • Deep hydration Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “Extremely dry skin saved — Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream”
    • “instantly refreshing — Augustinus Bader The Eye Cream”
  • Anti-aging and firming results Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “skin looks plumper — Paula's Choice Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster”
    • “softens lines and wrinkles — Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment”
    • “improved neck texture — Paula's Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment”
    • “crow's feet softened — Augustinus Bader The Eye Cream”
  • Unclogs pores and clears acne Often MentionedNot noted
    • “cleared my bumps — Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant”
    • “Helped clear my cystic acne — Paula's Choice CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser”
    • “heals blemishes faster — Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant”
  • High price and expensive for size Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “tiny tube — Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster”
    • “Sooooo expensive — Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum”
    • “expensive for body lotion — Paula's Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment”
    • “Not worth $300 — Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream”
  • Skin purging, breakouts and irritation Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin purged — Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant”
    • “burnt skin off — Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment”
    • “Caused cystic acne — Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream”
    • “bumps on forehead — Augustinus Bader The Cream”
  • Packaging issues and leaks Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “dropper leaks — Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster”
    • “dropper can be unpredictable — Paula's Choice Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster”
    • “Cap broke immediately — Paula's Choice CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser”
    • “excessive packaging — Augustinus Bader The Serum”
  • Unpleasant smell or scent Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Smells like old crayons — Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream”
    • “Smells like vegetable oil — Augustinus Bader The Face Oil”
    • “smells like grain — Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster”

Paula's Choice vs Augustinus Bader routines for dry skin

Buy Augustinus Bader routine · $611.67 · 98% fitBuy Paula's Choice routine · $198.70 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Paula's Choice vs Augustinus Bader routines for oily skin

Buy Augustinus Bader routine · $687.96 · 93% fitBuy Paula's Choice routine · $384.42 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Paula's Choice vs Augustinus Bader routines for combination skin

Buy Augustinus Bader routine · $679.55 · 93% fitBuy Paula's Choice routine · $353.90 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Paula's Choice or Augustinus Bader: which is better?

Paula's Choice is better for anti-aging and clearing acne, while Augustinus Bader excels in providing deep hydration and glow. Both brands have fragrance-free products on this page.

What is the difference between Paula's Choice and Augustinus Bader?

Paula's Choice works best for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin with a focus on anti-aging and clearing pores, while Augustinus Bader fits dry, dry sensitive, and mature skin best to deliver deep hydration and radiance. Paula's Choice is owned by Unilever and offers products containing ingredients like retinol and niacinamide, whereas Augustinus Bader is an independent brand built around its signature TFC8 complex.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Paula's Choice or Augustinus Bader for dry skin?

Augustinus Bader has a Superior routine fit for dry skin, whereas Paula's Choice has a High routine fit. Augustinus Bader tends to do better for deep hydration, while Paula's Choice excels in anti-aging and firming results.

Paula's Choice or Augustinus Bader: which moisturizer is better?

Augustinus Bader provides superior moisturizer choices for deep hydration and radiance, while Paula's Choice offers effective options tailored for specific skin concerns like acne and aging. Augustinus Bader formulas may be considered expensive, whereas Paula's Choice products are noted for packaging issues.

Which is more affordable, Paula's Choice or Augustinus Bader?

Augustinus Bader is known for having an extreme price, whereas Paula's Choice is often noted for being expensive for its size.

Which brand performs better for anti-aging and firming results according to review themes?

Paula's Choice performs better for anti-aging and firming results.

Do Paula's Choice and Augustinus Bader products contain any fragrance in their ingredients?

Both Paula's Choice and Augustinus Bader list no fragrance in the ingredients of any product on this page.

Where and when were Paula's Choice and Augustinus Bader founded, and who owns them?

Paula's Choice was founded in 1995 in the United States and is owned by Unilever, while Augustinus Bader was founded in 2018 in Germany and is independently owned.

Paula's Choice or Augustinus Bader for oily skin?

Augustinus Bader has a Superior routine fit for oily skin, whereas Paula's Choice has a High routine fit. Reviewers note that Augustinus Bader provides lightweight and fast-absorbing formulas, while Paula's Choice helps unclog pores and clear acne.

Paula's Choice or Augustinus Bader for sensitive skin?

Both brands are a strong choice for sensitive skin, with Lovi fit levels rated as High for Paula's Choice and Superior for Augustinus Bader. Augustinus Bader may offer better radiance and deep hydration, while Paula's Choice tends to be better for anti-aging and anti-acne results.

Paula's Choice or Augustinus Bader for acne-prone skin?

Paula's Choice is better for acne-prone skin because it focuses on clearing pores and treating breakouts, whereas Augustinus Bader is better suited for dry or mature skin. Reviewers note that Paula's Choice excels at unclogging pores and managing acne, while Augustinus Bader is more known for deep hydration and a glowing finish.

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

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