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Paula's Choice vs Hada Labo

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

Paula's Choice and Hada Labo are distinct skincare lines created to address diverse dermal needs through targeted formulations. The American brand, founded in 1995, features serums, cleansers, moisturizers, and toners built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin c that suit oily and combination skin best. Conversely, the Japanese brand, founded in 2004, is deeply loved for its hydrating toners, gentle makeup removers, and nourishing moisturizers driven by advanced science that suit dry and acne-prone skin best. While both brands support a healthy skin barrier, they differ in their foundational approaches, as the first relies on ingredients like glycerin to increase hydration for combination skin, whereas the latter utilizes expertly crafted solutions to soothe irritation without clogging pores.

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

unilever.comtracxn.com

Hada Labo is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 2004 and owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd..

en.wikipedia.orghadalabosa.co.zahadalabotokyo.pl

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

Popular Paula's Choice vs Hada Labo products

People Say

Paula's ChoiceHada Labo
  • Hydration and Plumping Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Plumps fine lines — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “leaves skin soft, smooth, and hydrated — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “Provides an internal level of hydration without leaving any heavy finish. — Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner”
  • Lightweight Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly — Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster”
    • “watery consistency — Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster”
    • “absorbs quickly — Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA”
    • “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
  • Gentle and Non-Irritating Formula Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “never stings my sensitive skin — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “No fragrance/alcohol — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “no irritation, no breakouts — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “Finally a vitamin C product I can use — Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum”
  • Brightening and Dark Spots Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “visible glow — Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster”
    • “acne scars faded — Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster”
    • “Discoloration almost gone — Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum”
    • “faded considerably — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
  • Texture Improvement Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “skin becomes very smooth — Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment”
    • “bumps be gone — Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA”
    • “skin is insanely soft — Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA”
  • Acne Clearing and Pores 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”
    • “pores look smaller — Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster”
  • Miscellaneous Product Issues Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “turned orange in weeks — Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster”
    • “Did not notice any difference in my pores. — Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner”
    • “takes months to work — Paula's Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment”
    • “Greasy in humidity — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • Price and Value Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “surprisingly small bottle — Paula's Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment”
  • Sticky or Tacky Finish Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “sticky, oily film — Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant”
    • “feels sticky — Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster”
    • “leaves a sticky residue — Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA”
    • “Tacky residue — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”

Paula's Choice vs Hada Labo routines for dry skin

Buy Hada Labo routine · $158.72 · 99% fitBuy Paula's Choice routine · $198.70 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Paula's Choice vs Hada Labo routines for oily skin

Buy Hada Labo routine · $332.14 · 95% fitBuy Paula's Choice routine · $384.42 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Paula's Choice vs Hada Labo routines for combination skin

Buy Hada Labo routine · $313.73 · 94% fitBuy Paula's Choice routine · $353.90 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Paula's Choice or Hada Labo: which is better?

Paula's Choice and Hada Labo both offer great options, with Paula's Choice excelling in acne clearing and brightening, while Hada Labo is noted for deep hydration and value. For dry skin, Lovi rates Hada Labo as Superior and Paula's Choice as High.

What is the difference between Paula's Choice and Hada Labo?

Paula's Choice and Hada Labo both offer fragrance-free formulations, but Paula's Choice is known for targeted acne clearing and brightening, whereas Hada Labo focuses on deep hydration.

Paula's Choice or Hada Labo for dry skin?

For dry skin, Hada Labo is rated as a Superior Lovi fit while Paula's Choice is a High fit. Hada Labo focuses on deep hydration and moisturization with hyaluronic acid, which helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Paula's Choice or Hada Labo: which moisturizer is better?

Paula's Choice offers a wider range of moisturizers with specialized ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides, whereas Hada Labo features simpler formulas focused primarily on hyaluronic acid for deep hydration. Depending on your specific skin concerns, Paula's Choice helps target signs of aging and breakouts, while Hada Labo is better known for its gentle, budget-friendly moisturization.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Paula's Choice or Hada Labo?

Hada Labo is more affordable, as reviewers often note its value and versatility. Paula's Choice, on the other hand, is frequently mentioned for its high price.

Between Paula's Choice and Hada Labo, which brand performs better for hydration and plumping?

Hada Labo performs better than Paula's Choice for hydration and plumping, offering deep moisture with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid.

Drug Delivery, 2017

Which brand has a better routine fit for mature skin according to the facts?

According to the routine fit levels on this page, both Paula's Choice and Hada Labo provide a High routine fit for mature skin.

What are the main negative points mentioned by reviewers for Hada Labo compared to Paula's Choice?

Reviewers frequently note that Hada Labo products may leave sticky and tacky finishes, while also mentioning concerns about application and environmental issues as well as potential breakouts and clogged pores. In comparison, Paula's Choice is more often critiqued for high prices and packaging issues.

Paula's Choice or Hada Labo for oily skin?

For oily skin, Lovi rates both Paula's Choice and Hada Labo as having a Superior routine fit, with Paula's Choice offering more targeted exfoliation and acne clearing while Hada Labo provides deep hydration through hyaluronic acid.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Paula's Choice or Hada Labo for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Lovi rates both Paula's Choice and Hada Labo as having a Superior routine fit, meaning either brand may work well depending on your preferences. Paula's Choice helps with acne clearing and pores through a wide range of targeted treatments, while Hada Labo provides deep hydration and moisturization using gentle formulas.

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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