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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 two distinct skincare lines founded in 1995 and 2004, respectively, offering carefully formulated serums, cleansers, moisturizers, and toners. Paula's Choice is built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin c, suiting combination and oily skin best, whereas the Japanese brand relies on advanced science to provide hydrating toners, gentle makeup removers, and nourishing moisturizers that suit dry and acne-prone skin. While both incorporate ingredients like glycerin to significantly increase skin hydration and restore barrier function, they differ in their primary formulation approaches and targeted solutions for dark spots, acne, and mature skin.

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

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Paula's Choice vs Hada Labo routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Paula's Choice vs Hada Labo routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

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

Both brands are great, but they serve different needs since Paula's Choice is better for acne clearing and texture improvement, while Hada Labo is superior for deep hydration and value.

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

Paula's Choice focuses on targeted treatments with a wide variety of key ingredients like salicylic acid and niacinamide, while Hada Labo specializes in deep hydration centered around hyaluronic acid.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Paula's Choice or Hada Labo for dry skin?

Both brands offer a Superior routine fit for dry skin, with Hada Labo focusing on deep hydration using hyaluronic acid while Paula's Choice provides targeted options like the Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner. Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin moisture levels and reduce signs of aging.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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

Hada Labo is better for deep hydration and moisturization, whereas Paula's Choice offers more options targeted at specific concerns like anti-aging or acne. Both brands include fragrance-free formulations across the products on this page.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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

Hada Labo does better for price and value than Paula's Choice, whereas Paula's Choice reviewers mostly mention high prices as a drawback.

Between Paula's Choice and Hada Labo, which brand is better for addressing dark spots?

Paula's Choice does better for addressing dark spots, offering targeted brightening serums and exfoliants. Hyaluronic acid helps both brands support overall skin hydration, and niacinamide may assist with pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

How do the founding countries and parent companies of Paula's Choice and Hada Labo compare?

Paula's Choice was founded in 1995 in the United States and has been owned by Unilever since 2021, whereas Hada Labo was founded in 2004 in Japan and is owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Which brand offers better results for skin texture improvement according to reviewer themes?

Paula's Choice does better for skin texture improvement according to reviewer themes, helping smooth texture with anti-aging serums.

Paula's Choice or Hada Labo for oily skin?

Both brands are great choices for oily skin, with Lovi rating Hada Labo as Superior and Paula's Choice as High for this skin type. Paula's Choice features oil-focused ingredients like Salicylic acid to help clear pores, while Hada Labo focuses on deep hydration using Hyaluronic acid.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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

For acne-prone skin, both brands work well, with Lovi rating Paula's Choice High and Hada Labo Superior. Paula's Choice focuses on acne clearing and pores, while Hada Labo relies on gentle, fragrance-free formulations.

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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