🇩🇪Germany

Some By Mi vs Paula's Choice

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

Some By Mi and Paula's Choice are two distinct skincare lines known for targeted serums, cleansers, toners, and moisturizers. The Korean brand relies on niacinamide, centella asiatica, and salicylic acid, suiting sensitive skin and dark spots best, whereas the American brand utilizes hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin c to suit combination and oily skin. While the former focuses heavily on soothing blemishes and fading hyperpigmentation through soothing acids and extracts, the latter centers its formulations on deep hydration and barrier restoration.

Some By Mi is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by JKL Partners since 2021.

kedglobal.compreqin.comtracxn.com

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 Some By Mi and Paula's Choice products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Some By Mi vs Paula's Choice products

People Say

Some By MiPaula's Choice
  • Texture Smoothing Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “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 became smoother — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Often MentionedMostly 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 — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream”
  • Brightening and Glow Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Fades dark spots — Some By Mi Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum”
    • “skin looks visibly brighter — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Anti Blemish Serum”
    • “visible glow — Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster”
    • “acne scars faded — Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster”
  • Gentle Formula Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Zero irritation or redness — Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum”
    • “doesn't strip dry my skin — Some By Mi Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask”
    • “Surprisingly gentle — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
    • “Finally a vitamin C product I can use — Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum”
  • Acne and Blemish Control Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Reduces pimples — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
    • “cleared my cystic acne — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Acne Clear Foam”
    • “Helped clear my cystic acne — Paula's Choice CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser”
    • “heals blemishes faster — Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Lasts 100 hours as claimed — Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Cream”
    • “Absorbs quickly — Some By Mi Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum”
    • “lightweight texture — Some By Mi Retinol Intense Advanced Triple Action Eye Cream”
    • “Provides an internal level of hydration without leaving any heavy finish. — Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner”
  • Strong Scent and 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”
    • “weird glue-like smell — Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA”
    • “overwhelming citrus fragrance — Some By Mi V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen”
  • High Price Point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive — Some By Mi Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask”
    • “Too expensive for 50ml — Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Cream”
    • “tiny tube — Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster”
  • Drying and Dehydration Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “not moisturizing enough — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream”
    • “Skin felt tight — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
    • “peeling and flaking — Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment”
    • “Not hydrating enough for winter. — Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer”

Some By Mi vs Paula's Choice routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Some By Mi vs Paula's Choice routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Some By Mi vs Paula's Choice routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Some By Mi or Paula's Choice: which is better?

Some By Mi is better for sensitive and dry skin types, offering superior hydration and gentle formulas, while Paula's Choice excels in texture smoothing and lightweight, fast-absorbing serums. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppresses melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

What is the difference between Some By Mi and Paula's Choice?

Some By Mi is a South Korean brand owned by JKL Partners that fits dry sensitive skin at a Superior level and features key ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid, whereas Paula's Choice is an American brand owned by Unilever that achieves a High fit for dry sensitive skin and includes ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin C.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Some By Mi or Paula's Choice for dry skin?

Some By Mi is a better fit for dry skin, where Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to High for Paula's Choice. Niacinamide helps brighten the complexion while hyaluronic acid improves moisture.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Some By Mi or Paula's Choice: which cleanser is better?

Some By Mi provides cleansers with a Superior Lovi fit level for skin with dark spots, while Paula's Choice features cleansers that are well-suited for oily and acne-prone skin.

Which is more affordable, Some By Mi or Paula's Choice?

Some By Mi is more affordable, whereas Paula's Choice is noted for having a high price point.

Some By Mi or Paula's Choice for sensitive skin?

Some By Mi is a better fit for sensitive skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Paula's Choice's High level.

Some By Mi or Paula's Choice: which moisturizer is better?

Some By Mi is better for hydration and moisture, while Paula's Choice is better for smoothing textures. Niacinamide helps control skin aging and pigmentation.

Antioxidants, 2021

Some By Mi or Paula's Choice for acne-prone skin?

Both Some By Mi and Paula's Choice fit acne-prone skin well, earning a High level in Lovi routines. Some By Mi provides gentle formulas that help soothe blemishes, while Paula's Choice is often noted for smooth-textured treatments.

Some By Mi or Paula's Choice: which sunscreen is better?

Some By Mi provides the V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen, while Paula's Choice offers the Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50, and both sunscreens have a High Lovi fit for dry, sensitive, and oily skin types.

Some By Mi or Paula's Choice for skin with dark spots?

Some By Mi is better for skin with dark spots, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to High for Paula's Choice. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Some By Mi or Paula's Choice for mature skin?

Both brands offer a High routine fit for mature skin, with Paula's Choice providing targeted anti-aging treatments and Some By Mi featuring gentle, hydrating formulations.

Some By Mi or Paula's Choice for dry sensitive skin?

Some By Mi is the better brand for dry sensitive skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to High for Paula's Choice. Reviewers note that Some By Mi offers gentle hydration, and niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play