Paula's Choice vs No7
Paula's Choice and No7 are two established skincare brands, founded respectively in America in 1995 and Britain in 1935. The American brand offers serums, cleansers, moisturizers, toners, and more, built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin c, suiting oily skin and acne-prone skin best. Conversely, the British brand provides serums, eye products, moisturizers, sunscreens, and more, built around vitamin c, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid, fitting mature skin and dry skin best. While both utilize key ingredients like glycerin to significantly increase skin hydration and restore barrier function and shea butter to protect skin and mitigate erythema, they differ in their specific formulations and targeted skin types.
Paula's Choice is an American skincare brand founded in 1995 and owned by Unilever since 2021.
No7 is a British skincare brand founded in 1935 and owned by Sycamore Partners since 2025.
cosmeticsbusiness.comen.wikipedia.org
This page compares some of the most popular Paula's Choice and No7 products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Paula's Choice vs No7 products
People Say
Absorption and Lightweight Feel 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”
- “rich but not heavy — No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Night Cream”
- “absorbs quickly — No7 Restore & Renew Multi Action Eye Cream”
Pores and Texture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “cleared my bumps — Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant”
- “skin becomes very smooth — Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment”
- “skin feels so soft — No7 Total Renewal Micro-Dermabrasion Exfoliator”
- “skin feels velvety — No7 Pure Retinol”
Glow, Brightening and Anti-Aging Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Softened fine lines — No7 Pure Retinol 1% Night Concentrate”
- “healthier glow — No7 Total Renewal Micro-Dermabrasion Exfoliator”
- “lines on forehead diminished — No7 Pure Retinol”
- “visible glow — Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster”
Acne and Blemish Control Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
- “Helped clear my cystic acne — Paula's Choice CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser”
- “heals blemishes faster — Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant”
- “Removes all my makeup easily — Paula's Choice CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser”
- “Lightened sun spots — No7 Pure Retinol 1% Night Concentrate”
Gentle and Non-Stripping Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “Finally a vitamin C product I can use — Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum”
- “Doesn't strip my skin — Paula's Choice CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser”
- “zero irritation — No7 Pure Retinol Eye Cream”
- “soothing on skin — No7 Restore & Renew Multi Action Eye Cream”
Deep Hydration and General Feel Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “Skin feels softer — No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum”
- “Skin feels moisturized — No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Night Cream”
- “absorbs instantly — No7 Pure Retinol”
Packaging and Size Issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Runs out quickly (2-3 weeks) — No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum”
- “Pump breaks — No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum”
- “instructions were in larger font — No7 Pure Retinol Eye Cream”
- “surprisingly small bottle — Paula's Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment”
High Price Point and Value Often MentionedRarely Noted
- “Expensive for amount provided — No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum”
- “Sooooo expensive — Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum”
Lack of Visible Results Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “Did not notice any difference in my pores. — Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner”
- “did nothing — Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster”
- “No change in wrinkles/spots — No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum”
Unpleasant Scent or Fragrance Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Too much fragrance — No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Night Cream”
- “overpowering — No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Night Cream”
- “Scent is overpowering — No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Day Cream”
- “smells like grain — Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster”
Paula's Choice vs No7 routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€7.50
-
Hydrating Toner
COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
€18.55
-
Moisturizer
Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Night Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€29.48
-
SPF
Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Day Cream
Morning
€31.87
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
€16.10
-
Serum or Treatment
Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum
Evening · Once a week
€55.00
-
Nourishing Mask
Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Sheet Mask
Once a week
€19.90
-
Cleanser
CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€25.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner
Morning
€53.00
-
Moisturizer
Replenishing Moisturizer
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€58.00
-
SPF
Purito Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen
Morning
€12.98
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
€16.10
-
Serum or Treatment
RESIST Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum
Evening · Once a week
€57.00
-
Nourishing Mask
Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Sheet Mask
Once a week
€19.90
Paula's Choice vs No7 routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€25.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Advanced Replenishing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€42.00
-
SPF
make p:rem UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Cream
Morning
€34.30
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€40.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
€29.29
-
Serum or Treatment
Niacinamide 20% Treatment
Evening · Once a week
€53.55
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€49.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
€79.97
-
Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€11.35
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
€19.99
-
Moisturizer
Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Night Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€29.48
-
SPF
Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Day Cream
Morning
€31.87
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€40.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
€29.29
-
Serum or Treatment
Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum
Evening · Once a week
€55.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€49.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
€79.97
Paula's Choice vs No7 routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€25.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Advanced Replenishing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€42.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€40.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
€17.15
-
Serum or Treatment
Niacinamide 20% Treatment
Evening · Once a week
€53.55
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€49.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
€79.97
-
Cleanser
Paula's Choice Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€32.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Night Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€29.48
-
SPF
Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Day Cream
Morning
€31.87
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€40.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
€17.15
-
Serum or Treatment
Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum
Evening · Once a week
€55.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€49.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
€79.97
Questions and answers
Paula's Choice or No7: which is better?
Paula's Choice is better for acne-prone, oily, and combination skin, while No7 is better for glow, brightening, anti-aging, and deep hydration. Both brands offer fragrance-free options across the products on this page, though some No7 items include fragrance.
What is the difference between Paula's Choice and No7?
Paula's Choice is better suited for acne-prone, oily, and oily acne-prone skin, whereas No7 focuses best on mature skin, dry skin, and skin with dark spots. Both brands offer fragrance-free options on this page, though some No7 products contain added fragrance. Additionally, Paula's Choice features higher fit levels for blemish control, while No7 performs better for deep hydration and anti-aging glow.
Paula's Choice or No7 for dry skin?
Both Paula's Choice and No7 offer a high routine fit for dry skin, making them equally good options. Paula's Choice helps address dry skin through fragrance-free products on this page utilizing key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides.
Paula's Choice or No7: which moisturizer is better?
Both brands offer effective moisturizers, but Paula's Choice is a better fit for oily skin while No7 is better for deep hydration and dry skin. No7's moisturizers may provide better glow and anti-aging benefits, whereas Paula's Choice helps avoid unwanted fragrances since all of its products are fragrance-free.
Which is more affordable, Paula's Choice or No7?
No7 is more affordable, but it has more complaints about a high price point and value compared to Paula's Choice.
Which brand has more fragrance-free products, Paula's Choice or No7?
Paula's Choice has more fragrance-free products, as every single product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas 3 of the 13 products on the No7 page contain fragrance.
How do the founding years and corporate ownerships of Paula's Choice and No7 compare?
Paula's Choice was founded in the United States in 1995 and has been owned by Unilever since 2021. In comparison, No7 was founded in the United Kingdom in 1935 and is owned by Sycamore Partners as of 2025.
Which brand performs better for glow, brightening, and anti-aging according to review themes?
No7 performs better for glow, brightening, and anti-aging according to the review themes on this page.
Paula's Choice or No7 for oily skin?
Paula's Choice is a Superior fit for oily skin, whereas No7 is a High fit. Review themes show Paula's Choice does better for acne and blemish control.
Paula's Choice or No7: which sunscreen is better?
Paula's Choice offers the Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50, which helps protect the skin with a High fit for dry and combination skin. No7 features sunscreens like the Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Day Cream and Lift & Luminate Day Cream, which are well-suited with a High fit for mature skin.
Paula's Choice or No7 for sensitive skin?
Paula's Choice is a better fit for sensitive skin, offering a Superior routine compared to No7's High fit. Every product on the Paula's Choice page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, helping reduce the likelihood of skin irritation.
Paula's Choice or No7 for acne-prone skin?
Paula's Choice is a better option for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its overall routine as Superior compared to High for No7. Reviewers also note that Paula's Choice does better with acne and blemish control.
Research behind their key ingredients
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging in vivo
Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine
Topical glutathione amino acid precursors protect skin against environmental and oxidative stress
Tocotrienol-rich fraction attenuates UV-induced inflammaging: A bench to bedside study
Chemical peels for acne vulgaris: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials
The impacts of sodium lauroyl sarcosinate in facial cleanser on facial skin microbiome and lipidome
Nanostructured Lipid Carrier for Topical Application of N-Acetyl Glucosamine
Borage Oil Treated with Immobilized Lipase Inhibits Melanogenesis
Supramolecular collagen nanoparticles for anti-wrinkle, skin whitening, and moisturizing effects
Novel beads made of alpha-cyclodextrin and oil for topical delivery of a lipophilic drug
The evaluation of aluminum oxide crystal microdermabrasion for photodamage
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
Clinical and histologic changes determine optimal treatment regimens for microdermabrasion
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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