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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 skin-care lines offering serums, cleansers, moisturizers, toners, and more. The American brand, founded in 1995 and owned by Unilever since 2021, is known for hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin c, suiting oily skin and mature skin best. Conversely, the German brand, founded in 2018, is loved for moisturizers, serums, and eye products built around its preparations, suiting dry skin and mature skin best. Both differ through their key ingredients, such as glycerin, which significantly increased skin hydration and restored barrier function in Paula's Choice, while Augustinus Bader supports the skin through its proprietary properties.

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”
  • 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

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Paula's Choice vs Augustinus Bader routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Paula's Choice vs Augustinus Bader routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

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

Paula's Choice is better for clearing acne and firming aging skin, while Augustinus Bader is better for deep hydration and radiance. Lovi shows that Paula's Choice has a Superior routine fit for oily and acne-prone skin, whereas Augustinus Bader has a Superior routine fit for dry and sensitive skin.

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

Paula's Choice fits best for oily skin, mature skin, and oily acne-prone skin with products like salicylic acid and retinol, while Augustinus Bader fits best for dry skin, mature skin, and dry sensitive skin using TFC8. Paula's Choice helps with anti-aging, firming, and clearing acne, whereas Augustinus Bader helps improve radiance, glow, and deep hydration.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

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. Products like hyaluronic acid help provide deep hydration and improve skin quality.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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

Augustinus Bader provides superior moisturizers for dry skin, while the products on this page show Paula's Choice works well for oily skin with options like Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer. Augustinus Bader may help deliver deep hydration, whereas Paula's Choice is known for anti-aging and firming results.

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

Paula's Choice is generally more affordable than Augustinus Bader, although high prices are mentioned for the products on this page from both brands.

Between Paula's Choice and Augustinus Bader, which brand performs better for anti-aging and firming results?

Paula's Choice performs better for anti-aging and firming results. Retinol, a key ingredient found in the products on this page, helps stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged human skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000

How do the foundation years and parent companies of Paula's Choice and Augustinus Bader compare?

Paula's Choice was founded in 1995 in the United States and has been owned by Unilever since 2021, whereas Augustinus Bader was founded in 2018 in Germany and is independently owned.

Which brand is better suited for addressing skin with dark spots, Paula's Choice or Augustinus Bader?

Augustinus Bader has a Superior routine fit for skin with dark spots, whereas Paula's Choice has a High fit level for the products on this page. Augustinus Bader may provide better radiance and glow, while Paula's Choice offers targeted anti-aging and firming results.

Paula's Choice or Augustinus Bader for oily skin?

Both brands achieve a Superior fit for oily skin. Paula's Choice is formulated with targeted ingredients like salicylic acid and niacinamide, which help control excess oil and clear pores, while Augustinus Bader offers lightweight moisturizers.

Paula's Choice or Augustinus Bader for sensitive skin?

Augustinus Bader has a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin, while Paula's Choice has a High fit. Augustinus Bader may deliver better glow and deep hydration, whereas Paula's Choice is often noted for anti-aging serums.

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

Paula's Choice fits acne-prone skin better, offering a Superior routine compared to Augustinus Bader's High routine fit. Products on this page help clear acne, unclog pores, and reduce blemishes without added fragrance.

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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