🇮🇪Ireland

Paula's Choice vs Biore

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

Paula's Choice and Biore are skincare brands founded in 1995 and 1980, respectively. The American line relies on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin c across serums, cleansers, moisturizers, and toners, while the Japanese brand is beloved for accessible sunscreens, cleansers, masks, and makeup removers. Both fit mature skin best, though the first also suits oily skin and the second accommodates sensitive skin. They differ primarily in their regional heritage, foundational ingredients, and targeted formulations.

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

unilever.comtracxn.com

Biore is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by Kao Corporation.

biore.comkao.com

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

Popular Paula's Choice vs Biore products

People Say

Paula's ChoiceBiore
  • Lightweight and fast absorption Mostly MentionedOften 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”
    • “melts into skin — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
  • Pore cleansing and clarity Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Gets the gunk out — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
    • “Face feels squeaky clean — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
    • “Helped clear my blackheads — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
    • “cleared my bumps — Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant”
  • Skin texture smoothing Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “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”
    • “Leaves skin feeling clean — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
  • Non-irritating and gentle Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Finally a vitamin C product I can use — Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum”
    • “no stinging — Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster”
    • “Doesn't strip my skin — Paula's Choice CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser”
    • “Leaves skin soft, doesn't dry out face. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
  • Excellent makeup base and removal Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “primer-like — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
    • “Removes waterproof mascara, eyeliner, foundation. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
  • Glow, radiance and brightening Often MentionedNot 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”
  • Unpleasant smell and strong scent Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like grain — Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster”
    • “smells like hot dog water — Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster”
    • “smells like alcohol — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
    • “Smells like chemicals — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
  • High price and small size Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “surprisingly small bottle — Paula's Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment”
  • Dryness, flaking and irritation Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “peeling and flaking — Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment”
    • “dryness and scaliness — Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant”
    • “burnt skin off — Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment”
    • “Made my skin peel — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
  • Purging and breakouts Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “caused cystic acne — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
    • “Caused breakouts, closed comedones, cystic acne. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
    • “skin purged — Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant”

Paula's Choice vs Biore routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Paula's Choice vs Biore routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Paula's Choice vs Biore routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Paula's Choice or Biore: which is better?

Paula's Choice is better suited for oily and acne-prone skin, where Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to Biore's High. Reviewers note that the products on this page help with smoothness and anti-aging, though high prices and packaging issues are mostly mentioned.

What is the difference between Paula's Choice and Biore?

Paula's Choice offers a much wider selection of targeted serums and exfoliants with superior fit levels for oily and acne-prone skin, whereas Biore focuses on fewer core items that reviewers note for pore cleansing and makeup removal. Every product on this page from both brands lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Paula's Choice or Biore for dry skin?

Both Paula's Choice and Biore fit dry skin equally well, as Lovi rates their routines as High for this skin type.

Paula's Choice or Biore: which cleanser is better?

Paula's Choice offers a better cleanser experience for acne-prone, oily, and dry skin types on this page. Every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Which is more affordable, Paula's Choice or Biore?

Biore is noted for high price and small size as a negative review theme on this page, while Paula's Choice is not cited for that issue.

Between Paula's Choice and Biore, which brand has been established longer and where were they founded?

Biore has been established longer, having been founded in Japan in 1980, whereas Paula's Choice was founded in the United States in 1995.

Which brand performs better for pore cleansing and clarity according to review themes?

Biore performs better for pore cleansing and clarity according to review themes.

Do products from Paula's Choice and Biore contain any fragrance in their ingredients?

Every product on this page from both Paula's Choice and Biore lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Paula's Choice or Biore for oily skin?

Paula's Choice is a superior fit for oily skin, whereas Biore has a high fit. The products on this page for Paula's Choice feature key ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid that help manage oil and impurities.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Paula's Choice or Biore: which sunscreen is better?

Paula's Choice has a superior routine fit for oily skin compared to Biore, and the products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients.

Paula's Choice or Biore for sensitive skin?

Paula's Choice is a strong option for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates its routine as High. Every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Paula's Choice or Biore for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Paula's Choice is a superior choice compared to Biore. The products on this page help target breakouts effectively, whereas Biore is linked to purging and breakouts.

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