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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 distinct skincare lines offering serums, cleansers, moisturizers, toners, and makeup removers built around active ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin C. The American brand features formulations tailored best for oily skin and mature skin, while the Japanese brand suits dry skin and acne-prone skin best through gentle, hydrating solutions. Ultimately, both differ in their target complexions and specific product formulations, allowing users to select options that best address their individual skincare needs.

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 · 98% 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 · 95% fit

Questions and answers

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

Both brands are great, as Hada Labo is a superior fit for dry skin, while Paula's Choice is a superior fit for oily and acne-prone skin. Hada Labo helps with deep hydration using hyaluronic acid, whereas Paula's Choice helps with acne clearing and brightening using ingredients like salicylic acid and niacinamide.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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

Paula's Choice fits best for oily skin, mature skin, and oily acne-prone skin, while Hada Labo is best for dry skin, acne-prone skin, and mature skin. Reviewers note that Hada Labo provides deep hydration and value, whereas Paula's Choice offers lightweight textures and brightening benefits.

Paula's Choice or Hada Labo for dry skin?

For dry skin, Hada Labo achieves a Superior routine fit, while Paula's Choice reaches High. Sodium hyaluronate helps improve skin hydration and anti-aging signs.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

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

Paula's Choice and Hada Labo both offer moisturizers that help deliver hydration to the skin, with Hada Labo achieving a Superior fit for dry skin routines on Lovi. Sodium hyaluronate in these products may help improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

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

Hada Labo is more affordable, as reviewers often mention value and versatility while Paula's Choice is mostly noted for a high price.

Which brand performs better for brightening and dark spots?

Paula's Choice performs better for brightening and dark spots according to the review themes on this page. Niacinamide helps control skin aging and pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

How do the founding years and corporate ownerships of Paula's Choice and Hada Labo compare?

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

Paula's Choice or Hada Labo for oily skin?

Both Paula's Choice and Hada Labo are a Superior fit for oily skin. The products on this page help balance sebum production and improve overall skin texture.

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

Both Paula's Choice and Hada Labo fit acne-prone skin with a Superior routine fit level. Paula's Choice helps with acne clearing and pores among the products on this page, while Hada Labo is noted for deep hydration and moisturization.

Paula's Choice or Hada Labo for mature skin?

Both Paula's Choice and Hada Labo fit mature skin well, with Lovi rating Hada Labo as Superior and Paula's Choice as Superior.

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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