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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 two distinct skincare lines offering targeted serums, cleansers, moisturizers, and toners built around science-backed formulas and key ingredients like glycerin. The American brand features products that suit oily skin and acne-prone skin best, while the Japanese counterpart creates nourishing moisturizers and hydrating toners that suit dry skin and acne-prone skin best. Both utilize ingredients that significantly increase skin hydration and restore barrier function, yet they differ in their heritage, with one founded in 1995 and the other in 2004.

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 · 99% fit

Paula's Choice vs Hada Labo routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% 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?

Paula's Choice and Hada Labo both achieve a Superior routine fit for oily, combination, acne-prone, mature, and oily acne-prone skin, while Hada Labo reaches a Superior routine fit for dry skin and skin with dark spots where Paula's Choice is High. Hada Labo does better for hydration and plumping, whereas Paula's Choice does better for lightweight texture and acne clearing.

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

Paula's Choice excels in acne clearing, texture improvement, and brightening with a Superior fit for oily, acne-prone, and mature skin, while Hada Labo focuses on deep hydration with a Superior fit for dry skin and dark spots. Both brands are fragrance-free, but Paula's Choice offers lightweight texture and absorption, whereas Hada Labo provides better value.

Paula's Choice or Hada Labo for dry skin?

For dry skin, Hada Labo achieves a Superior routine fit, while Paula's Choice reaches a High fit. Hada Labo focuses on deep hydration and moisturization with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

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

Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer has a Lovi fit level of Average for dry skin, while Hada Labo Gokujyun Perfect Gel has a Lovi fit level of High for dry skin. Hada Labo helps provide deep hydration and moisturization with hyaluronic acid.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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

Hada Labo is more affordable than Paula's Choice, as reviewers frequently note its better value and price. Lovi rates both brands as having Superior or High fit levels across most skin types on the products on this page.

Between Paula's Choice and Hada Labo, which brand is better for skin with dark spots?

For skin with dark spots, Hada Labo achieves a Superior Lovi fit level while Paula's Choice reaches a High level, making Hada Labo the better option. Reviewers often note Hada Labo for its brightening and dark spot reduction benefits.

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

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

Which brand performs better when it comes to hydration and plumping according to review themes?

When it comes to hydration and plumping, Hada Labo does better according to review themes. Hyaluronic acid is used across its products to help provide deep moisture.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Paula's Choice or Hada Labo for oily skin?

Both Paula's Choice and Hada Labo achieve a Lovi fit level of Superior for oily skin. Paula's Choice features fragrance-free products on this page tailored to oily and acne-prone skin, while Hada Labo provides lightweight, fast-absorbing toners with deep hydration.

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

Both brands achieve a Superior Lovi fit level for acne-prone skin, with Paula's Choice offering a wider range of targeted treatments while Hada Labo focuses on deep hydration.

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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