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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 distinguished skincare brands offering distinct approaches to complexion care. Paula's Choice is an American skincare brand founded in 1995 and owned by Unilever since 2021, providing serums, cleansers, moisturizers, toners, and more, built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin c that fit acne-prone skin and oily skin best. Augustinus Bader is a German skincare brand founded in 2018, loved for its nourishing moisturizers, targeted serums, and soothing eye products powered by sophisticated formulas that suit dry skin and dry sensitive skin best. Both differ primarily in their formulation philosophies and targeted skin concerns, as the American brand focuses on active ingredients like glycerin, which significantly increased skin hydration and restored barrier function, while the German brand relies on deeply hydrating compositions to support the complexion with measured, graceful efficacy.

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 · 95% fit

Paula's Choice vs Augustinus Bader routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

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

Augustinus Bader is better for deep hydration and radiance, while Paula's Choice is better for anti-aging and clearing acne. For routine fit across skin types, Lovi rates Augustinus Bader as Superior and Paula's Choice as High.

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

Paula's Choice products on this page help with anti-aging and unclogging pores, whereas Augustinus Bader products on this page are better for radiance, glow, and deep hydration. Paula's Choice is owned by Unilever and founded in the United States, while Augustinus Bader is an independent brand founded in Germany. For dry sensitive skin, Lovi rates Augustinus Bader as Superior and Paula's Choice as Average.

Paula's Choice or Augustinus Bader for dry skin?

Augustinus Bader provides a Superior routine fit for dry skin, whereas Paula's Choice offers a High routine fit for this skin type. Augustinus Bader is often noted for deep hydration, while the products on this page from Paula's Choice feature key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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

Augustinus Bader provides superior moisturizers like The Rich Cream, which helps deliver deep hydration and radiance to dry skin. Paula's Choice also offers effective options such as the Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer and Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer.

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

Paula's Choice is more affordable, while Augustinus Bader is known for an extreme price. Both brands feature products on this page that may have packaging issues.

Which brand performs better for anti-aging and firming results?

Paula's Choice performs better for anti-aging and firming results. The products on this page help smooth texture and reduce the appearance of aging.

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

Paula's Choice or Augustinus Bader for oily skin?

Augustinus Bader is a Superior fit for oily skin, whereas Paula's Choice is a High fit for this skin type. Augustinus Bader brings better glow and deep hydration, while Paula's Choice helps unclog pores and clear acne.

Paula's Choice or Augustinus Bader for sensitive skin?

Paula's Choice fits sensitive skin well with a High routine rating, whereas Augustinus Bader achieves a Superior fit. Both brands offer products on this page containing no fragrance, which helps reduce the likelihood of irritation.

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

For acne-prone skin, Paula's Choice is a strong choice because it helps unclog pores and clears acne better, while Augustinus Bader provides superior deep hydration and glow. Both brands fit acne-prone skin well, with Paula's Choice products on this page achieving a High fit level and Augustinus Bader achieving a Superior fit level.

Paula's Choice or Augustinus Bader for mature skin?

Paula's Choice is better for mature skin due to superior anti-aging and firming results, while Augustinus Bader helps provide deep hydration and radiance. Retinol helps stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged skin.

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

Paula's Choice or Augustinus Bader for skin with dark spots?

Both brands are great choices for skin with dark spots, as Lovi rates the routine fit for both Paula's Choice and Augustinus Bader as High. Paula's Choice products on this page feature targeted ingredients like vitamin C and niacinamide, which may help brighten the complexion.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

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

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