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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 established skincare brands offering distinct approaches to supporting various complexions. The American line specializes in serums, cleansers, moisturizers, and toners featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin C, which suit acne-prone and oily skin best. Conversely, the Japanese brand is deeply loved for its hydrating toners, gentle makeup removers, and nourishing moisturizers driven by advanced science, catering primarily to dry and acne-prone skin. While both incorporate hydrating ingredients to restore the skin barrier, Paula's Choice relies on targeted acid treatments for specific concerns, whereas its counterpart utilizes expertly crafted formulas to deliver essential moisture and soothe irritation without clogging pores.

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 · 95% fit

Paula's Choice vs Hada Labo routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

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

Both brands are great, but they serve different needs since Paula's Choice helps best with acne and texture while Hada Labo is superior for deep hydration and value. The products on this page offer fragrance-free formulas for both brands, with Paula's Choice delivering high routine fit across multiple skin concerns and Hada Labo providing lightweight toners that may help boost moisture.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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

Paula's Choice helps with acne clearing, texture improvement, and brightening, whereas Hada Labo is better for deep hydration and moisturization. Lovi rates both brands as having Superior routine fit across nearly all skin types, with Hada Labo standing out for its value and gentle, fragrance-free formulations.

Paula's Choice or Hada Labo for dry skin?

Both brands are a strong choice for dry skin, with Lovi rating Hada Labo as Superior and Paula's Choice as High. Hada Labo excels with deep hydration and moisturization, while the products on this page by Paula's Choice also help improve skin texture and reduce signs of aging.

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 with hydration, though Lovi rates the routine fit for dry skin as High for Paula's Choice and Superior for Hada Labo.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

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

Hada Labo is more affordable, as value and affordability are mostly mentioned as a positive for the brand.

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

Paula's Choice is better for brightening and dark spots, supported by ingredients like niacinamide which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Which brand performs better for hydration and plumping, Paula's Choice or Hada Labo?

Hada Labo performs better for hydration and plumping compared to Paula's Choice. Topical hyaluronic acid, a key ingredient across Hada Labo products, helps improve skin quality and signs of aging,.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

Do Paula's Choice and Hada Labo products contain any fragrance?

Every product on this page for both Paula's Choice and Hada Labo lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Paula's Choice or Hada Labo for oily skin?

For oily skin, Lovi rates both Paula's Choice and Hada Labo as having a Superior routine fit, with Paula's Choice helping with acne clearing and Hada Labo focusing on deep hydration.

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

Paula's Choice fits acne-prone skin well, with Lovi rating the routine as High. Hyaluronic acid helps provide moisture, while salicylic acid helps clear acne and pores.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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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