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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 formulated to address diverse complexion needs. Paula's Choice, the American brand founded in 1995, offers serums, cleansers, moisturizers, and toners built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin C that fit oily and combination skin best. Hada Labo, the Japanese brand founded in 2004, is beloved for its nurturing toners, gentle makeup removers, and deeply nourishing moisturizers crafted from advanced formulas that suit dry and dry sensitive skin best. While both brands rely on moisture-binding ingredients like glycerin to support barrier function, they differ in their targeted approach to individual skin concerns.

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

Buy Hada Labo routine · SAR 1,594.67 · 96% fitBuy Paula's Choice routine · SAR 1,588.72 · 79% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Paula's Choice vs Hada Labo routines for oily skin

Buy Hada Labo routine · SAR 1,522.78 · 92% fitBuy Paula's Choice routine · SAR 1,883.71 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Paula's Choice vs Hada Labo routines for combination skin

Buy Hada Labo routine · SAR 1,395.73 · 92% fitBuy Paula's Choice routine · SAR 1,601.99 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

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

Paula's Choice and Hada Labo both achieve a Superior Lovi fit across every skin type on this page. Paula's Choice specializes in lightweight textures and active-driven treatments for acne and brightening, while Hada Labo focuses on deep hydration and gentle formulas using hyaluronic acid.

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

Paula's Choice focuses on targeted treatments with a wide variety of active ingredients like acids and retinoids, while Hada Labo centers on deep hydration primarily driven by hyaluronic acid. Lovi rates both brands as having a Superior routine fit for dry skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

Paula's Choice or Hada Labo for dry skin?

Hada Labo has a Superior Lovi fit for dry skin, while Paula's Choice has a High fit. Hada Labo focuses on deep hydration and moisturization with 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?

Hada Labo does better for hydration and plumping, while Paula's Choice helps more with texture improvement. For dry skin, Lovi rates Hada Labo Gokujyun Perfect Gel as a High fit, while the products on this page for Paula's Choice fit as Average.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

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

Hada Labo is more affordable, as reviewers often note its great value and versatility compared to Paula's Choice, which faces mostly mentioned feedback about high prices.

Paula's Choice or Hada Labo: which is better for brightening and dark spots?

Paula's Choice does better for brightening and dark spots, offering targeted serums and exfoliants with ingredients like vitamin C and niacinamide. Hada Labo also helps with brightening through products like its Shirojyun Premium line, which features hyaluronic acid.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, Paula's Choice or Hada Labo?

Both Paula's Choice and Hada Labo offer only fragrance-free products on the products on this page, as every item from both brands lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Paula's Choice or Hada Labo: which offers better hydration and plumping?

Hada Labo offers better hydration and plumping, leaning on hyaluronic acid to help deliver deep moisture and a supple finish. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging by supporting moisture retention in the skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

Paula's Choice or Hada Labo for oily skin?

For oily skin, both brands are great options, with Lovi giving Paula's Choice a High fit and Hada Labo a Superior fit. Paula's Choice focuses on ingredients like salicylic acid and niacinamide, which help clear acne and pores, while Hada Labo provides deep hydration through hyaluronic acid.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Paula's Choice or Hada Labo for sensitive skin?

Both brands offer solid options for sensitive skin, with Lovi giving Paula's Choice a High fit and Hada Labo a Superior fit. Hada Labo is often noted for gentle, fragrance-free formulations focused on deep hydration, while Paula's Choice provides targeted active ingredients across the products on this page.

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

For acne-prone skin, Paula's Choice is a better fit overall, whereas Lovi rates Hada Labo as having a Superior routine fit. Paula's Choice offers targeted treatments like salicylic acid and niacinamide that help clear pores and manage blemishes.

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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