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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 established skincare brands that offer serums, cleansers, moisturizers, and toners. The American line from 1995 features hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin c to suit dry and oily acne-prone skin, while the Japanese brand founded in 2004 utilizes advanced formulas of moisture-replenishing properties for dry and combination skin. Both brands differ in their specific heritage and targeted product strengths, providing thoughtful daily support.

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 · S$263.75 · 99% fitBuy Paula's Choice routine · S$289.57 · 95% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Paula's Choice vs Hada Labo routines for oily skin

Buy Hada Labo routine · S$394.68 · 93% fitBuy Paula's Choice routine · S$531.12 · 91% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Paula's Choice vs Hada Labo routines for combination skin

Buy Hada Labo routine · S$360.41 · 95% fitBuy Paula's Choice routine · S$393.15 · 92% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

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

Both Paula's Choice and Hada Labo are great options, as Lovi rates both brands as having a Superior routine fit across dry, oily, combination, acne-prone, and mature skin types. Paula's Choice tends to do better for brightening dark spots and clearing acne, while Hada Labo excels at providing deep hydration and value.

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

Paula's Choice offers a wider variety of specialized treatments for acne and brightening, while Hada Labo focuses primarily on deep hydration with hyaluronic acid. Both brands feature fragrance-free formulations and achieve a Superior Lovi routine fit for dry skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Paula's Choice or Hada Labo for dry skin?

Both Paula's Choice and Hada Labo achieve a Lovi fit level of Superior for dry skin. Hada Labo helps with deep hydration using hyaluronic acid, while Paula's Choice offers gentle, fragrance-free routines rich in antioxidants and ceramides.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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

Both Paula's Choice and Hada Labo offer moisturizers that achieve a Superior fit for dry skin. Hada Labo tends to excel in deep hydration and moisturization, whereas Paula's Choice is often noted for smooth texture and anti-aging serums.

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

Hada Labo is more affordable, as reviewers frequently note its good value and versatility. Paula's Choice, on the other hand, is mostly mentioned for its high price and packaging issues.

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

Paula's Choice does better for tackling dark spots and brightening than Hada Labo. Paula's Choice features active key ingredients like niacinamide and vitamin C that help improve skin tone and reduce pigmentation.

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

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

Both Paula's Choice and Hada Labo offer products with no fragrance, as every product on this page for both brands lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

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

Hada Labo does better than Paula's Choice for hydration and plumping. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

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 often helps with lightweight texture and absorption, while Hada Labo is well-regarded for deep hydration and moisturization.

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

Both Paula's Choice and Hada Labo achieve a Superior Lovi fit for acne-prone skin. Paula's Choice features targeted ingredients like salicylic acid and niacinamide to help manage breakouts and pores, while Hada Labo relies on gentle, hydrating formulations built around hyaluronic acid.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Drug Delivery, 2017

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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