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Paula's Choice vs Elemis

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

Paula's Choice and Elemis are established skincare brands that offer distinct approaches to complexion care. Paula's Choice is an American brand founded in 1995 and owned by Unilever since 2021, known for serums, cleansers, moisturizers, and toners built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin C that suit oily and acne-prone skin best. Elemis is a British brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019, celebrated for nourishing serums, rich moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and refining toners that weave together glycerin and shea to suit dry and mature skin best. Both brands differ significantly, as the former relies on glycerin to increase skin hydration and restore barrier function for oilier complexions, while the latter utilizes glycerin and shea butter to reduce inflammation and relieve skin pruritus for deeply restorative care.

Paula's Choice is an American skincare brand founded in 1995 and owned by Unilever since 2021.

unilever.comtracxn.com

Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

This page compares some of the most popular Paula's Choice and Elemis products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Paula's Choice vs Elemis products

People Say

Paula's ChoiceElemis
  • Improving Skin Texture and Smoothness Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
  • Fast Absorption and Lightweight Texture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs quickly and leaves no greasy residue behind. — Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer”
    • “absorbs instantly — Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster”
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “weightless serum — Elemis Pro-Collagen Advanced Eye Treatment”
  • Instant and Deep Hydration Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
  • Glow, Radiance, and Brightening Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “visible glow — Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster”
    • “Discoloration almost gone — Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum”
    • “healthy glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “instantly fresh glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
  • Pleasant Scent Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like a spa — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “smells like a holiday — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “smells like a tropical cocktail — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “Doesn't smell at all — Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum”
  • Anti-Aging and Firming Sometimes NotedSometimes 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”
    • “My neck doesn't sag... plumps my skin to look more youthful. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
  • High Price and Value Issues Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “tiny tube — Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster”
    • “Sooooo expensive — Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum”
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “very expensive — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
  • Packaging Issues and Small Size Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “jar looks half empty — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “tube feels half empty — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “pump broke quickly — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “surprisingly small bottle — Paula's Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment”
  • Unpleasant Smell or Scent Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “smell is overpowering — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “smells like grain — Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster”

Paula's Choice vs Elemis routines for dry skin

Buy Elemis routine · £324.88 · 88% fitBuy Paula's Choice routine · £210.78 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Paula's Choice vs Elemis routines for oily skin

Buy Paula's Choice routine · £280.77 · 92% fitBuy Elemis routine · £290.16 · 76% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Paula's Choice vs Elemis routines for combination skin

Buy Paula's Choice routine · £235.40 · 90% fitBuy Elemis routine · £263.56 · 78% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Paula's Choice or Elemis: which is better?

Paula's Choice is better suited for most skin types on this page, offering Superior fit levels for oily, combination, sensitive, acne-prone, mature skin, and skin with dark spots. Elemis provides a High fit for these categories and is well-regarded for deep hydration, though the products on this page often feature added fragrance.

What is the difference between Paula's Choice and Elemis?

Paula's Choice fits oily, acne-prone, and mature skin at a Superior level, whereas Elemis fits these skin types at a High level. The products on this page from Paula's Choice list no fragrance in their ingredients, while most Elemis products contain fragrance.

Paula's Choice or Elemis for dry skin?

Both brands feature a High routine fit for dry skin, though Paula's Choice relies on fragrance-free formulations with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, while Elemis offers hydrating moisturizers that may provide a radiant glow. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Paula's Choice or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

Paula's Choice offers a better cleanser choice because the products on this page achieve a Superior fit for oily, acne-prone, and oily acne-prone skin, whereas Elemis cleansers reach a High fit for those skin types.

Which is more affordable, Paula's Choice or Elemis?

Both Paula's Choice and Elemis feature high price points as a primary drawback mentioned by reviewers, meaning neither brand stands out as more affordable.

Between Paula's Choice and Elemis, which brand offers fragrance-free products?

Paula's Choice offers fragrance-free products, as every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas most Elemis products contain added fragrance.

How do Paula's Choice and Elemis compare regarding packaging issues?

Elemis is noted for packaging issues and small size, whereas the products on this page for Paula's Choice are mostly mentioned for packaging issues.

Which brand performs better for improving skin texture and smoothness according to reviewers?

Paula's Choice performs better for improving skin texture and smoothness according to reviewers.

Paula's Choice or Elemis for oily skin?

Paula's Choice is a better option for oily skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior compared to High for Elemis. The products on this page for Paula's Choice also include fragrance-free formulations, while Elemis includes fragrance in several of its options.

Paula's Choice or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

Paula's Choice and Elemis both offer moisturizers with a high fit for dry skin, though Paula's Choice features fragrance-free options while Elemis products on this page frequently include added fragrance.

Paula's Choice or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Paula's Choice is a better fit for sensitive skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Elemis's High level. Additionally, every product on the Paula's Choice page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas most Elemis products contain fragrance.

Paula's Choice or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

Paula's Choice is a better fit for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to High for Elemis. The products on this page for Paula's Choice list no fragrance, which helps minimize skin irritation.

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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