Beauty Comparison
Paula's Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol & 2% Bakuchiol Treatment

Photo and link: Amazon

Paula's Choice

Clinical 0.3% Retinol & 2% Bakuchiol Treatment

retinol serum · 30 ml · Skincare

Paula's Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol & 2% Bakuchiol Treatment is free of fragrance, essential oils, labelled fragrance allergens, drying alcohol, sulfates, parabens and MI / MCI, going by its full 67-ingredient list, with ceramides, glycerin and retinoids. List checked November 5, 2026.

The catch: it contains silicones (Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer).

  • Fragrance-free
  • No essential oils
  • No labelled fragrance allergens
  • No drying alcohol
  • Sulfate-free
  • Contains silicones
  • Paraben-free
  • No MI/MCI

Listed on Amazon in: United Kingdom · Germany · France · Italy · Spain · Netherlands · Poland · Sweden

Key ingredients in Clinical 0.3% Retinol & 2% Bakuchiol Treatment

  • Ceramides

    Skin-identical lipids that help hold the skin barrier together.

  • Glycerin

    A classic humectant that keeps skin hydrated.

  • Retinoids

    Vitamin A forms that speed cell turnover for lines, texture and breakouts.

  • Vitamin C

    An antioxidant that brightens and evens tone.

  • Peptides

    Signal ingredients used in firming and anti-ageing formulas.

  • Allantoin

    A soothing, softening ingredient.

  • Shea butter

    A rich emollient for dry skin and hair.

  • Bakuchiol

    A plant-derived retinol alternative.

  • Dimethicone

    A skin protectant that forms a breathable barrier.

  • Vitamin E

    An antioxidant that protects the formula and the skin.

Full ingredient list, decoded

67 ingredients, in label order (highest amount first; below about 1% the order is free).

  1. 1AquaAqua is the INCI name for water, the main base of many creams, lotions and cleansers…
  2. 2DimethiconeDimethicone is a silicone, a light, water-resistant oil that forms a smooth, breathable…Silicones
  3. 3Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
  4. 4Isononyl Isononanoate
  5. 5Butylene GlycolButylene Glycol is a clear, odorless liquid that attracts and holds water. It is a…
  6. 6Bakuchiol
  7. 7Arachidyl Alcohol
  8. 8Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
  9. 9Dimethicone CrosspolymerDimethicone Crosspolymer is a flexible, network-like silicone that gives a soft, smooth…Silicones
  10. 10Behenyl AlcoholBehenyl alcohol is a long-chain fatty alcohol, a waxy solid that softens skin and hair…
  11. 11GlycerinGlycerin is a clear, thick, odorless liquid that pulls water into the skin and helps…
  12. 12PEG-75 Shea Butter Glycerides
  13. 13Glyceryl StearateGlyceryl stearate is a waxy blend of glycerin and stearic acid, a fatty acid from plant…
  14. 14C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateA light, fast-absorbing ester made from benzoic acid and C12-15 fatty alcohols. It…
  15. 15Polysorbate 20Polysorbate 20 is a mild, water-soluble emulsifier made from sorbitol and a lauric-type…
  16. 16Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
  17. 17Retinol
  18. 18Ceramide NG
  19. 19Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
  20. 20Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
  21. 21muidoS etanorulayH
  22. 22Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
  23. 23Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
  24. 24Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel ExtractA plant-derived ingredient made from the kernels of the oat seed. Its main job is to…
  25. 25Arctium Lappa (Burdock) Root Extract
  26. 26xilaS Alba (Willow) Bark Extract
  27. 27Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols
  28. 28LecithinLecithin is a natural mix of fatty substances called phospholipids, taken from plant or…
  29. 29AllantoinAllantoin is a white crystalline powder that soothes and softens skin and is widely…
  30. 30Tocopheryl AcetateTocopheryl Acetate is a stable form of vitamin E. Its main job is to act as an…
  31. 31Hydrolyzed Soy ProteinA soy protein that has been broken into smaller pieces, so it can coat hair and skin…
  32. 32Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
  33. 33Sodium HydroxideSodium hydroxide is a strong alkali, also called caustic soda. In small amounts it…
  34. 34TribeheninTribehenin is a waxy, solid ester made from glycerin and behenic acid. Its main job is…
  35. 35Caprylyl GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a mild, multi-tasking ingredient that softens skin and helps keep…
  36. 36Dipeptide-2
  37. 37Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
  38. 38PEG-10 Phytosterol
  39. 39PEG-8A small, water-loving synthetic polymer that helps formulas hold moisture and keeps oil…
  40. 40Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
  41. 41Arachidyl Glucoside
  42. 42Chrysin
  43. 43Pentylene GlycolPentylene Glycol is a small, multi-tasking liquid that attracts water to the skin and…
  44. 44Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
  45. 45Steareth-20Steareth-20 is a gentle emulsifier, made from stearyl alcohol and ethylene oxide, that…
  46. 46Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
  47. 47Cetearyl AlcoholA waxy fatty alcohol blend that thickens formulas and helps oil and water mix into…
  48. 48Coco-GlucosideCoco-Glucoside is a mild, plant-based cleanser made from coconut-derived fatty alcohols…
  49. 49Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone
  50. 50N-Hydroxysuccinimide
  51. 51Disodium EDTADisodium EDTA is a salt of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, a chelating agent that…
  52. 52PhenoxyethanolA synthetic preservative that helps stop bacteria, yeast and mold from growing in…
  53. 53Benzoic AcidA small, naturally occurring acid that helps keep formulas fresh by slowing the growth…
  54. 54EthylhexylglycerinEthylhexylglycerin is a lab-made, skin-friendly ingredient that boosts the power of…
  55. 55BHASalicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid, or BHA, that gently exfoliates skin and helps…
  56. 56BHTBHT is a synthetic antioxidant that slows down oxidation, the process that makes oils…
  57. 57BiotinBiotin is a water-soluble B vitamin, also called vitamin B7 (it dissolves in water). In…
  58. 58Chlorohexidine Digluconate
  59. 59GlucoseGlucose is a simple sugar, usually made from corn or other starches. In skincare it…
  60. 60Potassium Bitartrate
  61. 61Potassium SorbatePotassium sorbate is the potassium salt of sorbic acid, a mild preservative that helps…
  62. 62Sodium CitrateSodium Citrate is the sodium salt of citric acid, a mild, fruit-derived acid. It mainly…
  63. 63Sorbitan IsostearateSorbitan Isostearate is a common emulsifier made by joining sorbitol with isostearic…
  64. 64Tocopherol (Viscosity controling agent)Tocopherol is vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant. Its main job is to slow the…
  65. 65Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
  66. 66Citric AcidCitric acid is a mild, naturally occurring acid found in citrus fruit. In skincare and…
  67. 67Lactic Acid (skin conditioning agen

Source: Paula's Choice product page, www.paulaschoice.co.uk/clinical-retinol-bakuchiol-treatment/m8015.html, retrieved November 5, 2026.

Every flag we check

CheckResultIngredients found
FragranceNone listed—
Essential oilsNone listed—
Labelled fragrance allergensNone listed—
Drying alcoholNone listed—
SulfatesNone listed—
SiliconesContainsDimethicone (#2), Dimethicone Crosspolymer (#9)
ParabensNone listed—
MI / MCINone listed—
Formaldehyde releasersNone listed—
Mineral oil & petrolatumNone listed—
LanolinNone listed—
Chemical UV filtersNone listed—

Frequently asked questions

Is Paula's Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol & 2% Bakuchiol Treatment fragrance-free?

Yes. Paula's Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol & 2% Bakuchiol Treatment lists no parfum or fragrance and no essential oils. Checked against its full ingredient list on November 5, 2026.

Does Paula's Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol & 2% Bakuchiol Treatment contain silicones, sulfates or parabens?

Silicones: yes (Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer). Sulfates: none listed. Parabens: none listed.

What is Paula's Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol & 2% Bakuchiol Treatment good for?

By its ingredient list it fits sensitive skin, eczema-prone skin, contact dermatitis and perfume allergy: it passes every free-from rule we set for those needs. Key ingredients: Ceramides, Glycerin, Retinoids and Vitamin C.

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