Paula's Choice CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment

−66%per oz

Paula's Choice · $48.75CeraVe · $16.49

Shared: Retinol 1%, Licorice
The trade-off: The difference is strength: Paula's Choice states 1% retinol and adds peptides and a vitamin C ester, while CeraVe encapsulates an undisclosed dose for a gentler release and adds niacinamide, which suits a first retinol better than a stronger one.
Sizes: 30 ml against 30 ml

Paula's Choice CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment dupe

CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment costs about $48.75 for 30 ml ($48.06 / fl oz). The closest match below is CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum at $16.49, about 66% less per ounce. Each pair is compared on format, finish and key ingredients, including what the dupe doesn't do.

Night treatment with 1% retinol, peptides, a vitamin C ester and ceramide in a silky base, plus licorice to calm. For skin already used to retinol; start every other night.

Original: $48.75
Cheapest dupe: $16.49
You save: 66%

Amazon prices as of Sep 25, 2026, 7:41 PM ET, subject to change: the price on Amazon at checkout is the one that applies.

Buy the $16.49 dupe See the original

The dupe, side by side

The original

Paula's Choice

CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment

$48.75

$48.06 / fl oz

−66%per oz

Cost per fl oz

Paula's Choice$48.06 / fl oz

CeraVe$16.26 / fl oz

$32.26 less at checkout than the original.

Size: Original · Paula's Choice30 ml; Dupe · CeraVe30 ml
Key ingredients: Original · Paula's ChoiceRetinol 1%, Peptides, Licorice; Dupe · CeraVeRetinol, Niacinamide, Ceramides, Licorice

What matches

Built along the same lines: retinol in a dimethicone serum with ceramides, sodium hyaluronate and a licorice derivative (dipotassium glycyrrhizate) to keep skin calm.

What the dupe does worse

The difference is strength: Paula's Choice states 1% retinol and adds peptides and a vitamin C ester, while CeraVe encapsulates an undisclosed dose for a gentler release and adds niacinamide, which suits a first retinol better than a stronger one.

Buy the original Buy the dupe

Questions

What is the best dupe for Paula's Choice CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment?

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum at about $16.49. Built along the same lines: retinol in a dimethicone serum with ceramides, sodium hyaluronate and a licorice derivative (dipotassium glycyrrhizate) to keep skin calm.

How much cheaper is CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum than CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment?

CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment costs about $48.75 for 30 ml, or $48.06 / fl oz. CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum works out at $16.26 / fl oz, roughly 66% less per ounce.

What does CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum do worse than CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment?