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Paula’s Choice is known for ingredient transparency, quality packaging and fragrance-free formulations designed for a wide range of skin types. The direct-to-consumer brand was founded in 1995 by Paula Begoun, then acquired by Unilever in 2021. Paula’s Choice products are now sold on the brand’s website as well at Sephora, Sephora at Kohl’s, Dermstore and Amazon (just confirm the product is “sold by Paula’s Choice Skincare” to avoid any fakes!).
There’s a lot to love about Paula’s Choice, however, if you’re looking for drugstore prices instead of PC’s mid-tier price point, there are other skincare companies to check out that offer products pretty similar to the originals. Check out our roundup of Paula’s Choice bestsellers and their dupe counterparts that are a fraction of the price.
Why Is Paula’s Choice So Popular?
Launched in 1995 by makeup artist and esthetician Paula Begoun as a direct-to-consumer brand, Begoun’s aim with Paula’s Choice was to offer reasonably-priced skincare products with ingredient transparency and plenty of information. She wanted her customers to be educated and informed about what they were putting on their skin and what products would be best for their skin type and goals.
The brand is now owned by Unilever and can be found in stores and online, but it still prioritizes the same goals: Offering good-for-you-skin products that suit a range of skin types at a mid-tier price point.
The Best Paula’s Choice Skincare Dupes
The Original: Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Image: AmazonBy far the most popular Paula’s Choice product, the company’s leave-on Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, is beloved for its skin-clearing benefits. It contains a beta hydroxy acid, salicylic acid, which helps to reduce oil, unclog pores and treat and prevent breakouts. Beta hydroxy acids are chemical exfoliators, so this will also help brighten dull complexions. The addition of green tea here can help soothe your skin. Overall, this is a winner.
Price: $33.25 at Amazon
The Dupe: Farmacy Deep Sweep 2% BHA Pore Cleaning Toner with Moringa + Papaya
Image: SephoraFarmacy Deep Sweep contains 2% salicylic acid, offering the same effective skin-brightening and -clearing as the Paula’s Choice exfoliant. The product also has papaya enzymes to exfoliate, as well as vitamin- and antioxidant-rich moringa seed.
Originally launched at Sephora in 2015 (and now owned by P&G), cruelty-free Farmacy is an excellent brand that strives to use quality ingredients — and give back as well, by donating to organizations in the U.S. and Canada that address domestic hunger.
Price: $17 at Sephora
Another Dupe: Peach Slices Acne Exfoliating Toner
Image: CVSPeach Slices, sister line to K-beauty brand Peach & Lily, offers an affordable Acne Exfoliating Toner with, yep, 2% salicylic acid, as well as the alpha hydroxy acid, lactic acid, for additional exfoliating benefits. You’ll also find allantoin, cucumber fruit water and glycerin to hydrate and soothe your skin.
Price: $13.49 at CVS
The Original: Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster
Image: Paula’s ChoiceWith 15% vitamin C (in the form of ascorbic acid), vitamin E, mushroom-derived antioxidant Ergothioneine and ferulic acid (which helps keep vitamin C stable, among many other benefits), Paula’s Choice newly-reformulated Vitamin C serum offers users an instant glow, a more even skin tone as well as protection from pollution, sun damage and more.
Vitamin C is well-known for what it can do for your skin, but also (and unfortunately) because it breaks down easily if it’s exposed to sun, heat, or air, it’s important to choose a vitamin C product that is properly formulated and packaged, like this one. (And then make sure you use it and store it away from the elements!)
Price: $55 at Paula’s Choice
The Dupe: Timeless Skin Care Vitamin C and E Ferulic Acid Serum
Image: TargetTimeless offers a leave-on product with a higher concentration of vitamin C in their best-selling serum — it contains 20% L-ascorbic acid, along with vitamin E and ferulic acid. It’s fragrance- and dye-free, vegan and cruelty-free.
Some people with sensitive skin might find this concentration of vitamen C too high (at least to start off with), so Timeless also offers this serum with 10% vitamin C, if you prefer.
Price: $25.99 at Amazon
The Original: Paula’s Choice RESIST Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense Face Sunscreen SPF 30
Image: SephoraYou’ve heard it before, but wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher year-round is, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, essential, to say the least.
Sunscreen helps reduce your risk of skin cancer and can also keep your skin looking its best by protecting it from sun damage. Paula’s Choice popular, lightweight sunscreen with a matte finish is SPF 30. It also comes with nourishing ingredients like green tea, goji fruit, glycerin, oat bran and pomegranate extract. With all that it has to offer, using this feels like skincare instead of a chore.
Price: $39 at Sephora
The Dupe: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer UV
Image: AmazonTo be fair, this isn’t a copycat. French pharmacy brand La Roche-Posay began offering their healing skincare products in 1975, so they’re hardly new kids on the block. The brand’s excellent face sunscreen offers SPF 30 and a light, oil- and fragrance-free formula. It also contains added ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide and soothing thermal water so your skin feels taken care of when you use it.
Price: $23.99 at Amazon
The Original: Paula’s Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster
Image: SephoraAzelaic acid is a mild chemical exfoliant that’s helpful for all sorts of things, like improving skin texture and tone, reducing redness, breakouts and dark spots. It also makes skin look refreshed and radiant — and it’s well tolerated, even on people who have sensitive skin. This Azelaic acid booster from Paula’s Choice also contains salicylic acid, along with a calming licorice root extract. Use it as a spot treatment, or all over. You’ll love it!
Price: $39 at Sephora
The Dupe: Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10%
Image: AmazonNaturium is a cruelty-free, vegan, fragrance-free brand. Their budget-friendly 10% Azelaic Acid serum also contains niacinamide, vitamin C and coffee seed extract.
Price: $19.99 at Amazon
The Original: Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Gloss Balm
Image: Paula’s ChoiceThis plumping peptide lip gloss/balm is a new Paula’s Choice product. It’s made with three peptides to add fullness to your smile as well as lasting hydration. It goes on nice and glossy, with a clear finish, and has a pleasant vanilla scent.
Price: $24 at Paula’s Choice
The Dupe: Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment
Image: RhodeHailey Bieber’s Rhode line has a peptide lip balm made with shea butter, peptides, Babassu and other softening ingredients to keep your lips moisturized. There are four versions to choose from: unscented, salted caramel, watermelon or vanilla. Rhode is a cruelty-free, vegan brand.
Price: $18 at Rhode
Another Dupe: Biossance Pro-PeptideTM Lip Perfector
Image: AmazonSay goodbye dry, chapped lips and hello to a shiny, full smile with Biossance’s vanilla-scented, peptide-, squalane- and hyaluronic acid-infused lip treatment. Get this in a clear tint, or opt for a berry or pink tint if you want a touch of color, too.
Price: $16.20 at Amazon
The Original: Paula’s Choice CALM Ultra-Gentle Cleanser
Image: AmazonSensitive skin types, including people with eczema or rosacea, will appreciate the gentle cleanse they get using CALM Ultra-Gentle Cleanse. It’s made with glycerin, a humectant that draws water to your face, triglycerides and prebiotics. The product offers a soothing, gel-lotion consistency that feels great on your face.
Price: $22 at Amazon
The Dupe: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Gel Cleanser
Image: TargetNeutrogena’s glycerin and hyaluronic acid gel cleanser from their popular Hydro Boost line boasts the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance, meaning it’s typically well-tolerated by people with sensitive skin, including those with eczema. It’s fragrance-free (recommended if your skin is easily reactive) and leaves your face feeling refreshed.
Price: $13.69 at Target
Another Dupe: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Image: TargetCeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser also features the National Eczema Association seal. This affordable cleanser is made with CeraVe’s hero ingredient, barrier-repairing ceramides to support skin health. It also contains glycerin and hyaluronic acid.
Price: $14.49 at Target
The Original: Paula’s Choice Skin Revealing Body Lotion 10% AHA
Image: AmazonWith glycolic acid (an alpha-hydroxy acid) to offer chemical exfoliation and nourishing shea butter for moisture, Paula’s Choice unscented Skin Revealing Body Lotion is an excellent body moisturizer that also smooths rough, dry skin.
Price: $30.40 at Amazon
The Dupe: Alpha Skin Care Revitalizing Body Lotion with 12% Glycolic AHA
Image: AmazonThis Renewal Body Lotion from Alpha Skin Care contains 12% glycolic acid and comes in a big 12-ounce bottle with a convenient pump top for easy application. It’s also fragrance-free.
Price: $21 at Amazon
Another Dupe: AmLactin Intensive Healing Cream with 15% Lactic Acid AHA
Image: AmazonAmLactin’s body lotion contains 15% lactic acid, an AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid) that is a little less intense than its sibling glycolic acid, meaning it’s gentler and the way to go if you’re prone to dry or sensitive skin. This excellent fragrance-free moisturizer also contains vitamin E and squalane to keep skin feeling silky soft, and ceramides to support and nourish skin.
Price: $19.95 at Amazon
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