Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Replenishing Moisturizer

Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Replenishing Moisturizer: ($19.95 for 2 oz)

Positives: This is quite emollient due to its blend of silicones and  evening primrose oil content, as well as various synthetic thickeners. It has high amounts of several epidermal barrier components and related ingredients such as: glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, sodium PCA, panthenol, and rose fruit oil. It contains moderate amounts of the antioxidants vitamins C (present in two forms magnesium ascorbyl phosphate and sodium ascorbyl phosphate) and E (also present in two forms tocopheryl acetate and tocopheryl linoleate). Along with them are the anti-irritants, dipotassium glycyrrhizate, chamomile, and aloe. Finally, there are two peptides, palmitoyl oligopeptide, which may stimulate collagen and elastin production, and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-3. The latter has been shown in company-sponsored studies to suppress various cytokines in the body that typically cause inflammation. Whether or not this happens when applied topically, is unknown. However, like most proteins, this will act as an excellent water-binding agent due to its palmitic acid content.

Neutrals: None.

Negatives: None, as usual. Surprise, surprise.

Packaging: This is packaged in a sleek, opaque tube.

Overall: This has a thick texture that takes time to blend over the skin. I’d recommend this for people who have seriously dry skin. While it contains a moderate amount of beneficial ingredients, it certainly isn’t an antioxidant and peptide powerhouse. But it’s a blessing for dry skin types, and would work excellent in-tandem with an antioxidant/peptide-rich hydrating (water-binding) serum and toner.

Score:

PS = [[[PIS – 0] x WIC] + [TPS x WPC]] x 100%

PS = [[8.5/10 x 2/3] + [3/3 x 1/3]] x 100%

PS = [17/30 + 3/9] x 100%

PS = [51/90 + 30/90] x 100%

PS = 81/90 x 100%

PS = .900 x 100%

PS = 90.0%

AS = A-

Check the Product Review Rubric for a full explanation on how I rate products.

Ingredients:

Water, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate (emollient), Butylene Glycol (water-binding agent), Glycereth-26 (thickener), Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil (non-volatile plant oil), Cetyl Alcohol (thickener), Cyclopentasiloxane (skin-conditioning agent), Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate (thickeners), Glycerin (skin-identical ingredient), Cyclohexasiloxane (skin-conditioning agent), Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-3 (cell-communicating ingredients), Sodium Hyaluronate (water-binding agent), Tocopheryl Linoleate, Tocopheryl Acetate (antioxidant/vitamin E), Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (antioxidant/vitamin C), Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate (licorice-derived anti-irritant), Sodium PCA (water-binding agent), Panthenol (soothing agent), Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract (anti-irritant/soothing agent), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (water-binding agent), Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (antioxidant/vitamin C), Tetradibutyl Pentaerithrityl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (antioxidant), Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate (skin-conditioning agents), Hydroxypropyl Guar (gel-based thickener), Propylene Glycol (slip agent), Allantoin (anti-irritant), Rosa Canina (Dog Rose) Fruit Oil (non-volatile plant oil), Dimethicone, Simethicone (silicone slip agents), Polysorbate 20 (emulsifier), Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose (thickener), Carbomer (gel-based thickener), Sodium Citrate, Triethanolamine (pH adjusters), Trisodium EDTA (chelating agent), Batyl Alcohol (stabilizer), Benzoic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Sorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol (all preservatives)