Suprisgly, I reallly like this. At first it went on as white as a ghost but after 10 minutes it was fine and went well under my primer and LM TM. It is only SPF 15, the LM is SPF 20 and since it has pleny of mineral (all mineral) ingr. it has UVA covered. The SPF is for the UVB only and as I am in mostly it will be okay most of the time. The reason I settled on it after trying Clinique for dry to very dry skin is that is is the most moisturizing and does NOT come in a jar. She says it is loaded with antioxidants, cell communicating ingre, etc. and I assume she is at LEAST as honest as the cosmetics companies. I am noticing her pricing goes up and up, this was $21 for 2 oz, plus shipping. But my face really glowed after using this.

Coming from a person who is allergic to Chemical SPF, This is the best Moisturizer/ SPF i have used to date. I have purchased this item several times and I love that I can apply it to my eye area without a concern. This is not for those with oily/ combination skin. This is for drier skin types with sensitivities. What I like the most is the antioxidant content. I feel like I am doing something wonderful for my skin. I apply powder over it and I find it tones down the shiny finish. The new formula is more of a mousse consistency (which is a bonus). I have looked and tried several versions of Physical SPF's and can't find one that compares to this. I will continue to purchase this. It has allowed me to have SPF protection as well as all the antioxidants my skin needs to remain healthy. Also, this does not have fragrance which is beautiful. I can't stand the smell of SPF, especially directly under my nose. This is a definate 5 Lippies for me.

This stuff is marketed to those with "normal, dry and very dry" skin. I would consider my skin to be normal to slightly dry. This left a really greasy sheen on my face after applying a very light layer. Luckily I had thought to try a sample packet first. IMO this is only for someone with very dry skin.

Like other reviewers, I suspect the formula changed a while ago. It's much easier to rub in, but I was ok with the old one anyway. I am usually pretty fair skinned, so if there was a white cast, I might not notice it as much as others. It's my go to sunscreen. No burning eyes, no skin reaction, my Revlon Colorstay and Clinique Repairwear liquid foundations go on top very smoothly - I actually wear this even when I go out in the evening because it makes my foundation look smoother and I swear it has better staying power this way. It's not drying, washes off cleanly and easily, what else can I say? It's the workhorse of my skin routine. My sunspots and freckles seem lighter and fewer since I started using this consistently. Of course, I wouldn't wear this if I were going to be in photos, but luckily, that's not my thing. The only negative thing is the cap to the pump. I love the pump, it works great for me, no air goes back in, but the cap falls off easily and breaks, so it doesn't travel well. I have to put it in a baggy. No big deal though. I've been through probably more than 10 tubes and I've never had a pump break. I've had so much trouble finding sunscreens that don't burn my eyes or break me out in pimples or a rash that I don't plan on ever buying something else.

First, let me start by saying that it irks me Paula does not keep us updated when she tweaks or reformulates a product. When this sunscreen came out a few years ago, I didn't like it at all. It gave a severe white cast, was greasy yet didn't moisturize very well.
I just made a purchase from her site a few weeks ago and bought the Skin Recovery kit since it was cheaper to do that than buy most of the products separately that I needed to replenish. I figured since the SR Moisturizing Lotion SPF 15 was part of it, I'd might as well try it again. It is definitely NOT the same product it was a few years ago. Now, it is creamier and blends so much better. There is barely a white cast at first, but then blends in completely. And it's nicely moisturizing. The ingredient Octinoxate is not present in the formula, either - I'm pretty sure it was in there when it was first launched. I'm pretty sure that ingredient causes my skin irritation. So having removed that sunscreen ingredient is a big plus for me.
This new formulation really works well for my skin. I don't feel like I'm applying a sunscreen product at all. It also creates a nice finish, making makeup application easier.
The price point, though, is expensive, in my opinion. $20.95 is a bit high for something that needs to be applied liberally. I feel sunscreen products should always be sold at a lower price point because it needs to be replaced quite often. However, Paula frequently has sales, so if you stock up when she has 25% off sun products, you'll get it for only $15.71 (U.S. dollars).
The other issue, that I'm pretty sure she's in the process of addressing, is the packaging. The pump doesn't work well at all and the plastic cap cracks and breaks after just a few uses. She's already changed the Skin Balancing SPF 15 and the new Moisture Boost Daily Restoring Complex SPF 20 was launched initially with a squeeze tube, so it's just a matter of time that the Skin Recovery one will be repackaged.
And lastly, she could improve this by making it an SPF 20 or 30.
But despite the small flaws in packaging and the SPF, I will continue to repurchase this product now. This new formula is very luxurious.

I ordered a sample packet of this and I'm glad I did! I'm giving it two lippies for the good ingredients but that's it. It's really hard to spread and even though it's so thick and sticky it leaves my skin feeling dry in a weird way. Plus it has that white cast that's common to many SS. I tried mixing it with my liquid foundation and found that it was much better that way, but I don't want the trouble of mixing two separate products and I don't want to be wearing foundation every day. Maybe I'm just picky but for now I'm sticking with Clinique's City Block which is slightly colored to offset the white cast.

Thank goodness I only received this as a sample packettes.
I am NC 35, with yellow-beige undertone. I used half of the packette which is about 0.03 oz or 0.8 ml. for the entire face, not including the neck. OMG, I looked like an albino, I applied it at home where no one was around. I left it on, 2 hours later, the whitish cast still showed through.
I tossed the other 2 packettes in the trash.

I like many of Paula's products, but this one is going to be hit-or-miss for many people. Altho' Paula Begoun herself claims to be an ingredient watchdog, this product uses a form of anti-freeze - propylene glycol - that the Cosmetics Database says can cause irritation in amounts as low as 2% when applied to the skin.
How much is in this product? We don't know because Paula doesn't tell us! The anti-freeze is probably added to give some "slip" to the formula. However, as others have noted below, the product doesn't glide very well, so there probably isn't a lot.
The texture of the product is indeed thick, heavy, and somewhat putty-like. When using it, I was struck by its marked "Play-Dough" modelling clay odor.
Paula prides herself on avoiding unnecessary fragrances that could cause allergies in her products, but! Perhaps she could find a "masking" scent here, because the smell is initially off-putting.
Fortunately, it dissipates very quickly. Despite these concerns, the moisturizer does go into the skin with only a little friction - however, you do have to rub hard enough to leave your cheeks a little red. But this is a common issue with non-chemical sunscreens, that's just the nature of the beast here. Burt's Bees sunscreen products, for example, are the same way.
Using one of Paula's tinted moisturizers or color products on top however will even your skin tone back out, and to be fair, these color products sit nicely on top of this moisturizer.
I have combo skin and feared this odd-smelling and heavy product would break me out - and since it's not particulary "moist" feeling, I wasn't sure it would moisturize my dry areas.
Despite all my qualms, this product actually worked quite well on top of Paula's Hydrating Toner. I didn't break out on a 70 degree spring day, my cheeks didn't dry out in my overly dry office, and her makeup stayed on for about 7 hours in a standard work environment when layered over it.
What keeps me for saying that I would buy this product again is the amount of rubbing it takes to get into your skin. You can use one of Paula's SPF 15 color products for sunscreen, and they are much easier to get on.

This is a good sunscreen as far as the ingredients go, the packaging and the price. But that's about it.
It was a sticky, hard to spread/blend consistancy and takes a lot of rubbing to get it to disappear.
However, it leaves a shiny residue that I would never wear alone. So under make-up it's ok.

I stopped using it. It's greasy. Now I use the regular PC skin recovery moisturizer and then apply Neutrogena's Ultra sheer dry touch sunblock.
I will try to finish the tube - and use oil absorbing paper and apply face powder, hopefull reduce the greasiness.

I purchased this product based on a question that I asked Paula Begnoun's customer service. I enjoy many of her skincare products and thought I would try a cream specific for dry skin with SPF that would be safe and appropriate for daytime under the eyes.
First this cream smells like plastic and play dough combined, very disgusting. Second I found this product to be too greasy and didn't absorb therefore causing very poor m/u and concealer application which lead to creasing. Finally I tried to use this cream (despite the smell) on other areas such as my dry knees and elbows and even there it just didn't absorb. Don't recommend this product due to the grease factor and smell.

I like almost everything about this moisturizer.
I like the spf (15 is high enough for the climate here, and it's a physical ss, which is better tolerated by my skin), I like the ingredients (very good and gentle, no fragrance), I like that it's not animal-tested, I like the 'look' of the lotion (gives my sometimes slightly red skin a sheer, matte, kind of soft-focus appearance: NO white cast!) and I like the pump-packaging.
The only thing I don't really like, is the texture. I wouldn't call it especially greasy, but it defenitely doesn't sink right in. It also doesn't spread easy over my face. And that's a pity. I guess it's just a bit too heavy and moisturizing for my combination skintype, but then again, the Paula's Choice ss's for oilier skintypes don't have the psysical filter. So for me this is a compromise, one that for now I mainly enjoy to use.
Edit: another lippie off: this makes my face feel tacky for the whole day, even when applied very sparse. I really don't like the feel of it.

I live in Australia and is winter at the moment so I really needed a good moisturiser due to all the heating. I actually really like this product. No fragrance, very moisturising (i have very dry and sensitive skin). Great packaging. I put a little bit of Clinique sheer city over this because I think there is a very slight white cast, this makes my skin look great with no makeup on. But I guess it sounds like you need very dry skin for this to work. Price is average

A lovely MUAer sent me a tube of this after she tried it and didn't like it. Well, I didn't like it either. It's smells like Playdoh and is super greasy. Glad I didn't buy it or I would've returned it. I have yet to find a PC product that I like/can use.

I'm torn about this product. On the one hand, the UVA/UVB protection is excellent, the texture is elegant, definitely moisturizing, loads of antioxidants, paraben free, fragrance free and a decent price in a handy pump tube.
But it gives a white cast, which is why I won't repurchase.
Mineral sunscreens are great if you can tolerate them, I've tried so many, but if your skin isn't smooth as cut crystal or has flakes or any roughness I find that the titanium dioxide and zinc oxide sink right into these areas, resulting in a blotchy mess of white (and I'm quite fair as it is).
I would say this sunscreen is worth a try, it really does feel nice on the skin and I think the formulation is great. If it looks shear on your skin then you've got a real winner.
EDIT 03/12/10: I don't know what changed, but this product is fabulous now. I wonder if because my skin has become a great deal smoother because of Paula's Choice 2% BHA Gel plus the Skin Recovery Cleanser and Toner I no longer have much of a white cast on my skin and there's no mess of white anymore. I'm really pleased with it. Give it a shot!

I'll give this 4 lippies, although I wouldn't purchase this again. Only reason is because I prefer her Pure Mineral Sunscreen SPF15 for face and body that comes in the 6oz. bottle and only costs $15!!! IMO, that one is easier to spread on the skin and actually feels more moisturizing than this one, and (on my face) is more cosmetically elegant under makeup. I also think that this one might cause minor breakouts, and the other one does not. Also, I just noticed she raised the price on this from $18 to $20 for only 2oz., that's crazy, when the other one is such a good value!!! I should also mention that I am very fair and therefore love the white cast this (and the other one) gives because it evens out the redness in my face and helps hide blemishes/scars. Would not re-purchase.

I've been looking for a nice mineral SPF moisturizer & this is my fav so far, plus it has a good amount of antioxidants which I've been wanting to bump up in my routine. I tried it even though my skin is more normal than dry, although I do use Differin and need more moisture in the winter. I'd say the texture is a light/medium cream that absorbs well & works under makeup. I expected it to be greasy but have not had issues although it may be too much once summer rolls around. Just for reference, I too have tried Clinique Repairwear SPF 15 (in the pump bottle version) and did not care for the texture which actually left my skin feeling drier, plus it burned upon application.

I'm fair so I don't notice a white cast, however, I could see dark complexions possibly having that issue. I have not broken out either which would be a dealbreaker.

I do think Paula's prices are creeping up too much lately but she runs specials & I got 10% off with free shipping so not too bad. I do wish I didn't have to order it though.

Ingredient list is posted on her website: http://www.paulaschoice.com/product/skin-recover-daily-moisturizing-lotion-spf15-antioxidants/moisturizers

UPDATE 12/09: I still think this is a good antioxidant, broad spectrum daily SPF for drier skin, however, I stopped using it. My skin went back to being a bit oilier around springtime this year & the dry down for this started feeling just a bit tacky - or actually I would call it grabby if that makes sense. Anything I tried to put over it like foundation or powder stuck to it unevenly. Bummer.
I'm not downgrading since I think this was my skin changing and not a defect it the product. I probably wouldn't repurchase though even if my skin did go drier again because I like Bobbi Brown Protective Skin Lotion SPF 15 or Olay Complete Combo/Oily SPF 15 better texturewise, they're just not all mineral SPF like this is which I prefer. continued >>

I have to say I really like this product and don't find it greasy at all on my dry skin despite generous application. Although it does need a few minutes to sink in, this works great under make-up (no pilling or balling like I've experienced with some sunscreens) and I've had no break-outs or other problems after more than a month's use. It's nice to see Paula further developing her product line for those with dry skin. I only wish it came with a higher SPF. Nonetheless, I'll definitely be purchasing this one again.

I have used up three samples of this product and the verdict is finally in: I will not be purchasing it in full size. Just as the reviewer below me, I'm a fan of sadly discontinued Clinique Repairwear SPF 15 lotion, and thought this would be a great substitute. My skin is on the dry side now that I'm back on tretinoin. Generally, I never complain about sunscreen products being greasy, I just take it and work with it, but boy this stuff has to be greasier than any SPF 40-50 sunscreen I have ever used in my life. I love the combination of physical sunblock and great antioxidants, but your skin has to be VERY dry in order for this to work well. I may consider again if my skin completely freaks out on tretinoin.

Update october 2009:
Oh my, the reviewer below me got angry at me saying maybe she isn't using enough! LOL! For more info, I do have combination skin and not "normal to very dry", but I do have very dry patches both because I'm prone to eczema and because I use retin-a, so I'm not being unfair to the product when I say this is the greasiest thing I've ever put on my face, the apricot oil probably to blame. NOT for normal skin, not for a little dry skin, only for VERY dry skin. Not the range it says on the package. Hope you vented on me instead of divorcing, lady ;)
I did rescue this thing now that I freaked out because I found a sun spot on one of my hands, I am very conscious about sun damage to my face, but never used one on my hands. Now I realize why: it is extremely difficult to find a hand cream with spf with appropiate UVA protection. I remembered this greasy thing and have been using it on my hands, it's perfect! I do not have dry hands, but for some reason it works well anyway, it dries fast, not sticky, and the metallic finish doesn't bother me.
Would love to have this without the pump.

I purchased this because I'm looking for an alternative to my beloved but outreageously expensive Clinique's Repairwear lotion spf 15. This is certainly cheaper, more than 50% so, and with all the antioxidants, and physical sun protection sounded great, so I gave it a try... Well, it's greasy. It says it would work for normal to very dry, but not really- This should be used ONLY by people with very dry skin and possibly with absolutely nothing else adding up to the oil... To get the spf right, you have to use more that a few dots, it's been said half a teaspoon, so the person before me is probably not using enough, and thus not getting the greasiness... Anyway, this lotion might end up working in the dead of winter, and with a powder foundation on top. I'll update.
By the way, it has a subtle metallic finish, I can see even the indiviual sparklies, but that might be because I'm young and inspected really closely. Didn't bother me enough and boy do I hate sparklies