Paula's Choice • moisture boost daily restoring complex • Moisturizers

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*TOP REVIEWER* suzyqz1970 on 5/3/2013 1:26:00 PM more reviews by suzyqz1970

Age: 36-43   Skin: Oily, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I am writing this for the moisturizer without sunscreen. I actually paid more for this moisturizer than I normally would just to see if a more expensive product would leave my skin in better condition than my less expensive Cerave PM. For one thing, this does contain some very beneficial antioxidants that are listed about midway down the ingredient list. That let's me know it has a decent amount of Vitamins C & E. I have somewhat oily but changeable perimenopausal skin in decent condition . Most people guess I'm in my early to mid 30's but I'm 42. Anyway, I love this silky texture and it absorbs well. It's hard to say but I do believe it is out-performing my Cerave. My skin seems softer and brighter and especially not irritated when I use thus over my Retin A. Zero to no scent as well. My verdict is that I will purchase again when it's on sale or they're having free shipping. Very nice moisturizer.

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steelcitygal on 4/16/2013 5:46:00 PM more reviews by steelcitygal

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Olive, Neutral   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I have been using this product for nearly 2 months on my acne prone combo skin. So far it has not caused any irritation or any breakouts. My skin is both very oily and very dry, depending on the weather, and I find this moisturizer/sunscreen perfect for the winter months. It does a great job of hydrating the dry patches without exasperating the oily parts too much. This does take a bit to sink into my skin, but once it does, it dries to a nice dewy finish. I will be repurchasing this as my winter sunscreen.

The only thing stopping me from rating this one a solid 5, is the price! It's not a great value when compared to drugstore brands (neutrogena was my old, go to brand) which offer more product for the price. However, Paula's sunscreens don't irritate my face in the same way those sometimes can. Also, I find this formula less "greasy" feeling than some of the drugstore brands. Ultimately, I decided it's worth the cost, but some people may find their drugstore brand more cost effective in the long run.

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KP1234 on 2/7/2013 3:00:00 PM more reviews by KP1234

Age: 25-29   Skin: Very Oily, Tan, Warm   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

Me: Combo skin with very oily T zone. NC42 skin tone.

This is a great moisturizer that has lots of beneficial ingredients and high SPF.
Pros:
+ Creamy texture goes on skin smoothly
+ Leaves no white cast (chemical sunscreen)
+ Satin sheen finish but not greasy
+ Lightweight yet still very moisturizing

Cons:
- Satin sheen finish will emphasize oiliness

Overall, I would repurchase this because I like it a lot. Even though it's specifically made for dry skin, I took a gamble and tried it out and it happens to work really well with my oily-combo skin. After a few a hours my skin gets really oily but this moisturizer doesn't make me as greasy as other dry-skin moisturizer.

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caradiangela on 1/16/2013 5:17:00 AM more reviews by caradiangela

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

Great moisturizer! It comes out of the tube so thick and sticky, yet dries down beautyfully to a semi-matte, truely silky and totally non-greasy or shiny finish!
Would have never expected that to happen, with my combination skin.
It takes some minutes to sink in, but then you're totally fine and good to go.
Also without any make-up over it, the finish is great. Seems to act like a primer; softens redness and imperfections. Spf 30 is also very good.
Only gripe is, when in winter I have some flakey skin, this seems to emphasize it a little (makes the flakes white).
Other than that, I think this is my favourite PC moisturizer.

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funnyblossom on 1/5/2013 4:47:00 AM more reviews by funnyblossom

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I have been using this for 6 months - love it! The texture is amazing, it absorbs quickly and works very well under makeup. I only smell the sunscreen when I am spreading it - then the smell is gone. I am ordering more this week. I had always wanted an airy, creamy texture sunscreen and this one is a dream come true!

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aessop on 4/18/2012 7:07:00 AM more reviews by aessop

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Tan, Warm   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This moisturising sunscreen is horrible. I started using it in this week. It seemed to moisturise at first but after two days of use I have developed tiny red pimples all over my face and neck area. My face feels tight and and burny and looks blotchy to boot. Since it worked so well for most of the reviewers I can only assume that one or more of the ingredients does not agree with me.
Update 23/04/2012 (one week later)- The rash has almost disappeared on the left side of my face but the right side of my cheek looks like I've been burned or something. Its also sore to touch. What do they put in this stuff??? Will definitely not buy again.

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*TOP REVIEWER* dragonflygirl7 on 2/1/2012 7:06:00 PM more reviews by dragonflygirl7

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

HG winter sunscreen. Applies like a dream...slightly whipped feeling, moisturizes nicely without looking or feeling greasy, and works great under any makeup. The packaging is nice...a flip top tube which stands on end. In the summer I use her Extra Care non-greasy spf 45, which is much thinner and less emollient. For me, these beat every other sunscreen I've tried, both high and low end, in the chemical sunscreen category.

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toni3 on 12/19/2011 11:47:00 PM more reviews by toni3

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry, Dark, Warm   Hair: Black, Relaxed, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

This sunscreen is amazing. I absolutely love it. It's texture is whipped/souffle-ish. When you put it on you do get the whitish cast for a sec, make sure you rub in well and I swear my face is smoother..it's like I used primer. It also provides moisture which is great since my skin is combo/dry. your skiin feels hydrated as opposed to greasy/matte like others. I dont think Im gonna try any other sunscreen again.

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*TOP REVIEWER* bestscreennameever on 12/17/2011 10:31:00 AM more reviews by bestscreennameever

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Hazel    

This is a moisturizer/sunscreen with SPF 20. It has a thick, white mousse or souffle type texture and look. **Update March 6, 2012--this now has SPF 30! I have not noticed any changes in the formula, effects, or application mentioned below. Hooray!**

I have combination, acne-prone, sensitive skin. About two years ago preventing acne was my biggest concern, and then suddenly I started experiencing bouts of eczema/dermatitis. Paula's Choice products, in addition to switching to mineral makeup (Alima), has really helped calm my skin.

One of the first sunscreens I tried from Paula did not work well for me. I believe it was the Skin Recovery mattifying one. It did not moisturize at all, and it made my skin greasy and oily (so much for mattifying). So due to all my skin issues, I actually went without sunscreen for a while, and I know how bad that is.

I ordered this a few weeks ago when it was on sale, and I love it so far. I apply in the morning after washing with Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Cleanser. It looks thick but spreads easily and applies smoothly. After a few minutes, I then apply my mineral makeup. I have also mixed it with my minerals to make my own "cream" foundation.

It does have a VERY faint sunscreen smell (one of the reasons for 4 lippies instead of 5), but it has not irritated my skin at all--no acne, no dermatitis. It moisturizes well in the morning, though I suspect it might be too heavy for those with very oily skin or even perhaps for myself when summer rolls around.

My skin actually looks slightly glowy after applying, but in a nice healthy way, not a greasy way. It seems to help even out my skintone. It is quite pricey, but you can order samples on the Paula's Choice website to try before you buy the full size. This is definitely the best sunscreen I have tried so far from Paula's Choice.

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*TOP REVIEWER* lindsayloohoo on 8/12/2011 3:16:00 PM more reviews by lindsayloohoo

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

This is an SPF20 moisturizer/sunscreen. It's a thick, souffle texture that is particularly luxurious as a winter daytime moisturizer. I would repurchase.


Background: I have normal/combo (slightly dry/slightly oily depending on season) acne-prone skin that has dramatically improved since I've been more diligent about potentially irritating ingredients (ie alcohol). I don't have sensitive skin in the conventional sense - my skin is very tolerant of products. However, I would breakout consistently using anything even just remotely not suggested for acne-prone skin. Before buying a product I refer to beautypedia.com, the cosmetic ingredient dictionary (on same site), and MUA! My acne used to be the painful bumps under the skin that would take weeks to surface. Since using Paula's Choice products I only get the occassional spot. My current skincare regimen is used in tandem with regular workouts. For me, this alleviated all hormonal breakouts (because working out balances your hormones, and sweating changes the PH of your skin - don't know if the PH part matters for acne though).


Usage: I apply this after toner and 2% BHA liquid (gel if my skin is dry) during the day in the winter time mostly. This is thick, with a souffle texture (similar to the Resist Cellular Defense SPF 25), and works best if my skin is dry or flakey. It spreads beautifully and doesn't leave me shiny or feeling like I have a film over my face. It absorbs quite well considering the texture (much better than Resist - but that's a physical sunscreen and this is a chemical sunscreen). It does have a mild sunscreen smell.


Results: I wear at least a moisturizer with SPF every day. A lot of products with SPF aren't that pleasant and make me want to avoid them. However, this moisturizer with sunscreen is cosmetically elegant and is a nice moisturizer imo (and I can say that for pretty much all PC moisturizer/sunscreen combos). This doesn't cause break outs yet is quite hydrating. I started using this in the winter day-to-day and actually became even more pale, so I trust the sunscreen for this purpose. For prolonged sun exposure I'd use a more substantial sunscreen, personally.


This does help alleviate redness/inflammation, and has great hydrating properties that leave my skin nicely moisturized. I would repurchase just to have this extra moisturizing formula on hand during the months when my skin is particularly parched. Generally I prefer the Skin Recovery moisturizer SPF 15 (reformulated) for daily use, but will keep this for those parched/flakey days. I generally prefer a physical moisturizer sunscreen for daily use, and try to avoid oxybenzone which this does contain.


This product is $20.95 for 2oz. That's pricey considering you're supposed to apply sunscreen liberally. However, for winter time/occasional use (car and back/dog walking, etc.) I can deal with that. For prolonged sun exposure I use a substantial sunscreen which I do apply liberally.


I buy all my PC products on sale, since the website rotates new ones at least every month. I also buy in multiples and avoid shipping charges. Look online for discount codes, because you can double up your discounts by doing that too.

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CharlaR on 4/29/2011 6:12:00 PM more reviews by CharlaR

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond, Curly, Coarse   Eyes: Blue    

Yes, this is a wonderful moisturizer with antioxidants. However it makes an
excellent primer for makeup. It goes on thick, but no greasy finish, SPF is good,
and makeup goes on like a dream. Helps it stay on also. Only a small amount is needed.

Good job, Paula. I will never be without this one!

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gdriban on 4/14/2011 4:09:00 PM more reviews by gdriban

Age: 44-55   Skin: Normal   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

Fabulous sunscreen with antioxidants! It comes out of the tube looking very thick like paste but it spreads smoothly and dries to a matte finish--no stickiness whatsoever. I am usually sensitive to chemical sunscreens but this does not bother me at all. Dare I say my quest for HG moisturizer with SPF is over? I hope so!

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mary_ln on 4/1/2011 3:13:00 PM more reviews by mary_ln

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I love the texture of this sunscreen - very creamy, and yet it sets to a nice matte finish. I will definitely repurchase.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Kirstie on 3/2/2011 4:12:00 PM more reviews by Kirstie

Age: 36-43   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

OK, on a positive note, Paula's Choice Customer Service issued me a full refund for this product without any hassle once I explained the problem. That is a plus, in my book, as I wasn't asked to mail back the unused portion or made to feel guilty.

That being said, this product "jacked up" my skin like none ever before. I do not have particularly sensitive skin, but after about 4 days of using this product in the mornings after cleansing, I noticed that it started to REALLY sting when I applied it. Then, my skin turned to sandpaper over the course of the next few days. I have really fine-pored porcelain skin, and the best way to describe what happened was that I developed these really rough dry patches in some areas, as well as the fact that most of my face was COVERED with flesh toned bumps under the surface of my skin. It felt so rough and disgusting. I was really worried that my skin would never return to normal again. I discontinued use after about a week after identifying that this product was the culprit, and called Customer Service. They confirmed that this is a known allergic reaction to the chemical sunscreen ingredients for some users. After another 4-5 days after discontinuing, my skin returned to normal, thank goodness. I have returned to using my Cetaphil Daily Moisturizer with SPF, to which I have no allergic reaction, and it is rated as a low toxicity product by Environmental Working Group, too boot!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Duster on 11/25/2010 10:16:00 AM more reviews by Duster

Age: 44-55   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

If you have dry skin this stuff is great! SPF 20 chemical sunscreen. Goes on very plush and soft, dries to semi matte finish, great under makeup. The chemical spf does not cause me irritation, which is unusual. No fragrance, simple tube packaging that is airline friendly. ON my second tube, love it so far.

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No