Paula's Choice • RESIST Barrier Repair Moisturizer • Moisturizers

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*TOP REVIEWER* scopingforyou on 5/13/2013 12:10:00 AM more reviews by scopingforyou

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

PROS: No sticky film or greasy feeling after applying. Feels heavenly and light going on, but it moisturizes my dry skin very well. My sensitive skin soaks it up and feels calm and nourished with it on. Can easily wear this under makeup. NO fragrance. . Retinol will lessen wrinkles help firm skin by helping to build collagen, and I am excited for that. The retinol in this is quite gentle. I have very sensitive, mild rosacea, skin. But it is not bothered by this. The cost is reasonable for the quality of ingredients. Customer service with Paula's Choice is excellent. A pump is great to keep bacteria out, and the darkness
protects the antixoidants, etc., inside. Cruelty-free product.


CONS: There may not be enough of a film of moisture left for those who want that feeling. But it does describe it on their site as "light". (This truly does moisturize for me, even without a film, though. In the winter, when I'm very dry, I will try something else.)


APPLICATION TIPS: Try first at night for at least a few days. Then you can try twice a day if you are wearing spf. I'd wear it whether I put it on only at night or twice a day.


ALTERNATES: Their Resist retinol serum has a stronger concentration of retinol, but you'll have to add a moisturizer if you need that moisture that this was providing.

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*TOP REVIEWER* timothybcat on 2/26/2013 10:24:00 PM more reviews by timothybcat

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

I've been using Paula's products for about 8 or 9 months and my skin is looking great overall: more even skin tone, smaller pores, plumper. But I accept that the benefits of good skin care show themselves over time, and there aren't miracles. I've never had a wrinkle or dark circles just disappear and stay away forever. I just don't think it's a fair or realistic to expect a product (not that brands don't set you up to expect miracles, but that's a whole other story) to wipe away years of sun exposure, smoking, poking, prodding, and other stupid things I've done to my skin in my 37 years. I always review skin care with that thought in mind.


For about 6 months I've been using PC's Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum with Retinol at night with success and no irritation. Winter hit, the air got dry, and my formerly oily skin needed something slightly more emollient for nighttime. This worked great for providing more hydration with other great ingredients, and some nights I still used it with the serum, but not often as I was afraid of irritation. This moisturizer is very creamy in texture so I thought it was going to be greasy and just sit there with an oily film on my skin, but I just could not believe how it absorbed completely as soon as I applied it, and yet it still made my skin softer and more hydrated. I could not be happier.


Another reviewer mentioned that retinol is the 13th ingredient in this product. I moseyed over to the PC website just to double check and realized that he or she is 100% right. That's a very valid point and I'm grateful that the other reviewer pointed that out. Now I know why Paula's info packet suggests using a serum WITH this. I would now say that this is a fabulous moisturizer that happens to have excellent ingredients such as retinol, peptides, etc. But like me, you may still choose another product to act as your primary retinol product. Now I'm no so worried about using both products simultaneously. That's why we're responsible for reading ingredient lists, even if they are PC products! Much thanks to the other reviewer!

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runningwithmyheart on 2/26/2013 11:52:00 AM more reviews by runningwithmyheart

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

At first, I thought this product wouldn't be nearly moisturizing enough for my over 50, dry skin, especially since I live in a very dry climate. However, my skin is moisturized and fresh looking in the morning, without feeling like there's a lot of extra product sitting on top of my skin. After two weeks of daily use, my skin looks fabulous. I've been using five of the RESIST products for the past two weeks and I love the results. My skin is just plain good skin now, not greasy or sticky with product, not irritated from too much exfoliation, no breakouts, no redness, etc. Cannot say enough good things about this line, and I'm replacing my other products with RESIST products as they run out (using Youth Surge daily moisturizer SPF25 from Clinique, but will replace with the RESIST SPF moisturizer when I'm done). The products are a bit pricey, but they're full of high concentrations of proven, powerhouse ingredients, no bells and whistles, no fragrance, no extra fillers, etc. Every dime goes towards an ingredient that does what it's supposed to do. Love this line!

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melodysg on 11/1/2012 6:16:00 PM more reviews by melodysg

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

Im currently on a 3rd bottle of this product. Started to see positive results of reducing expression lines from my 2nd bottle. My skin can tolerate the rentinol in Barrier Repair and skinMedica 0.65 tri-rentinol , but badly irritated by so-called gentle Neutrogena's healthy skin night cream, weird. Love this product and will continue to repurchase. Hope Pc team can improve the packaging since the pump isn't great.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Andio on 10/4/2012 9:47:00 PM more reviews by Andio

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

This is an updated post. I had a bottle of this and used it but got dry and irritated with continued use. I stopped and started this a few times. My pump became cracked and the product would not come out. I ordered a new one and the pump would not push down. When I called the PC Rep was amazing. We talked for a few and she sent me out two bottles. One to replace the one that I just ordered and one to replace the cracked older one. I mean is that amazing,or what. I have been using this for a couple of weeks. I no longer use it alone. I use two pumps of my L'Occitane Karite & Cotton Bio Shea & Organic Cotton Ultra comfort cream over this but I wait 10-15 mins for the Resist to sink in before I apply the cotton cream. This little nightly routine has seemed to do wonders for my skin. I am also using the Resist hand cream spf30 on my face daily. I do my Skinceuticals C&E then wait 5 mins and apply the resist hand cream. Works like a gem. I am happy with PCPs :0

**I did not realize they changed the ingredients, maybe that is why I am not getting dry and irritated? Not sure but still like this.

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skncr46 on 10/1/2012 3:51:00 AM more reviews by skncr46

Age: 44-55   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

Beware that many of these reviews could be considered somewhat invalid because the product's ingredient list has changed. I had a bottle from appx. 2/11 that had retinol 9th on the list. Now, it is 13th. Some of the ingredients that used to be below the retinol are now above it. The company insists (in an email) that the percentage of retinol has not changed. Something has changed though because it used to leave a natural finish. Now, a somewhat shiny finish. And my pores don't seem to be as cleared out as they once were. Retinol can be drying to the skin, so maybe it is better for many, that it is more emollient now. You'll just have to give it a try. I will probably repurchase. I can't decide if I lke this or Neutrogena's , retinol containing, antiwrinkle cream better.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

preciousthings on 7/20/2012 1:08:00 AM more reviews by preciousthings

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I was really hoping this product would be the perfect anti-aging cream for me.
But no, I've only used it 3 times (every second day), and my skin feels raw and burnt.I have also developed a few bumps.I think ill be returning this one.

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blauriche on 5/28/2012 2:11:00 AM more reviews by blauriche

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

I've read that a lot of people hate the bottle this comes in and they're planning on changing it. I wouldn't know about that because I just seem to order more free samples of this any time I order anything else from their website. I had been using Dermalogica's Barrier Repair but I think this works better. Using this along with a toner and a serum, my skin feels smoother and more hydrated than it probably ever has. I'm a huge fan, though I'm thinking of holding off on buying a bottle until they change they packaging or it goes on sale or something.

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slyrivkah on 5/20/2012 1:59:00 AM more reviews by slyrivkah

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

This moisturizer allows me to use a stronger cleanser and exfoliant than I would otherwise without flaking. It does not have silicones, which cause me to break out. (Dimethicone is a frequent culprit -- I even have to avoid it in hair products.)

I'm 27 so I can't comment too much on any anti-aging benefits, but my skin looks great. Previously I was using Retin-A to combat my occasional breakouts but my skin could not adapt to it. Perhaps as I get older, I'll consider a stronger retinol but I'm thrilled with this for now.

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

ajh96 on 5/7/2012 8:28:00 AM more reviews by ajh96

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

Surprisingly light and hydrating on my oily, rosacea-addled skin. Definitely a HG moisturiser.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

momominky on 4/24/2012 6:46:00 PM more reviews by momominky

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

Too light, not enough moisture. Was disappointed as I thought this might be the one for me.

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*TOP REVIEWER* mariannepilgaard on 4/24/2012 1:11:00 PM more reviews by mariannepilgaard

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I bought this as part of a complete set of the RESIST line (cleanser, toner, serum, daily exfoliator, weekly exfoliator, moisturizer w sunscreen and moisturizer w/o sunscreen). I have used the products from this set approximately half a year and noticed great improvements in my skin tone, texture and radiance. This moisturizer is really lightweight. Those who are looking for something that feels very emollient on the skin might be disappointed. I really like the texture and the result. The packaging could be VASTLY improved. The pump broke when I started using the product. This was quickly replaced by customer service though. Another thing is that the packaging in comparison to the weight of the product is so much heavier it is difficult to know when you are about to run out especially since the packaging is not see through in order to protect the ingredients in the product.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Emma13 on 3/25/2012 7:00:00 AM more reviews by Emma13

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

I have combination skin with tendency to surface dryness and flaking; slightly sensitive. I used a sample of this product. Given the name, I expected a rich moisturiser, but the product is more like a cream-gel consistency. I wanted to like this, as it has a lot of good ingredients, but it simply was not hydrating enough for my skin and my face felt tight and uncomfortable. Possibly this could work for me in a warmer, or more humid climate but as it is, I would need to layer it with a very hydrating serum. Might try this again in the summer, but for now it's a fail unfortunately.

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kristlkrost on 3/23/2012 11:24:00 AM more reviews by kristlkrost

Age: 44-55   Skin: Oily, Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

After less than a week I can honestly say my skin feels and looks great...I will buy nothing else from now on..I will incorporate my own natural skin care with hers and three cheers for young and smooth looking skin!!!!!

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*TOP REVIEWER* ammasprajna on 3/20/2012 5:19:00 PM more reviews by ammasprajna

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

To be fair, I only tried a sample of this (I got about 4 uses out of it). This is one of the few PC products that I didn't like. I don't know why, but for me this just sat on top of my skin and made it feel sticky and look shiny. For me it was slightly irritating, but I use her Intensive Retinol Serum every night without any problems so I don't think it was the retinol that bothered me. It didn't feel very hydrating. Some people swear by this product so it just goes to show that even amid the world of very well formulated, high quality skincare there can be so much diversity in the way skin reacts. Anyhoo, from what I can tell, this is a lightweight moisturizer that seems to have some great ingredients and would probably work well layered beneath sunscreen for someone with oilyish skin. My skin is combination/dry with occasional breakouts and light sun damage, so I'm going to try the Anti-Aging Clear Skin Hydrator and see how that goes.

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Anna001 on 2/15/2012 11:45:00 PM more reviews by Anna001

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

I like to use this moisturizer during winter.

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LouZettie on 2/12/2012 12:15:00 PM more reviews by LouZettie

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Other    

So, it's been over a month since I've been using this product, along with the complete Resist line. I really, really wanted to like it because of the all natural ingredients, but it's doing zilch too improve the appearance of my skin and to soften my wrinkles. In fact, I think my skin looks worse since I've been using these products. I am really disappointed. Along with the Resist line, I paid for and received samples of two different Paula's makeups and both were dry and hard to apply. I simply hated them.

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AsianDiva123 on 2/11/2012 12:01:00 PM more reviews by AsianDiva123

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

I wish this was labeled as for oily skin or at least normal to oil then I wouldn't have bought it. It says for all skin type. I thought I could use it on warmer months or when I go to warm places. But this is way too dry for me. I brought it to Hawaii with me. Even with the humidity there, my skin was super dry. I guess this would be a good moisturizer for people with oilier skin but not for me.

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aessop on 2/9/2012 6:36:00 AM more reviews by aessop

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

I'm giving a review based on a free 1.77ml sample that I received. I don't know what to make of this moisturiser. I love my night creams to be rich and emollient without being overpowering, and this one just doesn't give that feeling. I have to agree that this looks more like a gel serum and it certainly feels like it when you apply it. I'm sensitive combination, increasingly leaning toward dryness as I'm getting older and after application my face looked okey but it felt slightly tight- like I had nothing on. It was quite strange actually. I can't vouch for how effective it is as I think it's difficult to judge when you've only used less than 2ml of a product. I'm giving this product 4 lippies because I experienced no irritation, it appears to be packed with excellent ingredients, and its fragrance-free. I think if there was no alternative, I would consider this product just to test the long term effects of using it. I just wish it was more hydrating though, as my face gets dry in winter. This product is fine as a light application for summer, or for people with oily skin. Their sample sizes should also really be bigger like 5-10ml or so.

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*TOP REVIEWER* kimm on 1/29/2012 9:08:00 PM more reviews by kimm

Age: Unknown   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This moisturizer should almost be labeled more of a treatment than moisturizer by Paula's Choice. I have normal-dry, rosacea-afflicted skin, and find it not rich enough as a moisturizer, as others have noted below. I'm also confused by the "barrier repair" claim, as it contains retinol. If your barrier is truly impaired, retinol would probably just irritate it further, not allowing your skin to repair itself. This is what has happened to me with this product.

So, why the 5? It's fragrance-free, reasonably priced, and does indeed soothe the fine lines I'm beginning to see. It also provides slight moisture at night, and gives my skin an overall more glowing, less red, healthier appearance. I've also experienced no irritation from this provided my skin isn't compromised. I layer this over the RESIST toner and after using the RESIST cleanser

If you are looking for straight moisture and/or barrier repair (ie very dry skin, skin red & raw from a cold, sunburn, etc) I would NOT recommend this.

I've had problems with the pump breaking at the end, not sure if others have. I've had problems with Paula's packaging in general, but this would not stop me from purchasing again.

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