Paula's Choice • Skin Balancing Moisture Gel • Moisturizers

rated 3.8(213 reviews)

Average Rating.3.8
Would buy this product again.65%
Package Quality3.7
Price3.0
Ingredients

rated 3 of 5 kjb1689 on 6/3/2010 8:52:00 PM more reviews by kjb1689

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

This is a nice, light moisturizer. Unfortunately, it isn't moisturizing enough for me for a night moisturizer, and since it doesn't have SPF I won't wear it in the day. I'm sure it would be a great moisturizer for someone with more oily skin.

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rated 5 of 5 TheRedDeluge on 5/1/2010 8:44:00 AM more reviews by TheRedDeluge

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I have to say, after a long time of trying different moisturizers, I am really excited to have found this product. I typically have oily skin, especially in the summer. But lately I have been treating my skin with BHA and AHA treatments for my almost non-existant acne and I have some flakiness around my nose. But this moisturizer has really helped. It is the perfect amount of moisture for my skin. Some moisturizers I have tried recently (Juice Beauty Oil Free Moisturizer, Korres Pomegranate Moisturizer, LUSH Vanishing Cream, LUSH Gorgeous) made my skin very shiny, often oily, and did not sink in well. I love the finish of this gel. Paula's choice are really great products and they are not too badly priced. I also like the recyclable packaging. I don't need any fancy bottles and the tube is very convenient for travel. Try it.

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

rated 5 of 5 valentynka on 4/20/2010 12:58:00 AM more reviews by valentynka

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

PROS
texture - very light gel, great for oily/combo skin
mostly excellent ingredients, NO irritants&fragrance
CONS
rather wet finish for me - have to wait 20 min bef applying anything else
parabens as preservatives

Ive been using this moisturizer for over 2years, my skin can be from dry to combination/oily throughout the year and ALWAYS sensitive-this caused no trouble, in winter I add more emollient cream for around the eyes

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rated 5 of 5 Marian_crane on 4/7/2010 6:13:00 AM more reviews by Marian_crane

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I love this so much! I am acne prone and oily with some flakiness, and this is the best moisturizer I've ever used. Gives me just the right amount of moisture and goes on super smoothly, not even slightly greasy. Highly recommend!

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rated 4 of 5 laurieahigh on 3/29/2010 4:27:00 PM more reviews by laurieahigh

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Red, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I have sensitive, reactive skin. I have used this moisturizer for the past few years. It is good for my skin type which is oily and does not need too much. I am going to be looking for a replacement that is paraben free.

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rated 5 of 5 beth247 on 2/18/2010 2:55:00 AM more reviews by beth247

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Red   Eyes: Hazel    

This is my HG, desert island moisturizer. I have combo acne-prone skin, and it provides just enough moisture for me plus some nice antioxidants. I do understand that it may not be moisturizing enough for many people, but it is absolutely perfect for my skin. I believe the PC Hydralight is more moisturizing than the SBMG but the former has been known to smell funny and lacks niacinamide, so I definitely prefer the SBMG over it. I don't mind the serum-silicone texture, but if you don't, be aware of this. I find the texture to be similar to Olay's Daily Regenerating serum. The one thing PC could do to improve it is to make the packaging completely airtight, but other than that, I have no complaints. I will be repurchasing this one over and over again!

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

rated 4 of 5 BondGirl073 on 1/25/2010 3:56:00 PM more reviews by BondGirl073

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

First off... I don't like the packaging... Just would prefer something different.

But that's a minor gripe. I especially love this moisturizer in the summer (or just when I don't want a heavy feeling moisturizer)...

I would suggest waiting a few minutes (as with any product) before applying foundation over it to prevent 'balling' up of the product... I like it a lot!

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rated 3 of 5 noki200 on 1/1/2010 1:10:00 AM more reviews by noki200

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

Because I have combination skin, I wanted a moderate moisturizer that could go all over the face. This works great for my T-zone, but not so much for my cheeks when they are feeling really dry. In fact, not even five minutes after I put this on my cheeks, I feel the need to reapply, so I usually end up layering another moisturizer on my cheek area. This product doesn't have an odor and feels really smooth, but it falls short for my want of only one moisturizer.

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rated 5 of 5 pinkalley on 12/24/2009 12:04:00 PM more reviews by pinkalley

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

Update 9/30/11:
Still using this and loving it!!!!


Ok I've used just about every moisturizer there is out there for oily/acne prone skin. Cheap brands, expensive brands.. all of them! This is the ONLY one that does NOT break me out and moisturizes all day. I have been using this for over 2 years and will be buying until they stop selling..I love the way i feels on my skin! it's like a moisturizer and primer in one!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

rated 1 of 5 MonFleur on 12/17/2009 12:09:00 AM more reviews by MonFleur

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

I used a sample, so I have no comment on the full-size packaging.

I had a couple large blemishes that had dried areas of skin around them (from using other acne med's.), and I really needed something to moisturize and smooth the area.

I read the description on her website, and this seemed like a great product to try. With my sometimes oily, always acne-prone, sometimes sensitive skin, I wanted something that contained skin soothing ingredients but wasn't so light in moisture I wouldn't notice a difference.

I tried the sample one evening, and I liked the texture and what it did for my skin...for about twenty minutes or so, and went to bed, because I figured it would only get better as time went on. After waking up in the morning, my blemishes were then surrounded by loads of tiny bumps and clogged pores, all around both previous blemish areas that I had been trying to help heal. It made the problem much worse, and almost half of my jaw was like one big breakout. :( I think it must be a combination of the glycerin wheat germ oil, and silicones that my skin doesn't like. (I am still trying to pin point which of these is the problem; it may be two of them, it may be all three, or may just be the amounts used at once. I am not sure.) I am sure, though, that this product alone caused the problem because it was only in the area of those two spots, right where I had used the gel.
I was very disappointed, because I was pleased with the results after applying, and I was really pleased with some of her fantastic ingredient list, and I was not expecting to break out from this! :(


I am almost positive the wheat germ oil is the primary target to blame...it rates a 5 out of 5 on the comedogenic ingredients scale. Yikes! I didn't know that when I got the product initially, but if it's that high a number, most people should stay away from wheat germ oil!

Thank goodness it was only a sample!

6 out of 8 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

rated 5 of 5 barbiebien on 10/11/2009 3:22:00 PM more reviews by barbiebien

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

The best moisturizer for oily skin ever! i tried loads of moisturizers, expensive ones but this beats all. It's great for oily skin that still needs hydration and it's weightless on my skin. HG!

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rated 1 of 5 *TOP REVIEWER* Andio on 9/25/2009 10:09:00 PM more reviews by Andio

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

Yuck! way to slippery on skin. I do not like skin to have a shield sitting on top it. This felt like pure silicones. Did not enjoy this product one bit. I felt like my skin could not breathe. Has lots of good ingredients, but just not for me!

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rated 5 of 5 Ereinsberg on 8/24/2009 6:21:00 PM more reviews by Ereinsberg

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I absolutly love this stuff. My face feels so healthy after I put it on and I never need more moisture during the day or feel like I've got too much. Its awesome...I dont like that I can't get it in stores and that its a little expensive :( Otherwise its amazing

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rated 5 of 5 ladyofpaint on 7/23/2009 12:04:00 PM more reviews by ladyofpaint

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Other, Medium   Hair: Red   Eyes: Brown    

I love this product! I use it mainly around my eyes and on my neck since my skin is quite oily. I like the fact that its gel-like consistency makes it easy for applying since you only need a small amount and don't waste any during application. I'll be using this one forever!

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rated 5 of 5 3dogsnight73 on 7/20/2009 5:18:00 AM more reviews by 3dogsnight73

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

this is the perfect moisturizer for my oily/combo skin in winter. i only use at night. leaves skin very soft but not greasy. it actually feels silky. great healthy ingredients too.

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rated 5 of 5 *TOP REVIEWER* Deandra on 6/12/2009 9:15:00 PM more reviews by Deandra

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

My boyfriend uses this every day and it's the only moisturizer he's tried that he likes. Originally I bought it for myself but I wasn't using it much; my skin's kind of oily anyway. However, he started using it and goes through it like crazy. I buy him a new tube every two or three months. He's addicted.

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rated 5 of 5 kayley123 on 6/12/2009 8:33:00 PM more reviews by kayley123

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Black, Straight   Eyes: Brown    

I love this moisturizer, it is just perfect for my normal-to-oily skin. It feels silky and light, NEVER greasy or heavy, but still makes my skin feel hydrated and comfortable. I can even use a little on my t-zone without it getting greasy. Works great as a primer as well, my makeup goes on smooth and stays on. It's a GREAT moisturizer, and such a reasonable price! The packaging is opaque, which, while it makes it harder to tell how much is left, is important for keeping the antioxidants in it stable--a small price to pay I think, for such an awesome product.

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rated 3 of 5 cinnamonraisin on 6/2/2009 3:57:00 AM more reviews by cinnamonraisin

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

I thought this might be a cheaper alternative to Clinique Moisture Surge Gel. Unfortunately it is not. It is a clear, kinda thick silicone-y gel. It doesn't seem to spread well between my fingers (I do this to help distribute it over my face better) and feels thick when I smooth it over my skin. It does feel nice around my eyes though.


I won't be purchasing the full size of this, but I will be repurchasing the Clinique Moisture Surge Gel again!

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rated 5 of 5 *TOP REVIEWER* agl112 on 5/31/2009 1:12:00 PM more reviews by agl112

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I've been using this moisturizer for years now and still love it for daytime use around the eyes and over my BHA before I use my SPF tinted moisturizer. I have combination skin and this works great!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

rated 3 of 5 baharh on 5/30/2009 10:48:00 PM more reviews by baharh

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

In the past, I actually used this at night, because I don't like to wake up with an oil slick on my tzone. Anyway, it was just an alright product, i give it 3 lippies because it didn't make my sensitive skin react and the price is reasonable, but the smell is horrible.

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