Works for
MoisturizingCeramide np, Phytosphingosine + 15 moreWorks well
“Nourishes all skin types, even those prone to rosacea.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, hyaluronic acid.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: caprylic/capric triglyceride, cholesterol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: ceramide ap, ceramide eop, ceramide np, phytosphingosine
Anti-agingBeta-glucan, Ubiquinone + 2 moreMay help
“Provides immediate relief for sensitive skin while targeting signs of aging with gentle levels of effective anti-aging ingredients.”
This product contains ubiquinone. This ingredient help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they might be able to prevent early signs of aging (like fine lines and wrinkles), at least to some extent. These ingredients will not be able to "reverse" signs of aging.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract, Ubiquinone + 4 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (ubiquinone) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
The following ingredients - epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Chrysanthemum parthenium extractMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~3.8–5.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinSodium lauroyl lactylate~3.5–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Sodium lauroyl lactylateSodium hyaluronate~2.6–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronatePolysorbate 20~1.9–2.9%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglyceridePeg/ppg-14/4 dimethicone~1.4–2%
Xanthan gum~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumDisodium edta~0.5–1%
Sodium cocoyl amino acids~0.85–1.25%
Propylene glycol~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolCeramide np~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide npEthylhexylglycerin~0.35–0.8%
Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might contain antioxidants
More about Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extractCeramide ap~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide apCholesterol~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally found in skin
More about CholesterolPhytosphingosine~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid that is naturally present in skin. It might help in repairing skin barrier function and has anti-bacterial effect
More about PhytosphingosineBeta-glucan~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin, calm down inflammation and irritation, restore the barrier function and support wound healing. It can be helpful in reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Beta-glucanSarcosine~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to enhance the penetration of other ingredients and attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about SarcosineCarbomer~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerChrysanthemum parthenium extract~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Could have anti-inflammatory effect on skin, but can be irritating as well. Can be added to products for its smell
More about Chrysanthemum parthenium extract1,2-hexanediol~0.15–0.55%
Caprylyl glycol~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolLeuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A preservative that comes from radishes fermented by a bacteria. New research suggests that the preservation properties in the ingredient come from an ammonium salt that is not present naturally in radish root but used in its cultivation. Is problematic because the exact amount of the preservative agents is difficult to determine
More about Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrateSea whip extract~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help neutrlize free radicals, calm down inflammation, and attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Sea whip extractCalcium chloride~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a thicker product consistency. Might be irritating
More about Calcium chlorideGlycine soja extract~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hyaluronic acid~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation
More about Hyaluronic acidGlycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals
More about Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractTocopherol~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolMagnesium aspartate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be helpful in restoring skin barrier function and calm down inflammation in skin
More about Magnesium aspartatePotassium aspartate~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium metabisulfite~0.1–0.2%
Ubiquinone~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Coenzyme Q10. It helps neutralize free radicals in skin, improves skin hydration and might be helpful agains fine lines and wrinkles. It can be an allergen
More about UbiquinonePentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to increase stability of product formulations
More about Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamateCeramide eop~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide eopPhenoxyethanol~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSodium benzoate~0.05–0.15%
Potassium sorbate~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Sodium lauroyl lactylate, Sodium hyaluronate, Polysorbate 20, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Peg/ppg-14/4 dimethicone, Xanthan gum, Disodium edta, Sodium cocoyl amino acids, Propylene glycol, Ceramide np, Ethylhexylglycerin, Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract, Ceramide ap, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Beta-glucan, Sarcosine, Carbomer, Chrysanthemum parthenium extract, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Sea whip extract, Calcium chloride, Glycine soja extract, Hyaluronic acid, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Tocopherol, Magnesium aspartate, Potassium aspartate, Sodium metabisulfite, Ubiquinone, Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Ceramide eop, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium benzoate, Potassium sorbate
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Paula's choiceCALM REPAIRING SERUMYOUR PRODUCT | Apothaka SkincareBarrier Support Serum | Makeup Artists' ChoiceTransforming Anti Aging Serum V2 | Simply PureSuperdrug Simply Pure Hydrating Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 64% | 63% | 62% |
| Price | $47.00 | — | — | $4.66−$42.34 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 15 | 9 of 15 | 8 of 15 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Bakuchiol | Lactic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: DRMTLGY Needle-less SerumIrritated. FACE + BODY SERUM
Product summary
"Paula's choice - CALM REPAIRING SERUM" is effective for: Moisturizing
This product could be helpful for: Anti-aging, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Ceramides (ceramide eop 0.25% - 0.40%, phytosphingosine 0.30% - 0.55%, ceramide ap 0.30% - 0.50% and ceramide np 0.45% - 0.65%). Ceramides are a type of lipids that our skin produces itself. They are a building block of the skin's barrier. Ceramides used in skincare are synthetic or extracted from plants. They work well for softening the skin surface and "patch holes" in the skin's barrier.
- Humectants (hyaluronic acid 0.25% - 0.45%, sarcosine 0.25% - 0.45%, sodium hyaluronate 2.20% - 2.70% and glycerin 4.80% - 5.80%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails from 12.00$ up to 47.00$ in the United States, from 34.00£ up to 265.00£ in the United Kingdom and for 25.50SEK in Sweden.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 27 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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