Paula's choice Calm Rescue and Repair Intensive Moisturiser
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingAcetyl hexapeptide-8, Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide + 16 moreStrong evidence
“Calm Rescue and Repair Intensive Moisturiser”
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, glycogen.
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: helianthus annuus seed oil, cetearyl alcohol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl hexapeptide-8
Anti-agingAcetyl hexapeptide-8, Tocopherol + 1 moreModerate evidence
“Allantoin and mushroom extract combine to hydrate and calm irritable skin, while antioxidant properties ward off premature aging by preventing further damage.”
This product contains acetyl hexapeptide-8. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
User reviews
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
C13-15 alkane~7.5–9.1%
Glycerin~4.2–5.2%
- 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 GlycerinPropanediol~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolHelianthus annuus seed oil~2.5–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilCetearyl alcohol~2–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholArachidyl alcohol~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Arachidyl alcoholStearic acid~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidInulin~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is claimed to support the growth of "good" bacteria in skin (as a "prebiotic"), but the research is lacking
More about InulinBehenyl alcohol~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholCetyl alcohol~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholButylene glycol~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolHydrogenated lecithin~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.
More about Hydrogenated lecithinMyristyl myristate~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient. Is not recommended for acne-prone skin as it can be comedogenic
More about Myristyl myristateArachidyl glucoside~0.45–0.65%
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerCaprylyl glycol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolAllantoin~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinTocopherol~0.3–0.55%
- 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 TocopherolEthylhexylglycerin~0.3–0.55%
Hexylene glycol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolXanthan gum~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumAlpha-glucan oligosaccharide~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Alpha-glucan oligosaccharideSodium phytate~0.25–0.45%
Glycogen~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about GlycogenYeast extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant and skin lightening properties. It can help calm down inflammation in skin
More about Yeast extractLaminaria digitata extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Seaweed extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but good research is lacking at the moment
More about Laminaria digitata extractAlbatrellus confluens extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Opuntia ficus-indica stem extract~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Lac~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps form a film on the surface of the skin and disperse other ingredients (like colorants) in cosmetics. Lac is a resinous substance secreted by parasite insects living on trees
More about LacSchizophyllan~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citric acid~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidMaltodextrin~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinAcetyl hexapeptide-8~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Acetyl hexapeptide-8Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPotassium sorbate~0.1–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Water, C13-15 alkane, Glycerin, Propanediol, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Cetearyl alcohol, Arachidyl alcohol, Stearic acid, Inulin, Behenyl alcohol, Cetyl alcohol, Butylene glycol, Hydrogenated lecithin, Myristyl myristate, Arachidyl glucoside, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Caprylyl glycol, Allantoin, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene glycol, Xanthan gum, Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, Sodium phytate, Glycogen, Yeast extract, Laminaria digitata extract, Albatrellus confluens extract, Opuntia ficus-indica stem extract, Lac, Schizophyllan, Citric acid, Maltodextrin, Acetyl hexapeptide-8, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium sorbate
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Affiliate links · prices updated regularly
Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, "Paula's choice - Calm Rescue and Repair Intensive Moisturiser" can work well for skin moisturization. The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Humectants in this product (acetyl hexapeptide-8, glycerin, glycogen, butylene glycol and caprylyl glycol) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Emollients in this formulation (helianthus annuus seed oil, cetearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, arachidyl alcohol and caprylyl glycol) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
Ingredient callouts
- We like that this moisturizer contains peptides (acetyl hexapeptide-8 0.10% - 0.20%). There are many different kind of Peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of aminoacids. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective Peptides are in skincare, but it is very likely that they have a benefit. Peptides might help restore the skin barrier and fight the signs of aging. At the very least, Peptides work as humectants: they attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve its hydration.
Irritation risk
This product does not contain known common irritants and is suitable for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be low. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Paula's choice" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails from 34.00£ up to 265.00£ in the United Kingdom and for 44.20$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 5
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.