PRODUCT REVIEW

Paula's choice Calm Rescue and Repair Intensive Moisturiser

Works for:

based on ingredients and %

Moisturizing
Anti-aging

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Allantoin 0.3% - 0.55%Yeast extract 0.25% - 0.45%

See all ingredients 100% recommend: 1 reviews

Buy from SpaceNK US $44.20

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Hero Cosmetics - Rescue Balm Post-Blemish Recovery Cream

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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.

This product contains ingredients that could be beneficial, but their concentrations are too low in this formulation: yeast extract, vitamin e, allantoin and myristyl myristate

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.

What can the product work for?

Anti-aging

What does the product description say?

Allantoin and mushroom extract combine to hydrate and calm irritable skin, while antioxidant properties ward off premature aging by preventing further damage.

Source: SpaceNK

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.

acetyl hexapeptide-8 0.1% - 0.2%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles

tocopherol 0.3% - 0.55%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

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

laminaria digitata extract 0.25% - 0.45%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High

Concentration: Insufficient!

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

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Calm Rescue and Repair Intensive Moisturiser

Source: From product name

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

acetyl hexapeptide-8 0.1% - 0.2%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles

alpha-glucan oligosaccharide 0.3% - 0.55%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

glycerin 4.2% - 5.2%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

Honesty check

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Can it cause trouble?

User reviews (1)

Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

allantoin 0.3% - 0.55%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Anti-inflammatory, Moisturizing, Anti-blemish, Reduces irritation, Reduces redness, Exfoliation

Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated

yeast extract 0.25% - 0.45%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-oxidation, Reduces irritation, Evens skin tone

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

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Potential irritants

myristyl myristate 0.55% - 0.8%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High

Works for: Moisturizing

An emollient. Is not recommended for acne-prone skin as it can be comedogenic

acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer 0.45% - 0.65%

Irritation risk:

Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together

Comodogenic ingredients

cetearyl alcohol 2% - 2.5%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium

Works for: Cleansing, Moisturizing

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

myristyl myristate 0.55% - 0.8%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High

Works for: Moisturizing

An emollient. Is not recommended for acne-prone skin as it can be comedogenic

All ingredients

water 45% - 55%

Irritation risk:

Plain old water

c13-15 alkane 7.5% - 9.1%

Irritation risk:

Helps dissolve other ingredients in the formula

glycerin 4.2% - 5.2%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

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

	Paula's choice - Calm Rescue and Repair Intensive Moisturiser	Hero Cosmetics - Rescue Balm Post-Blemish Recovery Cream	thoughtfullyformed - Peptide Night Cream	Biopelle - Emepelle Night Cream	Balea - Beauty Expert Day Cream 3% Peptid-Solution 1% Ectoin	Neolastin - Rejuvenate & Hydrate Moisturizing Cream	Jordan Samuel - The Performance Cream	Perricone MD - Cold Plasma Plus+ The Essence	Helia-D - Cell Concept Peptide filler	Clinique - For Men Anti-Age Moisturizer	Eveline Cosmetics - Bio Hyaluron Expert
Price
WIMJ similarity score		45%	45%	45%	45%	45%	45%	45%	45%	45%	41%
Key ingredients	acetyl hexapeptide-8 allantoin +8 more	Common: acetyl hexapeptide-8 allantoin +1 more Other: copper tripeptide-1 butyrospermum parkii butter +3 more	Common: acetyl hexapeptide-8 glycerin +1 more Other: butyrospermum parkii butter caprylic/capric triglyceride +3 more	Common: acetyl hexapeptide-8 glycerin +1 more Other: niacinamide caprylic/capric triglyceride +6 more	Common: acetyl hexapeptide-8 glycerin Other: acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester palmitoyl tripeptide-38 +4 more	Common: acetyl hexapeptide-8 glycerin Other: alanine aminobutyric acid +5 more	Common: acetyl hexapeptide-8 glycerin Other: acetyl octapeptide-3 helianthus annuus seed wax +4 more	Common: acetyl hexapeptide-8 glycerin Other: niacinamide acetyl tetrapeptide-11 +8 more	Common: acetyl hexapeptide-8 glycerin Other: copper tripeptide-1 tetrapeptide-30	Common: acetyl hexapeptide-8 glycerin Other: acetyl glucosamine palmitoyl oligopeptide +9 more	Common: acetyl hexapeptide-8 glycerin +4 more Other: bakuchiol lactic acid +27 more
Irritancy	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY MEDIUM
Potential Irritants	potassium sorbate Has skin benefit? citric acid Has skin benefit? +5 more	ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? 1,2-hexanediol Has skin benefit? +5 more	ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? tocopheryl acetate Has skin benefit? +6 more	propylene glycol Has skin benefit? aesculus hippocastanum extract Has skin benefit? +7 more	ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? caprylyl glycol Has skin benefit? +5 more	ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? potassium sorbate Has skin benefit? +6 more	acacia decurrens flower wax Has skin benefit? chamomilla recutita flower extract Has skin benefit? +8 more	3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? ascorbyl palmitate Has skin benefit? +8 more	caprylyl glycol Has skin benefit? ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? +1 more	disodium edta Has skin benefit? peg-8 Has skin benefit? +9 more	parfum Has skin benefit? polymnia sonchifolia root juice Has skin benefit? +20 more
All ingredients	water Has skin benefit? c13-15 alkane Has skin benefit? +34 more	water Has skin benefit? hydrogenated polyisobutene Has skin benefit? +28 more	water Has skin benefit? prunus amygdalus dulcis oil Has skin benefit? +19 more	water Has skin benefit? caprylic/capric triglyceride Has skin benefit? +32 more	water Has skin benefit? coco-caprylate/caprate Has skin benefit? +22 more	water Has skin benefit? propanediol Has skin benefit? +37 more	water Has skin benefit? glyceryl stearate Has skin benefit? +24 more	water Has skin benefit? saccharomyces/rice ferment filtrate Has skin benefit? +27 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +10 more	water Has skin benefit? squalane Has skin benefit? +33 more	water Has skin benefit? isopropyl myristate Has skin benefit? +65 more

PRODUCT REVIEW

Paula's choice Calm Rescue and Repair Intensive Moisturiser

Works for:

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Cheaper alternatives

Product summary

Ingredient callouts

Irritation risk

About the brand

Price

What can the product work for?

Works for

Anti-aging

What does the product description say?

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Honesty check

How honest is this product?

Buy now

US Retailers

UK Retailers

Can it cause trouble?

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

User reviews (1)

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Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

All ingredients

Ingredient list view

Sources