Paula's choice Calm Rescue and Repair Weightless Moisturiser
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingAcetyl hexapeptide-8, Triheptanoin + 13 moreStrong evidence
“Calm Rescue and Repair Weightless 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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, squalane.
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, Laminaria digitata extractModerate evidence
“Allantoin and mushroom extract work to hydrate the skin and visibly calm redness.Working to leave the skin looking healthy and youthful, Paula’s Choice Calm Rescue and Repair Weightless Moisturizer is a cruelty-free and fragrance-free skincare product.”
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
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Glycerin~5.2–6.4%
- 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 GlycerinCaprylic/capric triglyceride~4.7–5.8%
- 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 triglycerideStearic acid~3.6–4.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidTriheptanoin~2.4–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A synthetic triglyceride. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about TriheptanoinC13-16 isoalkane~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Butylene glycol~1.7–2%
- 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 glycolPropanediol~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolInulin~1.2–1.5%
- 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 InulinGlyceryl stearate~0.95–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.7–1.05%
- 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 crosspolymerSqualane~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneEthylhexyl stearate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Ethylhexyl stearateSodium hydroxide~0.4–0.65%
Caprylyl glycol~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolAllantoin~0.3–0.6%
- 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 AllantoinSodium phytate~0.35–0.6%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.3–0.55%
Hexylene glycol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolAlpha-glucan oligosaccharide~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Alpha-glucan oligosaccharideGlycogen~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about GlycogenLaminaria 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~0.2–0.4%
- 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 LacCitric acid~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidMaltodextrin~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinSchizophyllan~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acetyl hexapeptide-8~0.1–0.15%
- 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~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPotassium sorbate~0.1–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Stearic acid, Triheptanoin, C13-16 isoalkane, Butylene glycol, Propanediol, Inulin, Glyceryl stearate, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Squalane, Ethylhexyl stearate, Sodium hydroxide, Caprylyl glycol, Allantoin, Sodium phytate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene glycol, Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, Glycogen, Laminaria digitata extract, Albatrellus confluens extract, Opuntia ficus-indica stem extract, Lac, Citric acid, Maltodextrin, Schizophyllan, Acetyl hexapeptide-8, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium sorbate
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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 Rescue and Repair Weightless MoisturiserYOUR PRODUCT | BaleaBeauty Expert Day Cream 3% Peptid-Solution 1% Ectoin | BiopelleEmepelle Night Cream | Element EightO2 Peptide Firm Perfect Moisturizer for Wrinkles and Aging Skin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 51% | 50% | 50% |
| Price | $44.20 | $8.49−$35.71 | $195.00+$150.80 | $250.00+$205.80 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 9 | 3 of 9 | 3 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester | Niacinamide | Pentapeptide-18 |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, "Paula's choice - Calm Rescue and Repair Weightless Moisturiser" can work well for skin moisturization. This moisturizer uses a good combo of humectants and emollients. These both types of ingredients are essentials for improving the skin hydration and keeping the skin barrier healthy. Acetyl hexapeptide-8, glycerin, glycogen, butylene glycol and caprylyl glycol in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Caprylic/capric triglyceride, squalane, caprylyl glycol, ethylhexyl stearate and glyceryl stearate in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Ingredient callouts
- We like that this moisturizer contains peptides (acetyl hexapeptide-8 0.10% - 0.15%). 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 3 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
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