Paula's choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer
Works for
1 of 3 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingPhytosphingosine, Ceramide eop + 16 moreStrong evidence
“This oil-free moisturiser hydrates acne-prone skin without clogging pores or making breakouts worse.”
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:
arginine, glycerin.
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: arginine, 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, panthenol, phytosphingosine, tripeptide-29
Evens skin toneGlycyrrhiza glabra root extract, NiacinamideLimited evidence
“Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Visibly refines enlarged pores while addressing discoloration and blemishes.”
This product contains ingredients (glycyrrhiza glabra root extract) that could help reduce hyperpigmentation (for example, post-acne marks or age spots) in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
Anti-blemishPhytosphingosine, NiacinamideWeak evidence
“Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Visibly refines enlarged pores while addressing discoloration and blemishes.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Adenosine, Tripeptide-29 + 1 moreStrong evidence
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains adenosine.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: tripeptide-29.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy9 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%
Ethyl macadamiate~5.4–6.6%
Glycerin~4.2–5.1%
- 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 GlycerinCetearyl alcohol~2.6–3.2%
- 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 alcoholPropanediol~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolTriethylhexanoin~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about TriethylhexanoinSodium acrylates copolymer~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Sodium acrylates copolymerGlyceryl stearate~1.5–1.8%
- 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 stearatePeg-100 stearate~1.3–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateGlycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.7–1.1%
- 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 extractHydrolyzed pumpkin seedcake~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Vaccinium angustifolium fruit extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract tha can have anti-oxidant properties, but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking
More about Vaccinium angustifolium fruit extractEuterpe oleracea fruit extract~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can have some anti-oxidant effect in skin
More about Euterpe oleracea fruit extractPrunus serotina fruit extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Niacinamide~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideTripeptide-29~0.4–0.65%
Ceramide np~0.45–0.7%
- 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 npCeramide ap~0.4–0.6%
- 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 apCeramide eop~0.35–0.6%
- 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 eopSodium hyaluronate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronatePhytosphingosine~0.3–0.6%
- 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 PhytosphingosineCholesterol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally found in skin
More about CholesterolPanthenol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolSodium pca~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaAdenosine~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)
More about AdenosineLecithin~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinArginine~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
More about ArginineSodium lauroyl lactylate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Sodium lauroyl lactylateSodium gluconate~0.2–0.35%
Citric 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 acidIsohexadecane~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Improves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent
More about IsohexadecaneXanthan gum~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCarbomer~0.1–0.2%
- 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 CarbomerPhenoxyethanol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolEthylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Ethyl macadamiate, Glycerin, Cetearyl alcohol, Propanediol, Triethylhexanoin, Sodium acrylates copolymer, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Hydrolyzed pumpkin seedcake, Vaccinium angustifolium fruit extract, Euterpe oleracea fruit extract, Prunus serotina fruit extract, Niacinamide, Tripeptide-29, Ceramide np, Ceramide ap, Ceramide eop, Sodium hyaluronate, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Panthenol, Sodium pca, Adenosine, Lecithin, Arginine, Sodium lauroyl lactylate, Sodium gluconate, Citric acid, Isohexadecane, Xanthan gum, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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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 choiceClear Oil-Free MoisturizerYOUR PRODUCT | THE formularxBarrier Relief Lightweight Ceramide Moisturizer | DermaticaSoothing Centella Gel Moisturiser | Standard SeoulBarrier Glass Gel Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 86% | 83% | 81% |
| Price | $42.00 | $8.94−$33.06 | $17.31−$24.69 | $22.50−$19.50 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 9 of 14 | 9 of 14 | 11 of 14 |
| Key difference | — | Colloidal Oatmeal | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride | Gluconolactone |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | High |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Paula's choice - Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer" is a well-rounded moisturizing product. As we expect from a proper moisturizer, the formula includes a combo of effective humectants and emollients. These are the two different types of ingredients that are essential for improving the skin hydration and supporting a healthy skin barrier. Humectants in this product (arginine, glycerin and sodium pca) 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). Ceramide eop, ceramide np, phytosphingosine, cholesterol and arginine 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
- As a plus, this moisturizer also contains ceramides (phytosphingosine 0.20% - 0.75%, ceramide eop 0.20% - 0.75%, ceramide ap 0.20% - 0.75% and ceramide np 0.35% - 0.80%). 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.
- We like that this moisturizer contains peptides (tripeptide-29 0.30% - 0.75%). There are many different kind of peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of amino-acids. Some of them work as natural anti-biotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective peptides in skincare are, 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 medium. 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.
Price
The product retails for 71.66CA$ in Canada, for 42.00A$ in Australia, for 29.00$ in the United States and for 28.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 studies and safety reviews.
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