PRODUCT REVIEW

Paula's choice HYDRALIGHT Moisture Infusing Lotion

Works for:

based on ingredients and %

Moisturizing
Anti-oxidation
Anti-aging

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Camellia sinensis leaf extract 0.45% - 0.7%Avena sativa kernel extract 0.5% - 0.75%

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Buy from Paula's Choice US $33.00

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Product summary

Based on the ingredients included, "Paula's choice - HYDRALIGHT Moisture Infusing Lotion" works well for moisturizing the skin. 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 (glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, sodium pca and butylene 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 (phytosphingosine, cholesterol, bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2, dimethicone and squalane) 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

Another benefit is that this moisturizer contain ceramides (phytosphingosine 0.40% - 0.60%). Ceramides are an important part of our natural skin barrier. The Ceramides used in skincare are synthetic or come from plants. They help soften the skin and can help "fill the gaps" in the skin barrier, keeping the skin hydrated and resilient for longer.

This product contains ingredients that could be beneficial, but their concentrations are too low in this formulation: caprylic/capric triglyceride, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, oatmeal extract and vitamin e

Irritation risk

This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the 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 44.00A$ in Australia and for 33.00$ in the United States.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

What can the product work for?

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

HYDRALIGHT Moisture Infusing Lotion

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, sodium hyaluronate.

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: bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2, dimethicone.

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: phytosphingosine

phytosphingosine 0.4% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

A type of lipid that is naturally present in skin. It might help in repairing skin barrier function and has anti-bacterial effect

sodium pca 0.3% - 0.55%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer

bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2 2% - 2.4%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce water loss from its surface

Anti-aging

This product contains superoxide dismutase. 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.

magnesium aluminum silicate 0.65% - 0.95%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: LOW

Might be helpful in restoring skin barrier function and, when combined with zinc carbonate and malonic acid, reducing fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating elastin production. Also helps stabilize the product formulation

tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate 0.3% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.

camellia sinensis leaf extract 0.45% - 0.7%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation

Anti-oxidation

This product contains antioxidants (superoxide dismutase) 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 - punica granatum extract also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.

superoxide dismutase 0.3% - 0.55%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

An antioxidant enzyme that is naturally present in skin. It can help support skin barrier function and reduce inflammation in skin. It is used in topical medications for inflammatory skin conditions including atopic dermatitis (eczema) and psoriasis. There are three types of natural Superoxide Dismutase in human skin. The compound used in topical treatments and cosmetics are mimics of typically one of these natural variants

punica granatum extract 0.4% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin and even out the skin tone, but is typically used in products in a concentration that is too low to be effective

vaccinium macrocarpon fruit extract 0.4% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: LOW

A berry extract. Might have some anti-oxidant properties

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Can it cause trouble?

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Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

camellia sinensis leaf extract 0.45% - 0.7%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Anti-oxidation, Antibacterial, Anti-aging, Anti-blemish, Evens skin tone, Moisturizing

avena sativa kernel extract 0.5% - 0.75%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Reduces irritation, Anti-inflammatory, Moisturizing, Reduces redness, Anti-oxidation

An effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties

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Potential irritants

vaccinium macrocarpon fruit extract 0.4% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Anti-oxidation

A berry extract. Might have some anti-oxidant properties

potassium cetyl phosphate 0.75% - 1.1%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

Comodogenic ingredients

laureth-4 0.3% - 0.55%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium

Works for: Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together

laureth-23 0.35% - 0.6%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium

Works for: Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

All ingredients

water 45% - 55%

Irritation risk:

Plain old water

neopentyl glycol diheptanoate 4.6% - 5.6%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency

cyclopentasiloxane 4.2% - 5.1%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Mattifying, Moisturizing

A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin

Ingredient list view

Water, Neopentyl glycol diheptanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene glycol, Dimethicone, Bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2, Propylene glycol isoceteth-3 acetate, Squalane, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Cetyl alcohol, Magnesium aluminum silicate, Tocopheryl acetate, Tocopherol, Cholesterol, Avena sativa kernel extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Punica granatum extract, Vaccinium macrocarpon fruit extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Glycerin, Superoxide dismutase, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Sodium pca, Phytosphingosine, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Xanthan gum, Laureth-4, Laureth-23, Sodium hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Benzoic acid, Sorbic acid

	Paula's choice - HYDRALIGHT Moisture Infusing Lotion	cvs - > > > > > CVS Health Moisturizing Lotion	CeraVe - Facial Moisturising Lotion	Uriage - Xémose Emollient Milk	Replenix - Smoothing body lotion	Dermatica - Ultralight Recovery Moisturiser	Meishoku Brilliant Colors - Ceracolla Super Moisture Lotion	Key Soulcare - SKIN TRANSFORMATION CREAM FRAGRANCE FREE	AmLactin - Rapid Relief Restoring Lotion + Ceramides	Curel - Itch Defense Calming Lotion for Dry, Itchy Skin	Dr. Zenovia Skincare - Peptide + Ceramide Repairing Moisturizer
Price
WIMJ similarity score		46%	46%	46%	45%	45%	44%	43%	43%	43%	42%
Key ingredients	phytosphingosine avena sativa kernel extract +13 more	Common: phytosphingosine glycerin +4 more Other: ceramide 3 ceramide 6 ii +2 more	Common: phytosphingosine sodium hyaluronate +4 more Other: niacinamide ceramide eop +2 more	Common: phytosphingosine dimethicone +2 more Other: asiaticoside butyrospermum parkii butter	Common: phytosphingosine dimethicone +7 more Other: retinol ceramide eop +8 more	Common: phytosphingosine squalane +3 more Other: niacinamide sodium ascorbyl phosphate +4 more	Common: phytosphingosine cholesterol +1 more Other: ceramide 2 ceramide 3 +4 more	Common: phytosphingosine sodium hyaluronate +4 more Other: niacinamide bakuchiol +6 more	Common: phytosphingosine cholesterol +2 more Other: paraffinum liquidum petrolatum +4 more	Common: phytosphingosine dimethicone +2 more Other: ceramide np panthenol +4 more	Common: phytosphingosine squalane +7 more Other: bakuchiol tetrapeptide-21 +7 more
Irritancy	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY MEDIUM
Potential Irritants	vaccinium macrocarpon fruit extract Has skin benefit? sorbic acid Has skin benefit? +10 more	hexylene glycol Has skin benefit? caprylyl glycol Has skin benefit? +5 more	ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? disodium edta Has skin benefit? +6 more	asiaticoside Has skin benefit? raspberry seed oil/palm oil aminopropanediol esters Has skin benefit? +7 more	retinol Has skin benefit? disodium edta Has skin benefit? +8 more	acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer Has skin benefit? sodium lauroyl lactylate Has skin benefit? +2 more	propylene glycol Has skin benefit? peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil Has skin benefit? +1 more	ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? sodium lauroyl lactylate Has skin benefit? +3 more	sodium lactate Has skin benefit? potassium sorbate Has skin benefit? +5 more	benzalkonium chloride Has skin benefit? isopropyl alcohol Has skin benefit? +5 more	parfum Has skin benefit? disodium edta Has skin benefit? +14 more
All ingredients	water Has skin benefit? neopentyl glycol diheptanoate Has skin benefit? +35 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +24 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +22 more	water Has skin benefit? butyrospermum parkii butter Has skin benefit? +27 more	water Has skin benefit? caprylic/capric triglyceride Has skin benefit? +37 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +21 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +27 more	water Has skin benefit? isohexadecane Has skin benefit? +35 more	water Has skin benefit? ammonium lactate Has skin benefit? +23 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +27 more	water Has skin benefit? cyclopentasiloxane Has skin benefit? +43 more

PRODUCT REVIEW

Paula's choice HYDRALIGHT Moisture Infusing Lotion

Works for:

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Cheaper alternatives

Product summary

Ingredient callouts

Irritation risk

Price

What can the product work for?

Works for

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Anti-aging

Anti-oxidation

Honesty check

How honest is this product?

Buy now

US Retailers

AU Retailers

Can it cause trouble?

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

User reviews (0)

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Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

All ingredients

Ingredient list view

Sources