Paula's choice PC4Men Soothe + Smooth
Works for
3 of 4 advertised claims delivered
Anti-blemishSalicylic acid, Allantoin + 1 moreStrong evidence
“Fast-absorbing and non-greasy, the treatment penetrates deeply to unclog pores, eliminating breakouts and blackheads for a smoother, clearer complexion, whilst improving skin tone without over-drying or uncomfortable tightness. E.N. Fragrance and colourant free. Clinically proven non-irritating.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
MoisturizingPalmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 + 11 moreStrong evidence
“This product contains no added dyes, is 100% fragrance-free, and is clinically proven to be non-irritating”
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, trehalose.
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: palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1
Anti-agingPalmitoyl tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 + 1 moreModerate evidence
“Paula's Choice PC4Men Soothe + Smooth is a versatile liquid treatment formulated to calm irritation caused by minor razor nicks and burns, restore essential nutrients lost during shaving and prevent signs of ageing.”
This product contains palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1. These ingredients 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.
Evens skin toneSalicylic acid, Dipotassium glycyrrhizateLimited evidence
“Fast-absorbing and non-greasy, the treatment penetrates deeply to unclog pores, eliminating breakouts and blackheads for a smoother, clearer complexion, whilst improving skin tone without over-drying or uncomfortable tightness. E.N. Fragrance and colourant free. Clinically proven non-irritating.”
This product might help improve the skin tone through exfoliation. In other words, it helps to speed up the shedding of cells from the upper layer of the skin, and this might help reduce hyperpigmentation.
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · Salicylic acid, AllantoinStrong evidence
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: salicylic acid.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 flagged ingredientsMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Dipropylene glycol~5.6–8.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolPentylene glycol~3.7–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolSalicylic acid~1.25–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidButylene glycol~2–3%
- 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 glycolPolysorbate 20~1.6–2.4%
Palmitoyl tripeptide-1~1.4–2.1%
- 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 Palmitoyl tripeptide-1Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7~1.2–1.8%
- 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 Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7Dipotassium glycyrrhizate~0.9–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening
More about Dipotassium glycyrrhizateNordihydroguaiaretic acid~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize the formula of product formulation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skin
More about Nordihydroguaiaretic acidOleanolic acid~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be helpful against blemishes, work as an anti-oxidant, reduce inflammation and improve skin's ability to hold on to moisture, but more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness when applied topically to human skin
More about Oleanolic acidAllantoin~0.15–0.65%
- 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 AllantoinTrehalose~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin
More about TrehalosePanthenol~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolGlycerin~0.2–0.7%
- 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 GlycerinPeg-60 almond glycerides~0.15–0.7%
Caprylyl glycol~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolPeg/ppg-18/4 copolymer~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Methyl gluceth-20~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and soften it
More about Methyl gluceth-20Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silaneGlycereth-26~0.1–0.4%
Sodium metabisulfite~0.1–0.2%
Sodium hydroxide~0.1–0.3%
Carbomer~0.05–0.2%
- 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 CarbomerDisodium edta~0.01–0.05%
Ingredient list view
Water, Dipropylene glycol, Pentylene glycol, Salicylic acid, Butylene glycol, Polysorbate 20, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Nordihydroguaiaretic acid, Oleanolic acid, Allantoin, Trehalose, Panthenol, Glycerin, Peg-60 almond glycerides, Caprylyl glycol, Peg/ppg-18/4 copolymer, Methyl gluceth-20, Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane, Glycereth-26, Sodium metabisulfite, Sodium hydroxide, Carbomer, Disodium edta
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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 choicePC4Men Soothe + SmoothYOUR PRODUCT | Peter Thomas RothAcne-Clear Oil-Free Matte Moisturizer | The Jojoba CompanyIntense Overnight Renewal Cream | PharmaClinixAcnex Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 69% | 69% | 68% |
| Price | — | $38.00 | $45.45 | $18.73 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 9 | 2 of 9 | 3 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Dimethicone | Butyrospermum Parkii Butter | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Judging from the ingredient list, "Paula's choice - PC4Men Soothe + Smooth" works well for improving skin hydration 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. Glycerin, trehalose, methyl gluceth-20, bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane and butylene 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). Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane, caprylyl glycol and pentylene glycol 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
- This moisturizer also contains Peptides (palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 1.20% - 1.80% and palmitoyl tripeptide-1 1.40% - 2.10%). Peptides are a very big group of ingredients. They all consist of a different combination of aminoacids. Our skin produces Peptides naturally. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The scientists are still studying how effective the topical application of Peptides is, but it is very likely that they are helpful. Peptides might be able to support skin barrier restoration and even have an anti-aging benefit. At the very least, they certainly help attract water to the skin and support the hydration in this way.
- Salicylic acid (1.25% - 2.50%) in this product will have an exfoliating effect and help smooth the skin. We, however, do not recommend using a moisturizer with Salicylic Acid daily to avoid over-exfoliating.
- Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate in this product (0.90% - 1.40%) can also further help improve the skin barrier. It might be able to calm down inflammation and reduce sensitivity. Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate is an active compound from the licorice root.
Irritation risk
There are actives in this product that can be irritating. 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 18 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
- 3A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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