Paula's choice Resist Anti-Aging Super-Light Moisturiser SPF30
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 1 UV filter · Broad spectrumWeak protectionLow filter dose
This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.
Anti-aging4 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
“Resist Anti-Aging Super-Light Moisturiser SPF30”
This product contains epigallocatechin gallate, resveratrol. 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. The biggest anti-aging effect in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing early signs of skin aging. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 10 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product contains antioxidants (resveratrol) 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 - epigallocatechin gallate, haematococcus pluvialis extract, punica granatum extract, quercetin also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 4 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: epigallocatechin gallate, punica granatum extract, resveratrol.
The biggest effect for evening out skin tone in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations. This is why sun protection is the best strategy for maintaining an even skin tone. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy10 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~45–55%
Cyclopentasiloxane~5.9–7.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneZinc oxide~5.1–6.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant
More about Zinc oxidePeg-12 dimethicone~3.3–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Peg-12 dimethiconePeg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone~2.6–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that mixes with water creating nice light-weight product texture
More about Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethiconeLauroyl lysine~2.1–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice product texture
More about Lauroyl lysineSodium chloride~1.8–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideTrihydroxystearin~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and improve the product texture
More about TrihydroxystearinDimethicone crosspolymer~1.3–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product texture. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might be able to prevent moisture loss from its surface
More about Dimethicone crosspolymerResveratrol~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps neutralize free radicals in skin and might help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, as well as even out the skin tone
More about ResveratrolQuercetin~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about QuercetinEpigallocatechin gallate~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A polyphenol found in tea. This particular compound abbreviated EGCG is the most powerful antioxidant among those extracted from tea (usually green tea). Unfortunately, EGCG is unstable, requires a low pH (below 4) to prevent quick degradation, and does not penetrate the skin very well. This is why the full anti-oxidant effect of EGCG is typically not realized when it is added to topical skincare
More about Epigallocatechin gallateTocopheryl acetate~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateTocopherol~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about TocopherolTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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.
More about Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateBisabolol~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololSalix alba bark extract~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. It contains a compound salicin that can theoretically be converted into salicylic acid that, in turn, helps reduce inflammation in skin, but the evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking and the extract is usually not used in a concentration that would enable an exfoliating effect
More about Salix alba bark extractPunica granatum extract~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- 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
More about Punica granatum extractHaematococcus pluvialis extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Green algae extract that might contain antioxidant astaxanthin
More about Haematococcus pluvialis extractHydrolyzed corn starch~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps improve the product texture
More about Hydrolyzed corn starchPolysorbate 80~0.45–0.7%
Silica~0.5–0.8%
Triethoxycaprylylsilane~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation
More about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneC12-15 alkyl benzoate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoateIsopropyl titanium triisostearate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Isopropyl titanium triisostearateCaprylyl glycol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolHexylene glycol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolEthylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.25%
Iron oxides~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear
More about Iron oxidesPhenoxyethanol~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Zinc oxide, Peg-12 dimethicone, Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone, Lauroyl lysine, Sodium chloride, Trihydroxystearin, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Resveratrol, Quercetin, Epigallocatechin gallate, Tocopheryl acetate, Tocopherol, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Bisabolol, Salix alba bark extract, Punica granatum extract, Haematococcus pluvialis extract, Hydrolyzed corn starch, Polysorbate 80, Silica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Isopropyl titanium triisostearate, Caprylyl glycol, Hexylene glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Iron oxides, Phenoxyethanol
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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 choiceResist Anti-Aging Super-Light Moisturiser SPF30YOUR PRODUCT | Image skincarePREVENTION+ SPF32+ Daily Matte Moisturizer | |
|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 52% |
| Price | $43.83 | $50.00+$6.17 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 11 |
| Key difference | — | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 32 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop |
Product summary
"Paula's choice - Resist Anti-Aging Super-Light Moisturiser SPF30" is using UV filters in a relatively low concentration. Because of this, it might not be able to provide reliable sun protection.
Sunscreen filters
This moisturizer is a mineral sunscreen. It uses zinc oxide for sun protection. Zinc oxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains actives 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.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Paula's choice" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails for 33.15£ 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 27 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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