Paula's choice RESIST Barrier Repair Advanced Moisturiser
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing22 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“RESIST Barrier Repair Advanced 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, 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: butyrospermum parkii butter, squalane.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: ceramide ag, ceramide ap, ceramide eop, ceramide ng, ceramide np, palmitoyl tripeptide-5, urea
Anti-aging4 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“The formula also protects the skin's natural collagen levels for firmer-looking skin & reduced look of wrinkles with continued use.”
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: palmitoyl tripeptide-5.
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?
Irritancy7 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
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Water~45–55%
Dicaprylyl carbonate~5.2–6.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateEthylhexyl stearate~4.5–5.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Ethylhexyl stearateGlycerin~3.1–3.8%
- 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 GlycerinCocoglycerides~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Help soften the upper layer of the skin and make it easier for oil and water mix together. Recently, a rising number of allergic reactions to cocoglycerides and other coconut-derived surfactants has been reported. As there is a significant overlap between frequent irritants and allergens, we flag this ingredient for attention of those with very sensitive, reactive skin
More about CocoglyceridesSqualane~2.1–2.6%
- 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 SqualaneSodium polyacrylate~1.8–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylateButyrospermum parkii butter~1.6–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterCeramide ag~1.2–1.4%
Ceramide ng~1–1.2%
- 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 ngCeramide np~0.75–1.1%
- 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~0.55–0.85%
- 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~0.55–0.85%
- 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~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateAdenosine~0.45–0.65%
- 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 AdenosinePalmitoyl tripeptide-5~0.45–0.65%
- 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-5Citrullus lanatus seed oil~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glyceryl stearate~0.45–0.7%
- 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 stearateCaprylyl glycol~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolHydroxyacetophenone~0.3–0.55%
Sodium stearoyl glutamate~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateHexylene glycol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolTocopherol~0.25–0.5%
- 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 Tocopherol2,3-butanediol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Xanthan gum~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumEthylhexylglycerin~0.25–0.45%
Sodium phytate~0.25–0.45%
Sodium pca~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaUrea~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin (urea makes up about 7% of natural moisturizing factors in skin). Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Also has a positive effect on the skin barrier beyond the humectant action. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients. Is an exfoliating ingredient when used in high concentrations
More about UreaHydrogenated lecithin~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.
More about Hydrogenated lecithinTrehalose~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin
More about TrehalosePolyquaternium-51~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps create a nice silky finish on the skin
More about Polyquaternium-51Triacetin~0.15–0.3%
Cholesterol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally found in skin
More about CholesterolPhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Water, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Ethylhexyl stearate, Glycerin, Cocoglycerides, Squalane, Sodium polyacrylate, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Ceramide ag, Ceramide ng, Ceramide np, Ceramide ap, Ceramide eop, Sodium hyaluronate, Adenosine, Palmitoyl tripeptide-5, Citrullus lanatus seed oil, Glyceryl stearate, Caprylyl glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Hexylene glycol, Tocopherol, 2,3-butanediol, Xanthan gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium phytate, Sodium pca, Urea, Hydrogenated lecithin, Trehalose, Polyquaternium-51, Triacetin, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol
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Product summary
"Paula's choice - RESIST Barrier Repair Advanced Moisturiser" has a good moisturizing formula. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. Paula's choice - RESIST Barrier Repair Advanced Moisturiser ticks this box. Ceramide ag, urea, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate and sodium pca 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). Emollients in this formulation (ceramide eop, ceramide ng, ceramide np, cholesterol and butyrospermum parkii butter) 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
- As a plus, this moisturizer also contains Ceramides (ceramide eop 0.55% - 0.85%, ceramide ap 0.55% - 0.85%, ceramide np 0.75% - 1.10%, ceramide ng 1.00% - 1.20% and ceramide ag 1.20% - 1.40%). 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 (palmitoyl tripeptide-5 0.45% - 0.65%). 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.
- Adenosine 0.45% - 0.65%. It is a compound that in involved in many biological processes inside the skin cells. According one high-quality clinical trial, topical Adenosine in low concentrations can somewhat help improve "deep wrinkles" - the wrinkles that appear with age in places where our faces are most dynamic (for example, on the forehead or in the corners of the eyes).
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the 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.
Price
The product retails for 34.85£ 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 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6
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