Paula's choice RESIST Brightening Essence Treatment
Works for
MoisturizingAcetyl glucosamine, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 + 8 moreWorks well
“Treat lack-lustre complexions to the Paula's Choice RESIST Brightening Essence Treatment; a lightweight, radiance-reviving formula that works to combat uneven skin tone and texture.Infused with a host of beneficial ingredients, including plant extracts, vitamins and antioxidants, the fast-absorbing, anti-aging treatment regenerates and revitalises skin, whilst Hyaluronic Acid delivers long-lasting moisture and hydration to reveal a smoother, more refined complexion.”
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, hyaluronic acid.
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: acetyl glucosamine, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1
Evens skin toneArbutin, Acetyl glucosamine + 3 moreWorks well
“Treat lack-lustre complexions to the Paula's Choice RESIST Brightening Essence Treatment; a lightweight, radiance-reviving formula that works to combat uneven skin tone and texture.Infused with a host of beneficial ingredients, including plant extracts, vitamins and antioxidants, the fast-absorbing, anti-aging treatment regenerates and revitalises skin, whilst Hyaluronic Acid delivers long-lasting moisture and hydration to reveal a smoother, more refined complexion.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: acetyl glucosamine
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: arbutin, ascorbyl glucoside, glycyrrhiza glabra root extract.
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-agingAcetyl glucosamine, Ascorbyl glucoside + 5 moreWorks well
“An innovative multi-brightening complex combats dull, sallow skin to restore a luminous, youthful glow.Ideal for all skin types.Not tested on animals.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains acetyl glucosamine, adenosine.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: ascorbyl glucoside, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1.
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.
ExfoliationAcetyl glucosamine, AllantoinNot delivered
This product might help exfoliate the skin with acetyl glucosamine, but This ingredient is not the most effective.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 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%
Butylene glycol~4.6–6.8%
- 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 glycolGlycerin~2.8–4.2%
- 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 GlycerinArbutin~2.4–3.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Beta-arbutin. Can help to reduce hyperpigmentation and has an anti-oxidant effect when used in high enough concentration. Is less effective compared to alpha-arbutin
More about ArbutinAcetyl glucosamine~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An effective moisturizing ingredient that also has been shown to be effective in evening out the skin tone and reducing hyperpigmentation. It can help somewhat reduce wrinkles in skin
More about Acetyl glucosamineAscorbyl glucoside~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
More about Ascorbyl glucosideGlycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.8–1.25%
- 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 extractArctostaphylos uva ursi leaf extract~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Morus alba root extract~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Niacinamide~0.5–1.2%
- 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 NiacinamideSodium hyaluronate~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateHyaluronic acid~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation
More about Hyaluronic acidPalmitoyl tripeptide-1~0.15–0.55%
- 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-7~0.1–0.5%
- 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-7Allantoin~0.1–0.35%
- 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 AllantoinAdenosine~0.1–0.35%
- 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 AdenosineSilanetriol~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Carbomer~0.1–0.4%
- 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 CarbomerPolysorbate 20~0.1–0.45%
Citric acid~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium citrate~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateSodium hydroxide~0.1–0.35%
Disodium edta~0.05–0.25%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.2%
Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, Glycerin, Arbutin, Acetyl glucosamine, Ascorbyl glucoside, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Arctostaphylos uva ursi leaf extract, Morus alba root extract, Niacinamide, Sodium hyaluronate, Hyaluronic acid, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, Allantoin, Adenosine, Silanetriol, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Citric acid, Sodium citrate, Sodium hydroxide, Disodium edta, Ethylhexylglycerin, 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 Brightening Essence TreatmentYOUR PRODUCT | SWANICOCOPeptine Biome For Men All In One Essence | VitabridFacial Boosting Water: Antioxidant Hydrating Toner | Vitabrid US | VITABRID C12Facial Boosting Water Toner | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 82% | 79% | 79% |
| Price | — | $22.17 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 10 | 6 of 10 | 6 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester | Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 | Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: SCINIC Collagen Jelly Mist Tonernumbuzin No.5+ Glutathione Vitamin Boosting Essential Toner
Product summary
"Paula's choice - RESIST Brightening Essence Treatment" is effective for: Moisturizing, Evens skin tone and Anti-aging
Ingredient callouts
- Peptides (palmitoyl tripeptide-1 0.15% - 0.55% and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 0.10% - 0.50%). 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. They 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 0.10% - 0.35%. It is a chemical present inside our skin cells. A clinical trial confirmed that topical application of Adenosine in a low concentration can reduce dynamic wrinkles (these are the wrinkles that appear with age in a places where our mimic is the most active, for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead).
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.35% - 0.85%, hyaluronic acid 0.20% - 0.75%, acetyl glucosamine 1.70% - 2.50% and glycerin 2.80% - 4.20%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 18 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Arbutin - Commentatymdedge.com
- 3TOPICAL TREATMENT OF MELASMAncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4
- 5Glucosamine: an ingredient with skin and other benefitsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6
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