PRODUCT REVIEW
Paula's choice Smoothing Primer Serum SPF 30
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Product summary
What can the product work for?
Sun protection
Irritation risk:
UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Organic
Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.
butyloctyl salicylate
4.5% -
6.8%
Irritation risk:
UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Organic
A synthetic ester of salicylic acid that is used to help disperse pigments and boost effectiveness of sunscreen ingredients. It is able to absorb UV light (working as an organic, or chemical filter), but is not approved as a sunscreen ingredient on its own
Irritation risk:
UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Organic
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
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Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
Prevents premature aging and contains antioxidants green tea, coffee seed, and chamomile to help defend against the visible effects of pollution and environmental attack.
retinyl palmitate
1% -
1.6%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
camellia sinensis leaf extract
0.5% -
1.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
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
Evens skin tone
retinyl palmitate
1% -
1.6%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
glycyrrhiza glabra root extract
1.4% -
2.1%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
A plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals
camellia sinensis leaf extract
0.5% -
1.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
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
camellia sinensis leaf extract
0.5% -
1.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
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
bisabolol
2.7% -
4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
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
coffea arabica seed extract
2% -
3%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skin
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Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Sun protection | |
| Anti-aging |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
100/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 1
Potential irritants
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Sun protection
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
chamomilla recutita flower extract
1.3% -
1.9%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-inflammatory
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
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Comodogenic ingredients
chlorella vulgaris extract
0.45% -
1.05%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-inflammatory,
Anti-oxidation
A plant extract that can help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
User reviews (0)
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| WIMJ similarity score |
41%
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37%
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37%
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36%
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36%
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36%
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| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 45 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 | SPF 70 | SPF 30 | SPF 40 | SPF 50 | SPF 40 | SPF 46 |
| Key ingredients | Common:
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| Irritancy | IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
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LOW
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LOW
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LOW
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LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
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LOW
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LOW
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LOW
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LOW
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
camellia sinensis leaf extract
0.5% -
1.2%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-oxidation,
Antibacterial,
Anti-aging,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-blemish,
Moisturizing
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
retinyl palmitate
1% -
1.6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-aging,
Anti-blemish,
Evens skin tone,
Exfoliation
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
Show more
Potential irritants
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Sun protection
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
chamomilla recutita flower extract
1.3% -
1.9%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-inflammatory
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
chlorella vulgaris extract
0.45% -
1.05%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-inflammatory,
Anti-oxidation
A plant extract that can help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
All ingredients
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Sun protection
Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.
homosalate
4%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Sun protection
A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Sun protection
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
Show more
Ingredient list view
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Isododecane, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Butyloctyl salicylate, Polysilicone-11, Bisabolol, Coffea arabica seed extract, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Retinyl palmitate, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Calluna vulgaris flower extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Chlorella vulgaris extract, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Physalis angulata extract, Pyrus malus fruit extract, Diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate
Sources
- Opinion on Homosalate - Scientific Committee on Consumer Products
- Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicylate, Isocetyl Salicylate, Isodecyl Salicylate, Magnesium Salicylate, MEA-Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Potassium Salicylate, Methyl Salicylate, Myristyl Salicylate, Sodium Salicylate, TEA-Salicylate, and Tridecyl Salicylate