Paula's choice Soothe + Smooth

"Paula's choice - Soothe + Smooth" has a good moisturizing formula. As we expect from a proper moisturizer, the formula includes a combo of effective humectants and emollients. These are the two different types of ingredients that are essential for improving the skin hydration and supporting a healthy skin barrier. Humectants in this product (glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, trehalose, methyl gluceth-20 and bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). 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

• We like that this moisturizer contains peptides (palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 1.20% - 1.90% and palmitoyl tripeptide-1 1.40% - 2.10%). There are many different kind of peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of amino-acids. Some of them work as natural anti-biotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective peptides in skincare are, 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.
• Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate in this product (0.95% - 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.

Price

The product retails for 108.95CA$ in Canada, for 36.00$ in the United States and for 49.00A$ in Australia.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.