Paulas Choice Review: The Best Products For Sensitive Skin

Estimated reading time: 12 minutes

Paula’s Choice is best known for its no-nonsense approach to skin care. They pride themselves on having straight-forward formulas free of fragrance and fillers, which is excellent for those with sensitive skin like me. But, before you buy anything, read this Paulas Choice review.

After reading various internet forums about their effectiveness, I tried my first Paula’s Choice product in 2019. And since then, I’ve branched out to experience many brands, but I always recommend Paula’s Choice to folks looking to build an effective skincare routine.

So, keep reading for my honest review of the Paulas Choice brand. I’m sharing whether the brand is worth the hype, my product recommendations for sensitive skin, and a promo link to save.

Paulas Choice: Brand Overview

Founded in 1995, Paula’s Choice is a Seattle-based skincare brand that creates no-nonsense, no-frills, concentrated, effective formulas with scientifically-backed ingredients.

The brand caters to every skin type and concern, with eight collections addressing various issues, including those with sensitive skin. And the packaging of every product indicates the skin type that the product can be suited for.

As one of the first consumer-to-market skincare brands, ingredients are at the heart of Paula’s Choice. In fact, if you want to know about any ingredient listed on their products, there’s a helpful parenthetical that characterizes the function of each one. The brand’s website also has an ingredient dictionary that many people rely on.

The Best Paula’s Choice Products For Sensitive Skin

So, where should you start if you’re new to Paula’s Choice?

While the brand has a lot of great products, here are the best Paula’s Choice products that will work for any skin type and condition, including those with sensitive skin. They’re also great if you’re new to building a skincare routine. Try these Paula’s Choice products below.

Paula’s Choice: Cleansers Great For Sensitive Skin

Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Cleansing Balm 

Cost: $29.00

Size: 3.5 oz.

Active Ingredients: Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Rapeseed Oil

Best For: All skin types

Pros: Removes makeup easily, emulsifies well, doesn’t leave a residue

Cons: It’s not TSA-friendly (it’s 0.1 oz off!)

Check out my dedicated blog post on this cleansing balm here for more details. 

Paula’s Choice CALM Ultra Gentle Cleanser

Cost: $19.00

Size: 6.7 oz.

Active Ingredients: Gentle cleansing agents, glycerin, triglyceride, Prebiotic sugars

Best For: All skin types, especially sensitive and sensitized skin

Pros: Mild surfactants melt away impurities with a softening lather that preserves the skin’s barrier. 

Cons: It’s not TSA-friendly

Paula’s Choice RESIST Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser

Cost: $22.00

Size: 6.4 oz.

Active Ingredients: Green tea, camellia oleifera, chamomile, glycerin, triglycerides

Best For: All skin types, especially dry and dehydrated skin

Pros: A hydrating lotion formula with skin-restoring ingredients to cleanse without dryness. 

Cons: It’s not TSA-friendly

Paula’s Choice: Treatments & Serums Great For Sensitive Skin

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Cost: $34.00

Size: 4.0 oz.

Active Ingredients: Beta hydroxy acid (salicylic acid), green tea

Best For: Clogged pores, dull skin

Pros: Removes makeup easily, emulsifies well, doesn’t leave a residue

Cons: It’s not TSA-friendly

Paula’s Choice CALM 1% BHA Sensitive Skin Exfoliant

Cost: $34.00

Size: 3.3 oz.

Active Ingredients: Beta hydroxy acid (salicylic acid), natural prebiotics, allantoin⁠, mushroom extract

Best For: Clogged pores, dull skin

Pros: You can actually get all the results of an anti-aging BHA in a gentle form that’s great for eczema and rosacea-prone skin.

Cons: None

Paula’s Choice RESIST Daily Smoothing Treatment with 5% AHA

Cost: $37.00

Size: 1.7 oz.

Active Ingredients: Glycolic acid, peptides, ceramides

Best For: All skin types, especially dry skin

Pros: Refines the skin surface with gentle and non-abrasive exfoliation. It also offers hydration, soothing antioxidants, and a mix of fortifying skin-restoring ingredients.

Cons: None

Paula’s Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment

Cost: $62.00

Size: 1.0 oz.

Active Ingredients: Retinol, bakuchiol, peptides, ceramides

Best For: All skin types

Pros: Retinol and plant-derived bakuchiol work with firming peptides to deliver multi-level repair and rejuvenation. It also targets fine lines, deep wrinkles, uneven skin tone, enlarged pores, and rough texture.

Cons: Can sensitize your skin if not gradually incorporated into your skincare routine

Paula’s Choice 1% Retinol Booster

Cost: $55.00

Size: 0.5 oz.

Active Ingredients: Retinol, non-fragrant extracts, ceramides, peptides

Best For: All skin types

Pros: A concentrated, pure form of retinol in a slow-release delivery system with a light fluid lotion texture. This booster can also be mixed in with your moisturizer to regulate your strength.

Cons: Can sensitize your skin if not gradually incorporated into your skincare routine

Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster

Cost: $55.00

Size: 0.67 oz.

Active Ingredients: L-ascorbic acid, vitamin E, ferulic acid, hyaluronic acid

Best For: All skin types that can tolerate Vitamin C

Pros:  The formula contains a concentrated form of vitamin C and an assortment of skin-replenishing ingredients to help improve the appearance of uneven skin tone, brighten a dull complexion, and help protect the skin against free radicals and skin damage.

Cons: 15% L-ascorbic acid is potent, so ensure your skin can tolerate it.

Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster

Cost: $49.00

Size: 0.67 oz.

Active Ingredients: Niacinamide, allantoin, licorice root

Best For: All skin types

Pros: A concentrated formula that can help reduce the appearance of enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, wrinkles, and dry skin. 

Cons: None

Paula’s Choice Skin Hyaluronic Acid Booster

Cost: $39.00

Size: 0.5 oz.

Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, pro-vitamin B5

Best For: All skin types

Pros: A specialized mix of skin-smoothing hyaluronic acid, skin-replenishing ceramides, and panthenol to help lock in moisture, keeping skin hydrated and ultimately moisturized. This formula can be used alone, or you can add a few drops to your favorite moisturizer or serum.

Cons: None

Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Serum

Cost: $42.00

Size: 1.0 oz.

Active Ingredients: Omegas 3, 6, and 9, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, shea butter

Best For: All skin types

Pros: This serum contains robust levels of Omega 3, 6, and 9 oils, skin-identical ceramides, and hydrating ingredients to visibly improve skin health.

Cons: None

Paula’s Choice CALM Repairing Serum

Cost: $44.00

Size: 1.0 oz.

Active Ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, beta-glucan, plant extracts

Best For: All skin types

Pros: This serum provides immediate relief for sensitive skin, combining skin-replenishers and anti-aging ingredients like ceramides and beta-glucan with antioxidant-enriched plant extracts to nourish and repair the skin.

Cons: None

Paula’s Choice: Moisturizers Great For Sensitive Skin

Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Moisturizer

Cost: $37.00

Size: 1.7 oz.

Active Ingredients: Omegas 3, 6 & 9, ceramides, plant oils, and botanical antioxidants

Best For: All skin types

Pros: Hydrates, soothes, and provides barrier-strengthening nutrients to address signs of dry, flaky skin

Cons: None

Paula’s Choice CALM Rescue & Repair Intensive Moisturizer

Cost: $28.00

Size: 2.0 oz.

Active Ingredients: Sunflower seed oil, natural prebiotics, allantoin, mushroom extract

Best For: All skin types

Pros: Moisturizes while supporting the skin’s microbiome to boost resiliency over time. Contains antioxidants, emollients, and skin-replenishing ingredients leaving a supple, radiant finish. 

Cons: Although it’s geared toward dry skin, I would recommend it for normal to combo skin.

Paula’s Choice Water-Infusing Electrolyte Moisturizer

Cost: $37.00

Size: 1.7 oz.

Active Ingredients: Mineral electrolytes calcium, potassium, magnesium, PCA

Best For: Oily, dehydrated skin

Pros: A lightweight moisturizer that replenishes the skin’s water content 

Cons: Not suited for dry skin (I use this in the summer months when it’s really hot and humid.)

Paula’s Choice: Sunscreens Great For Sensitive Skin

Paula’s Choice Youth Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50

Cost: $37.00

Size: 2.0 oz.

Active Ingredients: Broad spectrum SPF 50, plant extracts, antioxidants

Best For: All skin types

Pros: One of the most wearable sunscreens! This lightweight- watery formula blurs the pores a bit, doesn’t pill, and, most importantly, doesn’t leave a white cast! 

Cons: None (This is one of my favorite sunscreens!)

Paula’s Choice: Face Oils Great For Sensitive Skin

Paula’s Choice Moisture Renewal Oil Booster

Cost: $39.00

Size: 0.67 oz.

Active Ingredients: 9 plant-based oils, ceramides, antioxidants

Best For: All skin types

Pros: This formula contains gentle, nourishing plant oils and skin-vital antioxidants to alleviate dry skin, calm redness, and create a smooth, dewy glow to the skin.

Cons: None

So, Is Paula’s Choice Worth It?

Well, I think so! The brand is transparent, reasonably priced, and carries effective products free of ingredients that commonly irritate people with skin sensitivities like eczema. 

This means that Paula’s Choice products are:

• Fragrance-free
• Dye-free
• Essential-oil free, and
• Alcohol-free

And hundreds of positive testimonials attest to the quality, efficacy, and value of the brand’s skincare products.

Paula’s Choice Promotions & Discounts

Paula’s Choice provides several sales during the year on their website, or at Sephora, where you can save up to 20% off your purchase.

I’m also an affiliate of Paula’s Choice, so you can shop and save 15% anytime using my link here. You can also go to: https://www.paulaschoice.com/skincare-influencer/dana.

Bottomline

Paula’s Choice carries a large variety of products suitable for most skin types. And their products are transparent, fragrance-free, and effective.

Check them out! And reach out to me if you have a question about any product not listed in this post.

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