I know I’m doing this backwards, but sometimes that’s how it is.
I included Paula’s Choice RESIST Skin Restoring Moisturizer SPF 50 in my Best of Skincare 2017 post before I had a chance to review it! In mid December, Paula’s Choice sent me two bottles of a fabulous serum, one of which will be in the new giveaway on Monday. In addition to the serum, the company also included a small box with RESIST Skin Restoring Moisturizer SPF 50.
The SPF 50 got my attention immediately. Although I’m not outdoors as much in January in New England as during the other seasons, I still do go out when it’s not too cold. Plus when I’m outside shoveling, my skin is just as at risk from UVA/UVB rays as it is in the summer if not more so. Before this moisturizer arrived, I didn’t really have a favorite daytime moisturizer. I love Jan Marini Physical Protectant SPF 45, but I have just a little bit left in the tube. It was a wonderful summer daytime product because I used it as a tinted moisturizer to protect my skin and give me a little color.
Paula’s Choice RESIST Skin Restoring Moisturizer SPF 50 immediately impressed me. It is a lightweight but very hydrating white, fragrance-free cream that is greaseless yet it leaves a semi-matte to dewy finish that I prefer at this age. It’s perfect to wear on its own or under foundation.
The high SPF is an added bonus. This moisturizer uses chemical sunscreen ingredients which may be the reason why it isn’t heavy. Nevertheless, some people prefer physical sunscreen ingredients or cannot use chemical sunscreen so I wanted to point that out. I often like physical sunscreen myself, but I just recently tossed Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Daily Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30. I received it as part of an entire regimen of Paula’s Choice products for dry skin a year or so ago. The tube was about 2/3 empty, but it was time for it to go. It was an OK daytime moisturizer, but it was too heavy and it always left a white cast on my face that I hated. It uses physical sunscreen, and the white cream (in no way was it a lotion) became grainy and very thick over time. Ick. The new Paula’s Choice RESIST Skin Restoring Moisturizer SOF 50 is in an entirely different galaxy from the Skin Recovery Daily Moisturizing Lotion that I just threw out. I also just tossed a half empty jar of StriVectin daytime moisturizer that had the same consistency as the PC Skin Recovery Lotion. Why keep something that I no longer use, right?
My new favorite daytime moisturizer is part of the RESIST anti-aging product line at Paula’s Choice. Skin Restoring Moisturizer is formulated with antioxidants and niacinamide (one of my favorite anti-aging ingredients) as well as shea butter for hydration and licorice that helps calm skin.
I am truly in love with this moisturizer. I’m almost finished with the little 0.5 oz. tube that I received to try out. It will have lasted me a little more than a month.
About a week ago as I noticed I was nearing the end of the tube, I quickly searched for the product on the Paula’s Choice website to see what the price is. I almost had a heart attack when I thought the price of this little tube was $33! Fortunately, I made a mistake. The half ounce travel size tube that I have now is $10, and the full size 2 ounce tube is $33. Whew. So I am waiting for the next Paula’s Choice sale to buy the full size. I have to laugh because I just missed the MLK Weekend sale during which time I thought the half ounce tube was $33 and I was ticked off and wouldn’t buy it. I’m glad I found my mistake. Because for me, Paula’s Choice Skin Restoring Moisturizer SPF 50 is a keeper. I need a new tube pronto!
Although I adore Skin Restoring Moisturizer with SPF 50, I like to take a look at consumer reviews when they’re available to see what others think. I read through the vast majority of the reviews. Most women felt like I did – that they had discovered their new favorite lightweight but hydrating daytime moisturizer with sunscreen that plays nicely under makeup. But there were a number of women who said that the moisturizer that I love gave them a burning sensation either on their skin or near their eyes. They were a small minority, but enough of them wrote about it that I feel that I must mention it to you. The ingredient list is below for you to look at to see if any of the ingredients raise a red flag for you. I think it’s a good thing that Paula’s Choice offers both a travel and a full size. If you’re in the market for a new daytime moisturizer, you could buy the small one to make sure that the formula works as well for you as it does for me before you invest in a full size tube.
Paula’s Choice Skin Restoring Moisturizer SPF 50 is sold on the Paula’s Choice website where there are frequent sales, often with free shipping, and it is also sold at Nordstrom. Paula’s Choice is a cruelty-free brand. The website is a wonderful skincare resource with an informative ingredient dictionary.
Do you have a favorite daytime moisturizer with sunscreen?
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%; Homosalate 5%; Octinoxate 7.50%; Octisalate 5%; Oxybenzone 5% (sunscreen actives). Inactive Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Silica (opacifier and texture enhancer), Glycerin (hydration), Cetearyl Alcohol (texture enhancer), Dimethicone (hydration), Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol (hydration), Potassium Cetyl Phosphate (emulsifier), Cyclopentasiloxane (hydration), Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract (skin-restoring), VP/Eicosene Copolymer (texture enhancer), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter (emollient), Allantoin (skin soothing), Niacinamide (skin-restoring), Tocopherol (vitamin E/antioxidant), Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract (skin soothing), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (hydration, soothing), Atractylodes Macrocephala Root Powder (antioxidant), Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract (skin soothing), Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Seed Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Mahonia Aquifolium Root Extract, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate (antioxidants), Sarcosine, Capryloyl Glycine, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Glucoside (skin softeners), Dimethiconol (texture enhancer), Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer (stabilizer), Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate (hydration), Hexylene Glycol (texture enhancer), 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol (emollient), Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate (texture enhancers), Sodium Hydroxide (pH adjuster), Xanthan Gum (stabilizer), Disodium EDTA (chelating agent), Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol (preservatives), Ethylhexylglycerin (skin softening).
I have tried several of Paula’s choice products. Liked what I tried but wish I could buy them locally. Unfortunately we have no Nordstrom nearby. But I think I may buy a travel size of this product. Going to Charleston…actually Folly Beach…this summer for a week in a beach house. If I like it then would get a full size for my face that week.
I wish there was a Nordstrom near you, Sandy, so you could try a sample in the store. Paula’s Choice is also sold at Dermstore where you can just about always get 20% off and free shipping, but Dermstore doesn’t seem to carry the travel size unfortunately. Best to wait for a sale and free shipping on the Paula’s Choice website. Your trip sounds wonderful. I have never been to the Charleston area but I’d love to go. When I first read your comment, I was thinking maybe I might be in the area around the same time as you, but then I remembered that we’re going to an island off of Savannah (not Charleston) in August. Somehow I get those two cities mixed up. BTW, did you get anything at Ulta yesterday?
I didn’t end u going to Ulta until today. They didn’t have the marbelized lipstick. I am sure it was on their ad. Will check and order online if so. Got a free shipping pass from the store for free shipping. Did pick up a travel size Clinique Moisture Surge and also IT Confidencein a Cream travel size. Also a Real Techniques Blend and Blur shadow brush. I can not leave Ulta I empty handed
I know what you mean, Sandy. I have gotten the free shipping passes from Ulta when they don’t have what I want in the store, and I really appreciate that. Sephora does it, too, but instead they place the order for you at the store. Ulta’s way is better. Moisture Surge is a perennial favorite. I got a teeny little Confidence in a Cream in one of my subbie bags, and I looooove it but I have so many great nighttime moisturizers that I probably won’t buy a full size till I run out of night creams which could be never which is too bad because it’s a terrific product. I bought an RT eye brush duo in December, but I haven’t used them yet – not sure if either one is what you bought. LMK what you think. Sorry they didn’t have the NYX marbleized lipstick. It sounds so cool. I need to check the website to see what it looks like! Have a good weekend xo
I really love the PC Resist line. Such solid performing products. No frills, just great results!
I agree!
I’ve always love Paula’s Choice products! This moisturizer sounds really lovely and I might consider purchasing it when I am done with my current Dermalogica moisturizer.
For me, it was love at first use. This is the best daytime moisturizer I’ve used in years!
I like using moisturisers and primers with high SPF – Paula’s Choice has a very nice Smoothing Primer Serum with SPF 30, which I use beneath makeup on not-so-sunny days. It holds up the makeup on top very well.
There you are, Renu!!! Thank goodness <3 I am not familiar with that primer, but I'll put in on my list to check out at Nordstrom
Sounds like a good product for dry skin, surely won’t work on my acne prone skin
I enjoy your skincare reviews! I am reading this thinking, how have I seriously not tried Paula’s Choice yet?!
Well, we all usually try to stick with what works, right? But if you do, they have a fantastic line for oily skin
Always best to get those items on sale!
I appreciate a good greaseless moisturizer, it just makes me feel unclean otherwise. Looks like a good list of ingredients in there.
This daytime moisturizer ticks off all the boxes for me. It’s a good one
I am one who prefers the physical sunscreen ingredients over the chemical ones. The chemical ones usually perform better under makeup though. Such a struggle. LOL!
I know what you mean, Stacie. I prefer physical sunscreen to putting more chemicals on my skin, but every facial moisturizer with physical sunscreen that I have is or shortly after I get it becomes so thick and often grainy. Many give me the dreaded white cast that I detest. And they are awful under foundation. The only one I have found that I like is the Marini Physical Protectant SPF 45, but though it is very smooth in texture, it is a bit heavier than the Paula’s Choice Skin Restoring Moisturizer so I use it as a tinted moisturizer on its own during the day in the summer and occasionally now in winter too. If you find a good smooth fairly lightweight moisturizer with physical sunscreen that works under foundation, let me know please!
When I was using this moisturizer/spf I totally loved it. I really should pick up a new one before I travel. I’m glad you mentioned they had the smaller size. This not only felt great on my skin but it’s fragrance free!!!
I’m glad I reminded you about it, Marcia! I thought this was a new product from Paula’s Choice because they just sent it to me last month. Well, I’m sorry I didn’t discover it earlier because I love it. I have been struggling to find a daytime moisturizer that played well with foundation, and this is it. How could I forget to mention that it is fragrance-free? Thanks for reminding me.
I like some of their products but this one is a pass for me, chemical sunscreens make me break out so bad
That’s too bad, Kathryne, but a lot of people avoid chemical sunscreens for a variety of reasons. Have you found a good daytime moisturizer with physical sunscreen that works well under foundation? Asking for a friend 😉
I don’t have a favorite right now, but I love a good sunscreen.
I feel the exact same way about the Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Daily Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 so I’m so glad there is an alternative. Thanks for the review!
Glad I’m not the only one who felt that way about the Skin Recovery SPF 30! I’m glad I was sent Skin Recovery to try. I definitely think it’s worth a try either at Nordstrom or via the travel size
I come from a place where we cant live without sunscreen… lol
Nice will try it for sure
This sounds like a product that would fit me perfect!
I have a drugstore brand that I use daily but I like trying new things to see if they work with my skin 🙂
I was having the same issues with the Moisturizing Lotion with the SPF 30 so I think this might be a try for me. I had issues with the Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery which also had an SPF of 50 burning my eyes as it would break down throughout the day so I wonder if the high SPF causes that. Either way I’m going to try the small tube first to make sure I like it!
I’m finding out that I wasn’t the only one with issues with the PC Skin Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30. I hope that the SPF 50 in the Skin Restoring Moisturizer isn’t a problem for you, Cassie. If you have a Nordstrom, try the tester if it’s clean! I am lucky that this moisturizer is perfect for me.
My day time moisturizer is from lush and there’s no SPF since they don’t test on animals
LUSH makes lovely skincare. But just to clarify, not testing on animals has nothing to do with SPF. Paula’s Choice is a cruelty-free brand and they make both regular moisturizer and moisturizers with sunscreen. Sunscreens do not have to be tested on animals in order to prove efficacy.
My moisturizer actually doesn’t have SPF, which sucks because I always forget sunscreen.
My moisturizer actually doesn’t have SPF, which sucks because I always forget sunscreen.
Nikki recently posted…Urban Decay X Kristen Leanne | Collection Review