Moisturizers

My skin is normal, without any really oily or dry areas. Which moisturizer should I use?
We recommend starting with our lighter formulas (Skin Balancing Moisture Gel or HydraLight Moisture-Infusing Lotion). If you want more substantial moisturizing, try the Moisture Boost Hydrating Treatment Cream. If you would like a light, mattifying daytime moisturizer with SPF protection, try the Skin Balancing Daily Mattifying Lotion SPF 15.

I have normal to oily skin with dry patches. What moisturizer should I use?
The HydraLight Moisture-Infusing Lotion and Skin Balancing Moisture Gel are excellent options. If the eye area is dry, consider a more emollient formula such as our Hydrating Treatment Cream or Skin Recovery Moisturizer. If you would like a light, mattifying daytime moisturizer with SPF protection, try the Skin Balancing Daily Mattifying Lotion SPF 15.

If you are using anti-acne products (including Retin-A), your skin is oily to very oily skin and you are experiencing surface dryness, try the Skin Balancing Moisture Gel.

What is the difference between the HydraLight Moisture-Infusing Lotion and Skin Balancing Moisture Gel?
The main difference is texture and how they feel on the skin. HydraLight Moisture-Infusing Lotion leaves a satiny finish, while Skin Balancing Moisture Gel's silicone base leaves a silky matte finish, and is a better choice if you need light moisturizing but don't want any after-feel.

If I wish to maintain the mattifying benefit of the Skin Balancing Daily Mattifying Lotion SPF 15, should I apply it at night, too?
We don’t recommend wearing any moisturizers with sunscreen at night because the actives aren’t needed in the evening and provide no other benefit for skin. Instead, use our Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Mattifying Concentrate. You’ll maintain a matte finish while reserving the sun protection in Skin Balancing Daily Mattifying Lotion for daytime, when skin needs it most.

I have mostly normal skin with dry areas, especially on my cheeks. Which moisturizer will work best for me?
We recommend starting with our Moisture Boost Hydrating Treatment Cream. If your dry areas still do not improve, then try our Skin Recovery Moisturizer. It is OK to only put moisturizer on the dry areas and not your entire face.

My skin is dry. Which moisturizer do you recommend?
We recommend our Moisture Boost Hydrating Treatment Cream. It is also helpful to use our Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate or Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant Concentrate in combination with (on top of or underneath) any moisturizer you apply.

I have very dry skin. Which moisturizer should I use?
Our Skin Recovery Moisturizer is designed for very dry skin and is gentle, very creamy, and rich. It is also helpful to use our Resist Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant Concentrate in combination with (on top of or underneath) any moisturizer you apply.

My skin is really sensitive. Do you have a moisturizer for me?
Since none of Paula's Choice Moisturizers contain fragrance, coloring agents, or sensitizing plant extracts, they are all extremely gentle options for your sensitive skin.

Do any of your moisturizers work as a night cream/eye cream? Why don't you offer a moisturizer made specifically for the eyes?
Yes. If you have oily or breakout-prone skin we recommend the HydraLight Moisture-Infusing Lotion or Skin Balancing Moisture Gel. For dry skin, try the Moisture Boost Hydrating Treatment Cream, and for extra dry skin, try the Skin Recovery Moisturizer.

Eye creams are a whim of the cosmetics industry designed to evoke the sale of two products when only one is needed. There is no evidence, research, or documentation validating the claim that eye creams have special formulations setting them apart from other facial moisturizers-the only difference is price and the tiny containers the eye creams come in. For more information, please see the article Are Eye Creams Necessary?

The Paula's Choice moisturizer I used to use no longer works for my skin. What do you recommend?
Skin type changes depending on many factors (climate, hormones, or medications, to name a few). See Understanding Why Skin Type Can Be So Complicated for more information. It is often necessary to change moisturizers seasonally. More emollient moisturizers like our Skin Recovery Moisturizer or Moisture Boost Hydrating Treatment Cream can be helpful for winter, and lighter-weight products such as our Skin Balancing Moisture Gel or HydraLight Moisture-Infusing Lotion may be more appropriate for your skin during the summer.

How is Beautiful Body Butter different from Paula's Choice nighttime moisturizers?
Beautiful Body Butter is our thickest, richest, most emollient product and has a very different texture from our nighttime facial moisturizers. It is meant to provide the utmost protection and smoothing for dry to very dry areas such as hands, feet, elbows, and knees. Although our Skin Recovery Moisturizer and Hydrating Treatment Cream are also suitable options for areas of dry to very dry skin, Beautiful Body Butter was formulated to address the most troublesome aspects of these skin types, such as roughness, splitting, and cracking. In addition, although Beautiful Body Butter can be used on the face, its thick texture makes it preferred for use from the neck down. In contrast, our nighttime moisturizers were designed specifically for the face, but can also be used on the body.

What is the difference between Beautiful Body Butter and the Lip Recovery Balm?
The primary difference is texture. The Beautiful Body Butter's soft, creamy texture is like dense whipped butter. The Lip Recovery Balm is extremely thick with a rich, lubricating feel. In addition, the Beautiful Body Butter is water-based whereas the Lip Recovery Balm is plant oil-based and waterless, giving it a more viscous, less absorbent quality. Both products are excellent for addressing the needs of dry to extremely dehydrated skin such as dry, cracked heels, ragged cuticles, rough elbows or knees,. Because Beautiful Body Butter has a lighter finish and is more easily absorbed, it is recommended for larger areas of dry skin or as a spot treatment. The Lip Recovery Balm is best as a spot treatment or for chapped lips.

Paula Begoun

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