All Paula’s Choice retinol products I’ve ever tried reviewed

If you’re looking for a well-formulated retinol product, chances are high you’ll land quickly at Paula’s Choice’s humongous retinol line-up. They’re still a benchmark for well-formulated retinol, and also famous for a really hard to navigate line-up that overwhelms people quickly. But: don’t worry, I’m here to help! I’ve tried A LOT of Paula’s retinol products, and I’ll help you to find the one that’s most suitable for you. Here’re my fave Paula’s Choice retinol products reviewed.

Retinol is both scary stuff with a plethora of side effects, and a deeply researched, effective skincare ingredient, working great for both acne-sufferers and people wanting to reap its anti-aging benefits. I usually don’t write about it, because I find the tendency of people diving into potent formulations after reading a blog post worrying. This is an ingredient where caution, research and a slow approach matter.

The recommended amount varies a lot, depending whether the Vitamin A used is an alcohol, ester or acid. They all work similarly: they promote the speed of cell turnover. The range goes from prescription-only retinoic acid (e.g., tretinoin), to retinol to retinoyl palmitate, the gentlest. A lot depends on the formulation with retinol products, no matter the form: here, it certainly matters if the product also includes skin-soothing ingredients. It pays off to start with a retinoyl palmitate product, and after using that without any side effects popping up, changing to a 0,01 or 0,1% retinol product. If you’re doing it for anti-aging effects, studies suggest that continuity might be key, and that low doses are efficient, too.

Remember to always wear sunscreen when you use any kind of retinol as it increases your skin’s photosensitivity.

• More: how much retinol does your skin need?

For Retinol Beginners

Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer: 0,01% retinol

A great beginner product: a wonderfully silky and light moisturizer that sinks in quickly and leaves you with a smooth skin feel. Only the driest skin might struggle with this, I think.

Squalane and shea butter will leave your skin moisturized, while antioxidants, ceramides and peptides will give you an anti-aging boost. (50ml/1.7 fl.oz. for $35)

Retinol: I used it before!

Intensive Wrinkle-Repair Retinol Serum: 0,1% retinol

A very silicone-y serum that feels like the Super Antioxidant Serum (review) on skin. If you don’t like that typically oily-slick skin-feel of the silicones, try to use it on damp skin! You could also try to mix it into a simple hydrating serum or toner. It’s formulated with Vitamin C, antioxidants and some soothing ingredients.

I feel that in this case, “wrinkle repair” is a bit misleading, especially because this one definitely needs time (lots of!) to work and for skin improvements to become visible. (30ml/1 fl.oz. for $44.)

Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer: 0,1% retinol

One of my absolute faves in the PC line-up. It’s full of ingredients my skin loves: ceramides, Vitamin C and retinol. It’s a very light moisturizer that still feels soothing – in summer, I use this as a moisturizer, while in winter I need to top it up with something more hydrating.

All skintypes should benefit from this one (sadly, it’s also rather expensive). It’s a holy grail product for me. (50ml/1.7 fl.oz. for $59.)

Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment: 0,1% retinol

Yes, this is a body lotion, and yes, people do actually use this on their faces. It’s actually really pleasant both on the body and on the face: due to the silicones it leaves a silky-smooth finish. It’s very cost effective, especially for PC products, but then, you don’t have the plethora of skin-soothing ingredients that the face products offer.

You’ll still have a few antioxidants, though. Best for drier skin types. (118ml/ 4oz. for $29)

For Retinol Experts

Resist 1% Retinol Booster: 1% retinol

If you’ve used retinol before and want to venture into higher percentages, this is a great way to start. You can mix the light fluid into your toner, serum or moisturizer, depending how sensitive your skin is and how much “buffering” it needs. Try the 1-2-3 method: in the first week, use it once, in the second week twice and so on. Do stay with the three times per week for some time before rising the amount: it packs a punch.

I love it for the customization it gives you. As a booster, this isn’t a one-trick-pony and comes with a lot of soothing ingredients and antioxidants. Great for oily skin. (15ml/ 0.5 fl.oz. for $52.) (I don’t have this one in my stash right now, so there’re no pics.)

1% Retinol Treatment: 1% retinol

The hero product, and rightly so. It has a thicker texture (similar to the Ceramide-Enriched Moiturizer), and packs a punch with A LOT of soothing ingredients, peptides and antioxidants. I use it as my serum-step, but when you’ve just gotten it for the first time, I’d recommend treating it like a booster and mixing it with a serum or moisturizer first.

If your skin can cope with that amount of retinol, I think this is one of the best formulas you can get. (30ml/ 1 fl.oz. for $60.)

0,3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment

(PC claims that the combination of 0,3% retinol with Bakuchiol has the same effect as 1% pure retinol.)

If 1% retinol is a bit much for you, you could try this serum that promises the same effect due to Bakuchiol. Studies are a bit iffy on the properties of Bakuchiol, but even 0,3% retinol should give you results. It’s a silicone-y serum that comes with the same benefits as the 1% Retinol Treatments: it’s full of peptides, ceramides, antioxidants and soothing ingredients.

I’m not completely on board with the texture: but then, I often find PC’s silicone-laden formulas a bit heavy. Best for dry or sensitive skin. (30ml/ 1 fl.oz. for $56.)

Please note that this review is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods, or money, for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.