Paula’s Choice reformulated their old barrier repair moisturizer, and I was intrigued: a moisturizer that promises to improve your skin barrier?! Sign me up! But, the question is – does it?! Let’s find out in my Paula’s Choice Barrier Repair Moisturizer review!
This is the reformulated version of the old Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer. I can’t really remember that one as outstanding in either way – it had 0,1% retinol, which the new one doesn’t have. The new version is mainly concerned with skin barrier protection and restoration.
Since starting to use Tretinoin in my skincare routine last summer, I’ve used a lot of products that promise to strengthen and support my skin barrier. (Here’s my latest skincare routine.)
‘Barrier Repair’ sounded so promising that I actually ordered my bottle on the day it was newly released in December.
The Brand
PC, the forerunner of science-based skincare, now owned by Unilever and nowadays rather famous for weird launches (limited edition sunscreen?), unfortunate claims (smooth lines in 20 minutes!) and ramming down their hero product of 20 years down everybody’s throat on social media (oh 2% BHA, bane of my life). It’s a tough world in an overcrowded market.
Paula’s Choice Barrier Repair Moisturizer review: Description
An advanced repairing moisturizer that strengthens, smooths & improves skin’s delicate barrier in 30 minutes + locks in all-day hydration.
Clinically proven to improve skin’s barrier
Paula’s Choice
Delivers all-day hydration & prevents moisture loss
Visibly firms & supports elasticity for younger-looking skin
Light lotion with a dewy finish for all skin types
What it is
This is a light lotion-type moisturizer that promises to improve your skin barrier, hydrate and prevent trans-epidermal water loss.
Ingredients
Water, Dicaprylyl Carbonate,Ethylhexyl Stearate, Glycerin, Cocoglycerides, Squalane, Sodium Polyacrylate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide AS, Ceramide NS, Ceramide EOP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Adenosine, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5,Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hexylene Glycol, Tocopherol,2,3-Butanediol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Sodium PCA, Urea, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Trehalose, Polyquaternium-51, Triacetin, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol
Paula’s Choice
Noteworthy ingredients
Ceramides: They make up about 50% of the liquid between our cells in the skin, keeping the skin supple and hydrated. They’re the cement (well, liquid cement, but no analogy is perfect) between the building blocks of our skin barrier. Of course, adding simply ceramides on top of our skin doesn’t simply work like the ceramides already working in our skin. But they do hydrate and can actually help to repair a compromised skin barrier. Also, a quick note: ceramides, I did recently learn, cost an awful lot: around 400€ for 100g. So, with a product like this that uses multiple ceramides, you really get some bang for your buck!
A lot of moisturizing emollients: glycerin, shea butter, squalene.
Tripeptide-5 is a peptide that promises ‘to protect and boost collagen and and improve skin texture’ (Incidecoder). A manufacturer study claimed it improves the appearance of wrinkles. Collagen is an important player in our skin barrier and reduces trans-epiderma-water-loss.
Sustainability
(We are) reducing our contribution to the climate crisis through materials sourcing, product development & shipping. Our end goal? Net zero emissions by 2030.
Paula’s Choice
For that, they try to reduce packaging, offset carbon emissions, audit gas emissions and reduce air shipments. (I guess that all came with Unilever’s takeover.)
Application
The moisturizer comes with a pump, and I do use one pump of product for my entire face. I use it after a toner and serum, and before sunscreen. I haven’t run into any problems with it: it sits well under sunscreen, and doesn’t pill over any serums. Concerned, I first thought that I’d need to use a heavier moisturizer over it for my dry Tret-and-Winter-skin, but I don’t – it provides enough moisture for my sensitive, dry-leaning skin. I’d say that even oily skintypes would enjoy this one in winter, because it feels very lightweight. It still gives you a pleasant glow with minimal tackiness – your skin will feel moisturized, with that slight film that signifies ‘oh yes, I just did my skincare routine’.
Texture
In true PC form (exceptions might occur), this is an incredibly well formulated product that is very pleasant to use and apply. It’s a milky, rather fluid lotion that is very easy to enjoy when applying. It’s smooth, glides over skin like a dream and sinks in quickly on my skin. I wait until I add SPF over it.
Also, it’s astonishingly lightweight considering the heavy hitter emollients in this.
Effect
PC’s moisturizer promises to hydrate, lock in moisture all day and prevent water loss. And that, it absolutely does. My skin feels as hydrated at the end of the day as when I applied it in the morning. I suspect in the long run this will absolutely strengthen a skin barrier that’s compromised because you’ve dry skin or live in conditions where there’s a very cold and dry weather, for example. It’s less suitable if you’ve destroyed your skin barrier with a surplus of actives.
It actually can sting a bit when I apply it on overly sensitive areas of my skin: Tretinoin makes the area around my mouth especially sensitive, and that feeling is definitely unpleasant. That dissipates quickly, though.
I wouldn’t expect too much from its ‘support elasticity for younger-looking skin’ – it’s younger-LOOKING skin, and that comes mainly from its intense hydration.
Comparison
Oh look, we have another ‘restores your skin barrier in two hours’-product! I found the claim a bit laughable and preposterous in The Ordinary’s Soothing & Barrier Repair Serum, and I do find it laughable and preposterous here. While TO’s serum promised to soothe, this is mainly a – surprise! – moisturizer. And it is an amazing moisturizer. Looking at other moisturizers I love, it’s unique: it both outranks Beyer & Söhne’s Moisturizer in texture and formulation, while it’s a lot more moisturizing than Allies of Skin’s Peptide Treatment. I also prefer it A LOT over PC’s own Omega Moisturizer that might feel more substantial and more moisturizing, but for me, only feels heavier.
Paula’s Choice Barrier Repair Moisturizer review: Rating
After using it non-stop for two months both in my AM and PM routine I’ve to admit that I love this moisturizer and that it’s on its way to become my new Holy Grail. That’s due to its texture that’s lightweight yet substantial, the wonderful soft, pillowy skin-feel and its effect on my skin.
The only thing I don’t like is the packaging – it’s impossible to gauge how much product you’ve got left, and on the morning I took these pics, I run out, without any warning. (Sob.)
Availability & Price
43€ for 50ml/ $38 for 1.7 fl. oz.
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Thanks for your review.
In the way of ceramides, this product seems to contain all 5 types (hydrophilic and lipophilic), I’m keen to try it but was apprehensive until I read your review.
I think the pump dispensing is due to the ceramides and lipids being quite labile, so they’re best protected by an airtight container (rather than screwtop open jar for example) to promote longer shelf life.
Thanks again for your review.
You’re very welcome Lerang! I’m totally for airtight containers, in this instance, though, it was a bit annoying when I was suddenly running out! (Wouldn’t a tiny translucent window be nice, haha!)