Paula’s Choice is a holy grail brand for many skincare enthusiasts. However, for someone new to the brand, the wide variety of products can be overwhelming.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of the best Paula’s Choice products for all skin concerns and types.
The Best Paula's Choice Products
Best Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin
Best Paula’s Choice Cleanser for Normal, Combination, and Oily Skin
Paula’s Choice Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser
This cream-to-foam cleanser is gentle on the skin, but still effectively removes excess oil and debris. It contains replenishing ingredients that balance moisture levels and leave the skin feeling soft and balanced.
People with oily to normal skin need a cleanser that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin of its natural moisture (which can actually trigger the production of more oil). This cleanser is formulated to gently cleanse while still maintaining moisturized skin.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Gentle
- Lightweight
Cons
- Some reviewers noted it irritated their skin
One of the key ingredients in this cleanser is hyaluronic acid, which helps the skin retain moisture[1]. It also contains ceramides, which work to restore the moisture barrier and strengthen the skin[2]. This cleanser also contains aloe, which is an excellent ingredient for calming sensitive skin and reducing redness.
Best Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin
Best Paula’s Choice Cleanser for Normal, Dry, and Sensitive Skin
Paula’s Choice Hydralight One Step Face Cleanser
For those with drier skin, this gentle gel cleanser is one of the best Paula’s Choice products. It contains replenishing ingredients that leave the skin feeling refreshed and clean without any dryness.
This cleanser is incredibly gentle, even for those with more sensitive skin. However, the gel formula still effectively cleans the skin, and the addition of soothing and replenishing ingredients makes it a great option for those with drier skin.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Gentle
- Lightweight
Cons
- Some reviewers note that it doesn’t remove makeup
This cleanser contains sodium hyaluronate (the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid), which increases moisture levels in the skin. It also contains allantoin and niacinamide, which moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Best Moisturizer for Normal to Oily Skin
Best Paula’s Choice Moisturizer for Normal, Combination, and Oily Skin
Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Invisible Finish Moisture Gel
This super light gel formula is perfect for those with normal to oily skin, as it hydrates without making the skin feel greasy.
Oilier skin types still need to moisturize daily, as it helps their skin stay hydrated and balanced. This super lightweight gel moisturizer is one of the best Paula’s Choice products for normal to oily skin, as it quenches the skin without leaving a greasy finish.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Non-greasy
- Lightweight
Cons
- No SPF for daytime use
This moisturizer contains niacinamide, which calms the skin and can also reduce the appearance of fine lines[3]. It also contains hydrating hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants that protect the skin.
Best Moisturizer for Normal to Dry Skin
Best Paula’s Choice Moisturizer for Normal, Sensitive, and Dry Skin
Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Replenishing Moisturizer
This creamy moisturizer provides the deep hydration that drier skin types need. It also contains replenishing ingredients that fight the signs of aging and improve the skin’s texture.
This moisturizer contains a beneficial blend ingredients that deeply hydrate the skin to soften and smooth. Since it also contains antioxidants and other anti-aging ingredients, it is a great choice for those concerned with reducing and preventing the signs of aging.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Soothing
Cons
- No SPF for daytime use
One of the main ingredients is hyaluronic acid, which attracts moisture to the skin[1]. It also contains moisturizing evening primrose oil, a non-fragrant plant oil containing antioxidants.
Best Serum
Best Paula’s Choice Serum
Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster
The 15% concentration of pure vitamin C in this serum helps brighten the skin while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
This lightweight serum is one of the best Paula’s Choice products, as it contains a powerful concentration of vitamin C, which evens out and brightens the skin tone. It also contains ingredients that hydrate and soothe the skin.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Lightweight
- Non-greasy
Cons
- May irritate more sensitive skin types
In addition to vitamin C, this serum contains ferulic acid and vitamin E. These antioxidants protect the skin, and are also known to increase the efficacy of vitamin C[4].
Best Anti-Aging Treatment
Best Paula’s Choice Treatment for Wrinkles
Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment
This treatment combines retinol, a powerful anti-aging ingredient, with hydrating and brightening ingredients for an even, smooth skin tone.
Retinol is the gold-standard for fighting signs of aging, so this is an excellent choice for those with wrinkles, fine lines, and sun spots[5]. The addition of soothing and hydrating ingredients helps counteract some of the potential irritating side effects of retinol.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Lightweight
- Non-greasy
Cons
- May irritate more sensitive skin types
This serum contains vitamin C, which brightens the skin, as well as licorice extract and oat extract, which soothe and calm redness.
Best Acne Treatment
Best Paula’s Choice Treatment for Acne
Paula’s Choice Clear Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide
The 2.5% concentration of benzoyl peroxide helps fight current breakouts while preventing new acne from forming.
This is one of the best Paula’s Choice products for acne, because benzoyl peroxide is a highly effective acne-fighting ingredient. It kills acne-causing bacteria on the skin, and also gets rid of excess oil and pore-clogging dead skin cells[6].
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Lightweight
- Non-greasy
- Oil-free
Cons
- May irritate more sensitive skin types
This treatment also includes soothing and hydrating ingredients, including allantoin and bisabolol. These additional ingredients help calm redness and minimize drying from the benzoyl peroxide.
Best Exfoliant for Acne and Blackheads
Best Paula’s Choice Exfoliant for Acne and Blackheads
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
This cult-favorite product contains salicylic acid, a chemical exfoliator that gently exfoliates dead skin cells and unclogs pores for a clear complexion.
This is a best seller at Paula’s Choice, and for a good reason. Salicylic acid (a beta-hydroxy acid, or BHA) is an excellent chemical exfoliator that sheds excess skin cells and decongests pores to fight acne and blackheads and promote a more even skin tone[7].
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Lightweight
- Non-greasy
Cons
- May irritate more sensitive skin types
This product also contains green tea, which soothes irritation and provides anti-aging benefits.
Best for Hyperpigmentation
Best Paula’s Choice Product for Hyperpigmentation
Paula’s Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster
The combination of azelaic acid and other brightening ingredients makes this booster one of the best Paula’s Choice products for hyperpigmentation.
Azelaic acid has been shown to fade hyperpigmentation, making this booster a great choice for those with dark marks[8]. It is also an excellent ingredient for smoothing the skin.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Oil-free
- Lightweight
Cons
- May irritate more sensitive skin types
This booster contains salicylic acid, which exfoliates and further helps even out the skin tone. It also contains licorice root, which calms redness and brightens.
Best for Redness
Best Paula’s Choice Product for Redness
Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster
This super light niacinamide product helps reduce redness while also minimizing the appearance of pores, smoothing the skin, and brightening.
Calming niacinamide helps reduce inflammation, which in turn can minimize redness in the skin. However, it’s important to note that users should patch test niacinamide first. Some people are sensitive to niacinamide, and it may make acne or flushing worse.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Oil-free
- Lightweight
Cons
- May cause flushing in those sensitive to niacinamide (patch test prior to using)
In addition to the niacinamide, this booster contains allantoin and licorice extract, which further calm the skin. It also contains vitamin C, which brightens.
Best Exfoliant for Anti-Aging/Wrinkles
Best Paula’s Choice Exfoliant for Anti-Aging and Wrinkles
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant
This gel exfoliant contains glycolic acid (an alpha-hydroxy acid, or AHA), a chemical exfoliator that sheds dead skin cells to reveal smooth, younger looking skin.
AHAs like glycolic acid are commonly used to reduce the signs of aging, including wrinkles[9]. This gel exfoliant contains an effective 8% concentration of glycolic acid, along with other soothing ingredients.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Lightweight
Cons
- May irritate more sensitive skin
In addition to the glycolic acid, this exfoliator contains soothing and hydrating ingredients, including chamomile, aloe, and green tea.
Best Face Sunscreen
Best Paula’s Choice Sunscreen for the Face
Paula’s Choice Resist Super Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30
This lightweight, tinted product uses mineral sunscreen to protect the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Sunscreen is a crucial part of any skincare routine, and this option effectively protects against UV rays. It contains mineral sunscreen (instead of chemical sunscreen), which is particularly beneficial for sensitive skin.
Pros
- Matte finish
- Lightweight
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Some reviewers noted it leaves a white cast
This sunscreen contains bisabolol and willow bark extract, which calm the skin and alleviate redness. It also contains a blend of antioxidants to further protect against environmental aggressors.
FAQ
What are the best Paula’s Choice products?
The most loved products in the Paula’s Choice line include the Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, the Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser, the C15 Super Booster, and the Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant.
Is Paula’s Choice worth the money?
While Paula’s Choice isn’t one of the cheapest skincare brands, their products are some of the best you’ll find on the market. Paula’s Choice products are backed by science and research to ensure they deliver results. They’re also cruelty-free and fragrance-free, and only use safe natural and synthetic ingredients.
Is Paula’s Choice natural?
The majority of Paula’s Choice products do contain some natural skincare ingredients. However, they also use safe and effective synthetic ingredients.
The Bottom Line
Whether you're dealing with blackheads, wrinkles, dull skin, or any other skin concerns, Paula’s Choice has effective products that will address your needs. Incorporate the best Paula’s Choice products for your skin type and concerns into your routine for healthy, even-toned skin.