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

Paula’s Choice Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser Cult favorite

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.

Skin types: Normal, Combination, and Oily Skin
Best for: Daily Cleansing
Tested on animals: No
How to use: First, wet the skin with lukewarm water. Dispense the cleanser into your palms, and then gently massage into the skin. Rinse with lukewarm water.
See on Amazon

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

Paula’s Choice Hydralight One Step Face Cleanser

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.

Skin types: Normal, Dry, and Sensitive Skin
Best for: Daily Cleansing
Tested on animals: No
How to use: First, wet the skin with lukewarm water. Dispense the cleanser into your palms, and then gently massage into the skin. Rinse with lukewarm water.
See on Amazon

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

Cult favorite

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.

Skin types: Normal, Combination, and Oily Skin
Best for: Daily Moisturization
Tested on animals: No
How to use: After cleansing and applying serums, gently massage the moisturizer over your face and neck.
See on Amazon

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.

Skin types: Normal, Dry, and Sensitive Skin
Best for: Daily Moisturization
Tested on animals: No
How to use: After cleansing and applying serums, gently massage the moisturizer over your face and neck.
See on Amazon

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

Cult favorite

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.

Skin types: All Skin Types
Best for: Brightening and Fighting Signs of Aging
Tested on animals: No
How to use: Massage two to three drops of the serum into clean skin. Follow up with a moisturizer.
See on Amazon

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.

Skin types: All Skin Types
Best for: Reducing the Appearance of Wrinkles
Tested on animals: No
How to use: After cleansing, massage a pea-sized amount of the treatment into the skin. Initially, limit usage to three times a week to allow the skin to adjust.
See on Amazon

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

Paula’s Choice Clear Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide

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.

Skin types: All Skin Types
Best for: Diminishing Breakouts and Preventing New Acne
Tested on animals: No
How to use: After cleansing, apply the treatment to acne-prone areas. Follow up with a moisturizer.
See on Amazon

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

Cult favorite

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.

Skin types: All Skin Types
Best for: Gently Exfoliating and Preventing Breakouts
Tested on animals: No
How to use: After cleansing, soak a cotton pad with the product and swipe all over the face. Follow up with a moisturizer.
See on Amazon

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.

Skin types: All Skin Types
Best for: Fading Hyperpigmentation
Tested on animals: No
How to use: After cleansing, apply the booster to affected areas. Follow up with a moisturizer.
See on Amazon

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.

Skin types: All Skin Types
Best for: Reducing Redness
Tested on animals: No
How to use: After cleansing, apply the booster to the face. Follow up with a moisturizer.
See on Amazon

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

Cult favorite

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.

Skin types: All Skin Types
Best for: Exfoliating and Reducing the Signs of Aging
Tested on animals: No
How to use: After cleansing, apply a dime-sized amount of the gel all over the face. Follow up with a moisturizer.
See on Amazon

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

Paula’s Choice Resist Super Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30

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.

Skin types: All Skin Types
Best for: Sun Protection
Tested on animals: No
How to use: After applying a moisturizer, apply the sunscreen all over the face, neck, and chest.
See on Amazon

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.