Paula’s Choice Resist Sunscreens Review

Applying sunscreen can protect your skin from premature aging and protect your acne from turning into pigmented little spots that can be difficult to get rid of.

However, acne-prone skin is most often oily skin, and sunscreens are notorious for creating that thick, greasy, and occlusive layer which makes many people avoid them at all costs.

Those thick, pharmacy-type sunscreens also leave a messy white or greyish cast on the skin, contribute to melting your makeup and make you look like a grease ball half throughout the day.

Finding the ideal sunscreen can be a real hassle, especially if these concerns are all too familiar for you, a fellow oily person.

For this article, I’m doing a Paula’s Choice Resist Sunscreens comparison review: two sunscreens that will protect your skin against the harmful sun rays, and they won’t leave your face oily, greasy, and white.

Paula’s Choice Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF30

The Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF30 is a lightly tinted moisturizer with a mineral-based formula and is marketed towards combo and oily skin types.

It has a slightly matte finish once it dries down and it is also packed with antioxidants that protect the skin from sun damage and strengthen its barrier.

Ingredients

This product has a slightly longer ingredient list than what I usually prefer my products to have, however, the ingredients are quite impressive.

There is a mix of soothing, antioxidant, protective, repairing, and hydrating ingredients.

Zinc oxide is the main ingredient that protects against sun damage and it is also a non-irritating agent suitable for all skin types and skin conditions.

The product also contains resveratrol which is an ingredient derived from the seed and skin of the red grape and it has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. 

Bisabolol is also on this list and this is one of the active parts of chamomile. It is a clear, oily fluid that’s famous for its potent anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. 

Additionally, epigallocatechin gallate (or simply said EGCG) is also present in this product. This ingredient is one of the active parts of green tea with fantastic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. 

Wow, Paula certainly isn’t joking when she says “This product is packed with antioxidants” and overall the entire ingredient list is very impressive.

Consistency

At first sight, the Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense looks like it has a thick consistency, which freaked me out a little, however, it gets diluted once you apply it on the skin and it’s really something in between being too thin and too thick.

It glides and spreads easily once applied and it quickly dries out with a matte finish. After a few short moments, it feels like there is nothing on the skin and I really like that.

It’s also non-sticky once fully dried, which is something I personally appreciate because I don’t want to accidentally remove my sunscreen if I touch my face.

This one doesn’t stick and once applied – it stays put.  Besides that, if you happen to accidentally remove some sunscreen, you will definitely notice it due to the tint and reapply if needed.

Scent

Like all Paula’s Choice products, this one doesn’t have added fragrance and there isn’t even a slight hint of something-something, unlike the BHA exfoliant that also doesn’t have added fragrance, but it has a slight medicinal smell.

Performance

The Resist Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF30 is one of those products that does what it says. Therefore, once it dries out it leaves the skin looking matte and it also adds a tiny bit of sheer coverage.

If you like to apply heavier makeup, you may very well use this as a primer as it mattifies the skin and sits incredibly well under foundation and powder. 

I don’t usually apply heavy makeup and this only is enough for me, however, when I want to add a little more coverage, I usually follow it up with Jane Iredale’s Mineral Pressed Foundation. 

This combo has been my go-to since I discovered both products a few months back and it always gets me through the day without having to blot or worry that my makeup will melt off my face. 

Where To Buy?

You can buy the Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense from the following websites:

• Amazon ($33)
• Paula’s Choice ($33)
• Paula’s Choice EU (€39)

Paula’s Choice Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF50

The Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid is a chemical sunscreen with a light consistency. It works by absorbing the UV rays, converting them into heat, and then releasing them from the body.

The water-light formula is the main reason everyone who has oily skin falls in love with this product as soon as they try it. 

Besides the slightly mattifying effect, the lightweight fluid also works to minimize the appearance of large pores and it helps prevent sun damage and premature signs of aging.

Ingredients

So the main ingredients that protect the skin from the sun rays are Avobenzone 2.0%, Octinoxate 7.50%, Octisalate 5.0%, Octocrylene 2.0%. 

But besides these ingredients, the product also contains titanium dioxide, a sun-protecting ingredient most commonly found in mineral sunscreens. 

Titanium Dioxide is a pretty awesome sunscreen agent that gives a nice broad spectrum coverage and it’s highly stable and mixes well with many other ingredients. 

Moreover, Titanium Dioxide has a great safety profile, it’s non-irritating, and is pretty much free from any health concerns. 

I have a full article on the differences between chemical and mineral sunscreens, so make sure to check that out for in-depth information. 

Additionally, the Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid contains plenty of hydrating and moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin, dimethicone, tocopherol (vitamin E), and several antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients such as chamomile flower extract, green tea extract, oat bran extract, and grapeseed extract. 

Consistency

The Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid has a very light consistency, so much so that it literally runs out of the bottle like water, so a useful tip is to press the tip of the tube against the skin and then squeeze gently.

Otherwise, if you apply it directly on your fingers or the back of your hand, it might drip everywhere and you may end up wasting product. 

Scent

The Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid doesn’t contain any added fragrance. However, once squeezed out of the bottle, you can notice a slight scent to it. 

It’s something that you usually notice in sunscreens and while it’s nowhere near the strength of traditional sunscreens, it lingers for a few seconds before it disappears completely. 

Performance

I knew I would love this sunscreen before I even bought it. Once it arrived at my door, it didn’t disappoint. 

The Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid is THE sunscreen for oily or acne-prone skin types.

This sunscreen has it all: high sun protection, doesn’t leave a greasy layer, is super lightweight, and doesn’t contain potentially clogging ingredients that may cause more acne. 

On the other hand, it is super hydrating and it won’t dry out the skin and cause it to produce more oil in an attempt to compensate for the lack of hydration.

Additionally, due to the slightly mattifying effect, the sunscreen sits incredibly well under makeup. However, make sure to always apply it at least 15-20 minutes before applying makeup.

But besides this, applying the Youth-Extending Fluid on top of your makeup is also a breeze and due to its light consistency, the product sets on the skin without disrupting your makeup. 

This way, you can reapply your sunscreen every 2-3 hours if you’re outside without worrying that your makeup will get ruined. It will actually mattify it and give your makeup a retouch while also protecting your skin.

Isn’t that perfect?

I rarely get disappointed by Paula’s Choice products (only one so far), however, if I had to choose a winner – this would probably be my product of choice. 

Where To Buy?

You can buy the Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF50 from the following websites:

• Amazon
• Paula’s Choice ($33)
• Paula’s Choice EU (€39)

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