Product Haul! Paula's Choice: Skin Recovery

Ever since I started haunting the SkincareAddiction subreddit, I've been hearing about Paula's Choice. Her reviews of skincare and makeup are incredibly clinical about exactly how good a product is for your skin, and why. A lot of the things I have reviewed on here aren't reviewed very well on the Beautypedia section of her website, but the information that she gives in the product breakdown is vital to my opinion. I especially look to the website to see if there are any fragrances or other irritants in a product I am about to buy (much of the stuff I have reviewed so far I have gotten as gifts).

It was time that I take the plunge and actually get some of her products!

The site recommended to me the Skin Recovery line, which is formulated for dry/very dry skin, redness, and eczema. Bonus: a lot of the products in that line also are recommended for wrinkles. I'm starting to get some lines around my eyes and some smile lines, even though I'm only 24. Mom got smile lines around then, but I think the fine eye wrinkles are simply from dehydrated skin.

The entire line was a little more than I wanted to spend so soon after Christmas (and of course my boyfriend talked me into splitting a PlayStation 4 with him, so I was pretty broke), so even though it was a 5-step program of cleanser, toner, exfoliator, serum, and moisturizer, I ended up getting the cleanser, toner, and moisturizer to start with. There are two moisturizers in the line, one with sunscreen for the day, and one without for night. I got the night one, because I'm outside for maybe 3-4 minutes a day, and that's walking to and from my car. I have sunscreen for when I'm going to actually be outside 15+ minutes, but that's rare. With the three products, I got the free over $50 shipping, and I got to choose 3 samples. Here's what I got:

Paula's Choice - Skin Recovery: Softening Cream Cleanser

The first time I used this, it was like 3:00 in the afternoon, and I'd been wearing an occlusive (yay Albolene!) all day. It tore right through the grease, but didn't feel like much other than a lotion on my skin. This morning, I forgot to wash my face (when you have to be at work at 6am, some things get deprioritized), and by the time I got home, my skin was rough and flaking. I'm not gonna lie -- after I put on Aquaphor, I rubbed, and I rubbed, and I ended up tearing right into it. It's super super sensitive right now, like after a chemical peel gone wrong. The cleanser stung like all hell when I first rubbed it on. It cooled right off, though, and to be fair, everything stings when your skin is that raw. The fact that it was so forgiving on my worst, just-raked skin is huge.

I only had a little mascara and the tiniest touch of foundation on -- if you have some stubborn eye makeup, you might want to try a makeup remover first. On the site, it had a couple of reviews saying that they needed quite a bit to remove their makeup. The point of this line is to nourish, so there's no point in wasting that nourishment on trying to remove liquid liner and mascara.

Price: $16.00 for 8 oz.

Paula's Choice - Skin Recovery: Enriched Calming Toner

This stuff calmed my skin right down after I used the cleanser that second time. The only other toner I've used was the Rose Dew Toner by Annemarie Borlind, and that had alcohol as its second ingredient. The PA one wasn't astringent like the AB was at all. Alcohol is a huge irritant to skin, not to mention troublesome skin like mine. I remember that when I used the Rose Dew collection my skin was the best it had been yet, so the fact that this toner is actually moisturizing and not irritating is very encouraging.

Price: $18.00 for 6.4 oz.

Paula's Choice - Skin Recovery: Replenishing Moisturizer

This tube is small. It's small enough to take on airplanes. I was quite sparing in using this, though I definitely needed more moisture. The cream itself is nice; it feels quite thick and emollient going on, and it absorbs like a dream. That said, my skin drank it up and I put on a second coat, which it drank up... I ended up using a layer of Lierac face oil and then some of my Lierac Hydrachrono (that always makes me feel quenched). The first time I used it, I ended up putting all that extra stuff afterwards, and because I went ice skating afterwards, I needed more by the time I got home. The second time, I used my serum sample pack beforehand, and OH MAN did it make a difference. I put two coats on and felt quenched right away, though after about 10 minutes I put on another layer of cream, this time the Neutrogena Norwegian Formula. It feels more moisturized that it has in ages. My only complaint: the price for the money. I'm thinking I'll go lighter on this and use more of the Norwegian Formula for the moisturizer part of my routine, for the sake of my wallet. I do want to put this on, because of the nutrition that I'm not getting with the Norwegian Formula, but I can't put enough of this alone on to really feel quenched.

Price: $24.00 for 2 oz.

SAMPLES~

Paula's Choice - Clinical: Instant Calm Advanced Redness Relief

Man oh man, did this sample convince me to buy this. Because I am prone to allergies and colds, my upper lip, right under my nose, is very often bright red. I blow my nose, it flakes like crazy, and then all that's left is a hypersensitive red patch that makes me look like a rosaceous Hitler. Sometimes it even breaks the healthy skin, so it oozes a little. It's basically gorgeous. And that's not my only problem with redness. I work in a grocery store bakery, so half the time I am working next to a hot oven, and the other I'm in a deep freezer (kept at -10 degrees F - about 0 degrees F) getting items that we ship in. Either one of these would make someone a bit red, but with my sensitive skin? I'm tomato-red all the time at work. Some of that might be attributed to me wearing occlusives all day on my face so I don't start flaking, but as my skin has gotten worse the past year or so, I've definitely gotten redder. People will ask me if I've been out in the sun (ha! I'm a cave dweller) or if I'm okay. I'm all done with that, which is why I chose this sample.

I haven't tested this in the bakery field yet (though I'm hoping it'll at least help!), but I turned my beautiful, slightly sallow white almost immediately after I was done washing and moisturizing -- something that can take up to 30 minutes for me. I've used it twice, and I'm very hopeful. I'm going to buy the full size sometime soon.

Price: $18.00 for 4 oz.

Paula's Choice - Skin Recovery: Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum

I'm going to be honest. Even though I only got the barest of bones of the recommended set to begin with, I probably wouldn't have bought this unless I got the sample. Serums, for me, have tended to be watery, milky-looking liquids that I haven't really felt did too much. The most I ever liked a serum was a skin-smoothing serum meant for fine wrinkles that I used when I was just going into high school, and I was only using it because my mom bought it and it was in the bathroom. This was an extremely thick, yellowy, oily ooze. The second that it went on, I thought that this might be all the moisture that some people would even need. It hydrated to the point of radiance, on the spot. I won't lie, I was actually floored by the difference this made. The first time that I used the moisturizer in the line, it didn't do the trick. Nowhere near. After this, though, even my extraordinarily flaky, thirsty skin was sated with the moisturizer. I'm definitely going to end up getting this.

Price: $28.00 for 1 oz.

Paula's Choice - Moisture Boost: Hydrating Treatment Cream

I got this because I had a third sample that I could get for free with my >$50 purchase, and nothing else was really jumping out at me. I knew that the moisturizer I bought was only 2 oz, so I thought I'd supplement it with this. The Skin Recovery line is so nice, though, that I think I'll let this sample sit for a little while I pump some nutrients into my skin. When I end up trying it, I'll let you know.

The last skincare regimen I really followed was the Annemarie Borlind Rose Dew for Skin Hydration Line. I used it when I first entered high school, and I remember really liking it. I fell out of the regimen, though, and afterwards I couldn't find it anywhere (in those days, I had no credit cards, haha). Soon it fell out of mind. I do remember having increased hydration using that system, but looking at it now, I see all kinds of irritants that my skin wouldn't be able to handle. I've been having a poor couple of years, skin-wise, and I'm so ready to change that. The CeraVe system didn't really do enough for me, and I'm hoping that the intense nutrients that the PA's line has will make a serious difference. I'll give it time, but I'll definitely update with my results.

I'm fairly confident in my choice of line, due to the lack of fragrance and other irritants, the way that it goes onto my skin, the lack of intense red reaction I have to it, and their openness about their ingredients and what each of them do. It was founded by Paula, a woman who, initially, would go and review other skin care products, and evaluate them based on their ingredients and effectiveness. With all of her experience in what worked and didn't, she started this line. This makes me more confident than many "dermatologist-approved" brands, because dermatologists are educated in skin diseases, not the many ingredients that could irritate your skin. Every time I go to them, they have the same old recommendations, even though I've personally found better products. I don't want to use steroids unless I absolutely have to, because they're awful for your body, long-term. My hips have actually changed shape due to too many courses of oral steroids. They can't keep up with the ever-changing, ever-lying world of skin care these days, and that's why I decided to start this blog in the first place.

I'll be updating soon!

Time Tested Goodie: Sarna Sensitive Anti-Itch Lotion

During a particularly bad flareup, I was told by my allergist to try out this lotion. The Benadryl Anti-Itch lotion didn't do much for me, because my trigger at the time wasn't allergy related, it was stress combined with the changing of seasons. If the reason you're itchy is because of something you touched, breathed (such as pollen), or ate, I seriously urge you to try the Benadryl lotion out. It's not something I keep at my house, though, because that's not often the cause of my itchiness.

Sensitive Sarna Anti-Itch Lotion

This lotion claims to be moisturizing as well as stopping the itch. Well, when I'm itching bad enough to reach for this stuff, my skin is already raw enough that the little moisturizing that this does goes unnoticed. That said, I love this for when I'm painfully itchy. I won't go on vacations without it. The lotion is thin and watery, so it spreads very easily. This is a selling point to me, as I end up desperately squirting it into my hands and covering my face with it. It has a lovely, cooling sensation just seconds after it goes on your skin, which really helps cool the "burn" of the itch. If your skin is very raw, it can sting quite painfully for a few moments before the cooling really sets in. It's fast-acting enough that I feel markedly better after only 10 - 15 seconds of application, even if the first 5 - 6 are agonizing from the sting. This irritation is NOT from fragrance -- the Sensitive version is fragrance-free. It's also higher-strength than the original version, so I would recommend the sensitive version.

I've found that keeping this in the refrigerator (and no, it doesn't interfere with the medication -- I checked) really helps keep the stinging under control, and has the added effect of being cold when I slather it on. It's so, so nice.

Where to buy: Walmart, Walgreens, Rite-Aid, Target, Skinstore.com, Amazon.com, Drugstore.com

List Price: $10.49

Normal to Slightly Dry Skin: 1/5. This isn't for poison ivy or insect bites, which is probably what you would need this for. Use the original version instead for those things.

Very Dry, Flaky Skin: 5/5. Cools the itch very effectively.

Sensitive Skin: 5/5. Cools the itching from irritants while not being irritating itself. A must.

In My Closet: Lierac Paris Hydra-Chrono Intense Rehydration Balm

This is something my mother bought for me a long time ago. I haven't been using it as much lately, mostly because it's just expensive for such a small jar. Every time I'm able to get samples, though, I stock up on them.

Lierac Paris Hydra-Chrono Intense Rehydration Balm

This stuff comes in a luxurious, thick, slightly pink cream. It feels so gentle over the skin, and it hydrates amazingly. I don't even care that it seems to be for maturing skin - the hydration is fantastic. It contains a whole bunch of moisturizing plant oils, such as almond, coconut, shea, and apricot kernel. My only complaint is how much you get for the price -- it's such a small amount that I tend to be stingy when applying it to my face, so I end up needing a second coat of something else to seal the moisture in.

Where to buy: Walgreens, Amazon.com, Dermstore.com
List Price: $50.00

Normal to Slightly Dry Skin: 2/5. This is a heavy-duty product for a high price. Just not worth it if you don't need serious moisture.
Very Dry, Flaky Skin: 4/5. Still very expensive, but it makes good on its hydrating promise. The ingredients are also so good for your skin -- I don't use this as my only moisturizer, but occasional use has definitely nourished my face.
Sensitive Skin: 4/5. Doesn't sting at all, rather feels thick and velvety on raw and/or sensitive skin.

Time Tested Goodie: Stridex Maximum Strength

Every few months, I get some crazy, hormonal breakout. They're incredibly deep, and take up to a week to even come to a head. They hurt, and I get some serious swelling around them. Currently I have one on my left cheekbone (yay, beginning of the semester!), so I thought I'd share my one acne product.

Stridex Maximum Strength Pads (red box)

These are nice because they deliver 2% salicylic acid (a BHA, beta hydroxy acid), which is the highest over-the-counter concentration. The pads are just soaked with the liquid, and one box lasts quite a long time. I started buying these because my boyfriend has very persistent hormonal acne along with dehydrated, yet oily skin. These pads have helped him diminish his very prominent sebaceous filaments (often confused with blackheads), and, after a short detoxifying time, cleared his skin right up. He Stridex-es twice a day, and when I get a pimple, I'll use the pad right before him and just hold it on my pimple for a second. You can feel the liquid coming out of the pad, and you can feel it working for a short time afterwards. It's tingly, but not painful. Used twice a day, it helps my pimple come to a head much faster, and helps the blemish heal much faster. You should NOT pop pimples, but put a bandaid with antibacterial ointment or a hydrocolloid bandage over it during the night, which helps the pus be drawn out.

Something I didn't know when I used these for a short time when I was younger: You need to let the medication work for some time before washing/moisturizing your face. I would use this before washing, because it has detergent ingredients and menthol, which are irritants. I would give it at least five minutes, or until it feels like the liquid has dried and stopped tingling. Otherwise, the salicylic acid will be neutralized by the water/cleanser/moisturizer, and stop working.

Where to buy: Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Drugstore.com, Amazon.com

List Price: $6.29

Normal to slightly dry skin: 5/5. 

Time-Tested Goodie: Albolene Moisturizing Cleanser

I've been using this product for about two and a half years now, and I still am loving it. It was recommended to me by my acupuncturist (it was covered under my insurance, and I thought I'd try it out). I bought one tub that I keep mostly by my side (I keep it in my car when I'm out), and it's still going strong.

Albolene Moisturizing Cleanser

Claims: Removes makeup gently and effectively. Moisturizes. Help prevent dry, irritated skin.

Verdict: First of all, this is in a tub, which is somewhat unsanitary. It wouldn't be able to be dispensed in a tube, though, because of its consistency. To keep the tub sanitary, you'll have to use something to scoop out the Albolene. I use a fro-yo spoon. That said, I love this stuff. It was recommended to me as both a makeup remover and just a moisturizer. I put it on in the morning over my moisturizer to keep myself from flaking, I put it on at night to remove my makeup... It's great. It's a solid that tuns to liquid with your body temperature, so it doesn't feel as thick or greasy as Vaseline or Aquaphor. It's an occlusive layer -- something to keep moisture in and irritants out. Definitely something to keep if you have flaky, eczema-y skin, but don't only use this. It really only has paraffin and petrolatum in it; your skin needs emollients, antioxidants, and vitamins to be truly healthy. This is a great addition, but not something to replace your normal moisturizer with.

Where to buy: Amazon.com, Drugstore.com, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS

List price: $13.99

Normal to slightly dry skin: 3/5. You could use this as a moisturizing, gentle makeup remover, but there are so many on the market. Using this as a moisturizer would be greasy and probably feel uncomfortable.

Dry, Flaky Skin: 5/5. As I said, don't use this alone on your skin, though it is both a cleanser and moisturizer. Highly recommended, though, for de-flaking patches on the go, taking stubborn makeup off, and keeping skin soft and the moisture in.

Sensitive Skin: 5/5. This is the most effective, gentle, no-scrubbing-necessary makeup remover I've ever encountered. Even when it takes a little time, like with stubborn mascara or eyeliner, you just slather some on and leave it or massage lightly for a time. It comes right off with a tissue. I have been putting this on my face for so long now and never have I had a red, blotchy reaction. 

Just Acquired: Sebamed Moisturizing Body Lotion

I found this bottle of lotion in a box I hadn't yet unpacked from my move (even though it was like 5 months ago!), and I had just finished off my Curel Skin Nourishing Lotion (last post). I was ready for something more heavy-duty to make up for the lackluster moisturizing of the Curel, but I hate having greasy lotions. It looks pretty promising.

Sebamed Moisturizing Body Lotion for Sensitive Skin

Claims: Hypoallergenic, noncomodogenic, same pH as healthy skin (5.5), quickly absorbed, nongreasy, nonirritating. 

Verdict: It's definitely a light lotion, I'll give it that. I have had no problems with breakouts, and it seems gentle enough for my face. The pH thing is a big seller -- one of the things that I had to use as a teenager was a pH balancing prescription cream since my skin was always too alkaline. Once I'd used that for a while, I saw some serious improvements. This isn't quite as great, though it keeps moisture in much better than you'd expect for such a watery lotion. It does have fragrance, which is odd for a lotion specifically marketed at sensitive skin. It actually smells fairly strongly of perfume. It didn't bother my face or my arms, but my back gets seriously blotchy whenever I use it there.

Where to Buy: Sebamedusa.com, Walgreens, Drugstore.com, Amazon.com

List Price: $12.99

Slightly Dry to Normal Skin: 3/5. Absorbs quickly, nongreasy, won't clog pores, moisturizing. The smell can be unpleasant. There are cheaper options available.

Sensitive Skin: Your mileage may vary. It didn't bother my face, but bothered my drier shoulders and back.

Very Dry Skin: 2/5. Used right out of the shower, it feels like it locks moisture in. I haven't noticed any moisturizing effects when I use it on dry skin, though.

UPDATE: After using it for a little while, I can say that the moisturizing effect isn't as great as I thought. I'm left feeling tight and dry, though it helps deal with my flakiness. It may be a better product when combined with a body oil.

Empty: Curel Skin Nourishing Lotion

Hi guys! Winter is really in full-force here in New England. It's been about 20 degrees every day, and it's just so incredibly dry and windy. I have to have my humidifier going 24/7, otherwise my just-woke-up face is a horrifying flaky mess. I've been going through lotions and creams like crazy.

Curel Skin Nourishing Lotion

Claims: "Advanced Ceramide Therapy," which is supposed to hydrate the surface of the skin while giving nutrients to the skin that repair over time. Shea butter is supposed to soothe and smooth. Non greasy, noncomodogenic (won't clog pores), absorbs quickly, gentle enough for face.

Verdict: I bought this because I had the Itch Defense by Curel for a while, and while it didn't noticeably defend from itching, it was a good moisturizer. I'd throw a little on my face or hands at random points in the day, and it absorbed quickly and didn't feel greasy. I thought the Skin Nourishing would be more moisturizing, but it ended up stinging a little when I put it on (due to the amounts of eucalyptus, an irritant), and did little to keep my skin moisturized or nourished. The texture was nice, and it smelled a little of vanilla and honey (it's not actually fragranced; those are both ingredients that are supposed to be nourishing and/or moisturizing). I can't say that my skin feels nourished or moisturized at all after I've applied this. There are much better things out there.

Where to buy: Walmart, Walgreens, Target, Rite-Aid, Amazon.com, Drugstore.com.

List price: $8.49 (most of the above places are about $5.50)

Slightly dry - normal skin: 3/5. Smells nice, doesn't clog pores, lightly moisturizing. Good price.

Sensitive skin: 1/5. Stings due to the eucalyptus. Made me blotchy for a while after applying.

Very dry skin: 2/5. Might be an okay hand moisturizer during the summer. Otherwise, just doesn't have enough power.

About Me

I'm 23 years old, and I've been struggling with eczema my whole life. I've tried dozens and dozens of products, some better than others. I'm still on the hunt for the best products to help soothe my extremely dry, extremely flaky, extremely sensitive/red skin. I was looking around online for a skincare reviewer who had similar skin concerns, but the closest I got was "dry" or "mature" or "sensitive." None of those were quite, well... severe enough for me to have confidence that I'd have a similar experience.

I work in a bakery, so I'm either next to an oven or in a freezer for most of my day, and often go back and forth between them. The temperature changes are brutal on my skin, so I need something thick and emollient that will last me at least the 8 hours I'm at work. I don't want to have to reapply lotions and creams to my face all day at work. Basically, I'm looking for noncomodogenic, moisturizing, skin barrier repairing, gentle formulas that will help me battle itching, flaking, and the chronic dry tightness.

A lot of the things I'm going to review can be bought at drugstores or Walmart. I'm not exactly overloaded with cash, as I'm a part time college student who also works part time. As I go through the things I own, I'll post "Empties" posts, "Just Acquired" posts, "In My Closet" posts, and "Time-Tested Goodies," for products I like enough to repurchase.

Hope to see you soon!