Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer Versus Paula's Choice Rescue & Repair Weightless Moisturizer
Updated on July 17, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain peptides
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer 35 ingredients
Paula's Choice Rescue & Repair Weightless Moisturizer 31 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer 35 ingredients
Paula's Choice Rescue & Repair Weightless Moisturizer 31 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthyl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol
SolventTriethylhexanoin
MaskingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Pumpkin Seedcake
Skin Protecting
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Prunus Serotina Fruit Extract
MaskingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Tripeptide-29
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
HumectantAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
EmollientArginine
Masking
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Isohexadecane
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Ethyl Macadamiate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Triethylhexanoin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root, Hydrolyzed Pumpkin Seedcake, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Prunus Serotina Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Tripeptide-29, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Adenosine, Lecithin, Arginine, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Isohexadecane, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningC13-16 Isoalkane
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventInulin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingGlycogen
HumectantLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingAlbatrellus Confluens Extract
HumectantOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningGalactoarabinan
Citric Acid
Buffering
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentSchizophyllan
HumectantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearic Acid, Triheptanoin, C13-16 Isoalkane, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Inulin, Glyceryl Stearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Squalane, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Allantoin, Sodium Phytate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Glycogen, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Albatrellus Confluens Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Galactoarabinan, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, Schizophyllan, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer 35 ingredients
Paula's Choice Rescue & Repair Weightless Moisturizer 31 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer 35 ingredients
Sticky :(
This is the best, and most unproblematic moisturiser I have used. It is hydrating, fragrance free, oil free, alcohol free. However, powerful enough to do what I need it to. My skin has been so much better since using this. I have been using it for around a year. I always come back to it, no matter what else I try.
Paula's Choice Rescue & Repair Weightless Moisturizer 31 ingredients
Absolutely awful product. Smells rancid, clog up your pores and make your skin oily within hours.
