Paula's Choice Super Hydrate Overnight Mask

Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.

What it does:

This is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.

It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.

Chondrus Crispus Extract comes from a red algae native to the northern Atlantic coasts of Europe and North America. It helps hydrate the skin and is rich in antioxidants.

The antioxidants in chondrus crispus include lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein has the ability to filter blue light from screens.

Cloudberries are rich in vitamin C, citric acid, malic acid, vitamin C, and beta-carotene.

This is the extract of the Reishi mushroom.

The Reishi mushroom has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.

Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.

Topically, glycerin does several things at once:

This ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.

Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).

Hydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.

It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.

Pentapeptide-59 is a peptide.

Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract comes from the leaves of the Ginkgo tree. It has soothing and antioxidant properties.

The leaves of ginkgo contains flavonoids and terpenoids, potent antioxidants. Antioxidants may protect your skin from damage caused by external sources such as pollution.

We don't have a description for Terminalia Chebula Fruit Extract yet.

We don't have a description for Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide yet.

Lingonberries are little red berries from arctic region. They are a great source of antioxidants and have been shown to help soothe inflammation.

The red color of the berries indicate high polyphenol content, the source of its antioxidants. Antioxidants help soothe the skin and protect cells against oxidative damage.

Sambucus Nigra is known as the black elderberry.

Black Elderberry contains flavonoids, which are antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.

This ingredient comes from the "five-flavor" berry native to northeast Asia. It has skin conditioning properties and is rich in antioxidants.

In lab models, this ingredient displays antioxidant effects in keratinocytes (the main cells in the epidermis). Some studies also report tyrosinase inhibiting or skin brightening activity.

We don't have a description for Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract yet.

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.

One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.

This ingredient is also known as flaxseed oil or linseed oil. It is created by cold-pressing the seeds of the flax plant and is rich in fatty acids.

This oil is packed with omega-3 (ALA), omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids that closely mimic the skin's own natural lipid barrier. The high omega-3 content gives it solid anti-inflammatory properties.

We don't have a description for Pelvetia Canaliculata Extract yet.

Agastache Mexicana is a shrub from North America. All parts of this shrub contain antioxidants.

Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.

Betula Alba Juice is the sap from a birch tree named Betula Alba.

Sap from the Betula Alba tree can help sooth and protect the skin. Betula Alba Juice contains tannins and triterpenes. Tannins are an antioxidant that help fight against free-radical molecules. It is also an astringent and may help reduce pore size. Triterpenes have been shown to help heal wounds.

Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe. It can help to reduce redness.

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.

Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.

We don't have a description for Myristamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate yet.

This ingredient comes from a fatty acid (lauric acid) and amino acid (lysine). It is used to add a silky feel to cosmetics.

According to a manufacturer, its fatty acid base leaves a silky feeling on the skin. It also has emollient properties because of this. Emollients help soften skin by preventing water from evaporating.

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin. 

It’s often used to:

Phenoxyethanol 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 is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:

The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.