What’s the best Paula’s Choice moisturizer for oily skin?
Like, it’s true that no size fits all and that even people with the same skin type can have different needs but… 11 moisturisers?!
How the heck are you supposed to pick the right one for YOU? Do you go with SPF or not? Lotion or gel? And is it better to have niacinamide or antioxidants?
Arrgh! Do you feel a headache coming too?
Fret not. Here’s the complete guide to ALL Paula’s Choice moisturizers for oily skin so you can easily choose the best one for your needs:
WARNING! The labels of Paula’s Choice moisturisers with SPF can be misleading. These are actually moisturising sunscreens and should be used as such. Always apply a 1/4 of a teaspoon – anything less and you won’t get the full SPF stated on the label.
- Paula’s Choice Calm Redness Relief Moisturizer For Normal To Oily Skin ($29.00)
- Paula’s Choice Calm Redness Relief SPF 30 Mineral Moisturizer For Normal To Oily Skin ($29.00)
- Paula’s Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer ($29.00)
- Paula’s Choice Clear Ultra-Light Daily Fluid SPF 30+ ($33.00)
- Paula’s Choice Hydralight Moisture Infusing Lotion ($21.75)
- Paula’s Choice Hydralight Shine-Free Mineral Complex SPF 30 ($29,00)
- Paula’s Choice Resist Anti-Aging Clear Skin Hydrator ($33.00)
- Paula’s Choice Resist Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 ($33.00)
- Paula’s Choice Resist Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50 ($33.00)
- Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Invisible Finish Moisture Gel ($29.00)
- Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Ultra Sheer Daily Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($29.00)
- Paula’s Choice Water-Infusing Electrolyte Moisturizer ($35.00)
- Paula’s Choice Probiotic Nutrient Moisturizer ($42.00)
Paula’s Choice Calm Redness Relief Moisturizer For Normal To Oily Skin ($29.00)
What it is: A lightweight moisturizer with soothing ingredients to calm down sensitive and/or rosacea-prone skin.
What it does: It provides light hydration, prevents wrinkles and soothes irritations.
Texture: Lightweight, a little siliconey lotion.
Who should use it: Oily skin that’s sensitive or prone to rosacea and irritations.
Who should NOT use it: Oily and dehydrated skin – it’s not moisturizing enough for you.
Available at: Paula’s Choice
Related: 9 Soothing Ingredients To Calm Down Irritated Skin
Struggling to put together a skincare routine that banishes excess oil, shine, and acne? Download your FREE “Best Skincare Routine For Oily Skin” cheat sheet to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):
Paula’s Choice Calm Redness Relief SPF 30 Mineral Moisturizer For Normal To Oily Skin ($29.00)
What it is: A lightweight, slightly moisturizing mineral sunscreen with antioxidants to protect skin from sun damage.
What it does: More of a sunscreen than a moisturizer, it provides broad spectrum protection, moisturises skin and prevents wrinkles – without leaving a white, greasy mess behind.
Texture: Lightweight lotion, leaves a matte finish.
Who should use it: Oily and sensitive skin looking for a sunscreen that doubles up as moisturizer.
Who should NOT use it: Anyone who doesn’t like mineral sunscreens.
Available at: Paula’s Choice and Selfridges
Related: Do Cosmetics With SPF Provide Adequate Sun Protection?
Paula’s Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer ($29.00)
What it is: A super lightweight moisturiser for blemish-prone skin.
What it does: It hydrates skin, heals dry and flaky patches, helps shrink pores and reduce redness.
Texture: Lightweight, yet super hydrating.
Who should use it: Oily skin that’s prone to acne and dry patches; oily skin that tends to get drier in winter.
Who should NOT use it: Anyone can use it. Just check the rest of this guide to make sure there aren’t better options for you.
Available at: Paula’s Choice
Related: Oily Skin? Here’s Why You Need An Oil-Free Moisturizer
Paula’s Choice Clear Ultra-Light Daily Fluid SPF 30+ ($33.00)
What it is: An oil-absorbing, super lightweight sunscreen + moisturiser to minimise pores and prevent wrinkles.
What it does: It lightly hydrates skin, absorbs excess oil, reduces the appearance of pores and prevents premature aging.
Texture: Very fluid and lightweight.
Who should use it: Very oily skin looking for a lightweight, broad-spectrum sunscreen that absorbs excess oil.
Who should NOT use it: Sensitive skin that can’t tolerate synthetic UV filters.
Available at: Feel Unique and Paula’s Choice
Related: All The UV Filters Used In Sunscreen: Which One Is The Best?
Paula’s Choice Hydralight Moisture Infusing Lotion ($21.75)
What it is: A lightweight moisturizer for oily and dehydrated or combination skin.
What it does: It moisturizes skin without leaving a greasy residue behind, treats dry patches and prevents wrinkles.
Texture: Very liquidy, has a matte finish.
Who should use it: Anyone with oily and dehydrated skin; combination skin looking to moisturize dry areas without clogging up oily areas.
Who should NOT use it: Anyone with very oily skin.
Available at: Paula’s Choice
Related: How To Care For Combination Skin
Paula’s Choice Hydralight Shine-Free Mineral Complex SPF 30 ($29,00)
What it is: A lightweight, moisturizing mineral sunscreen that prevents wrinkles and calms down irritations.
What it does: A hybrid between a sunscreen and moisturiser, it protects skin from UV damage and the premature aging it leads to. Plus, it lightly hydrates skin and reduces redness.
Texture: A lightweight lotion that can feel a little greasy and chalky on very oily skin.
Who should use it: Sensitive oily skin that’s prone to redness; sensitive oily skin that can’t tolerate synthetic UV filters.
Who should NOT use it: If you have very oily skin, this can be a little too heavy for you.
Available at: Paula’s Choice
Related: 9 Ways To Care For Sensitive Skin
Paula’s Choice Resist Anti-Aging Clear Skin Hydrator ($33.00)
What it is: A hydrating moisturizer with antioxidants and niacinamide to keep large pores and wrinkles at bay.
What it does: It hydrates skin, prevents wrinkles, makes large pores smaller and helps treat acne.
Texture: Gel-lotion texture, can feel a little heavy on very oily skin.
Who should use it: Oily, acne-prone skin and large pores; oily and dehydrated skin.
Who should NOT use it: If you have very oily skin, this may be a little too heavy for you.
Available at: Dermstore and Paula’s Choice
Related: Oily, Acne-Prone Skin? Here’s Why You Should Add Niacinamide To Your Skincare Routine
Paula’s Choice Resist Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 ($33.00)
What it is: A lightweight, tinted moisturizer with zinc oxide that protects skin from sun damage and prevents premature aging.
What it does: More of a sunscreen than a moisturizer, it provides broad spectrum protection from UV rays and prevents wrinkles and dark spots. The beige tint counteracts the white cast zinc oxide would otherwise leave behind.
Texture: Lightweight, leaves a matte finish.
Who should use it: Oily and sensitive skin that can’t tolerate synthetic UV filters; very oily skin that doesn’t need moisturizer – only sunscreen.
Who should NOT use it: Oily and dehydrated skin – this isn’t hydrating enough for you.
Available at: Feel Unique, Nordstrom and Paula’s Choice
Related: 3 Reasons Why Mineral Sunscreen Is Better For Sensitive Skin
Paula’s Choice Resist Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50 ($33.00)
What it is: A water-light moisturiser with SPF and literally every antioxidant under the sun to protect your skin from premature aging.
What it does: It packs a hydrating punch, prevents sun damage and protects you from UV rays (if you apply it generously)
Texture: Very lightweight and fluid (be careful when you squeeze it out of the tube!), it leaves a matte finish.
Who should use it: Very oily skin concerned with antiaging; oily skin looking for a 2-in-1 moisturizer and sunscreen.
Who should NOT use it: Sensitive skin – the synthetic UV filters may irritate it
Available at: Feel Unique, Paula’s Choice and Selfridges
Related: Chemical VS Physical Sunscreen: Which One Is Right For You?
Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Invisible Finish Moisture Gel ($29.00)
What it is: A lightweight moisturizer with antioxidants and niacinamide to fights wrinkles and large pores.
What it does: It moisturizes skin, prevent premature wrinkles and shrink large pores.
Texture: Lightweight gel, leaves a matte finish.
Who should use it: Young, oily skin who wants to prevent premature aging.
Who should NOT use it: Anyone who doesn’t like a gel texture.
Available at: Dermstore, Nordstrom and Paula’s Choice
Related: 3 Science-Backed Ways To Shrink Large Pores
Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Ultra Sheer Daily Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($29.00)
What it is: A lightweight oil absorbing moisturiser that helps prevent premature aging.
What it does: It absorbs excess oil, hydrates skin and protects from sun damage that leads to premature aging.
Texture: Lightweight and non-greasy.
Who should use it: Anyone looking for a moisturizing sunscreen that absorbs excess oil.
Who should NOT use it: Sensitive skin that can’t tolerate synthetic UV filters.
Available at: Paula’s Choice
Related: Does Oily Skin Need A Moisturizer?
Paula’s Choice Water-Infusing Electrolyte Moisturizer ($35.00)
What it is: A weightless moisturiser for dull, dehydrated skin.
What it does: It hydrates skin, plumps it up, and gives it a lovely glow.
Texture: Lightweight and fast-absorbing.
Who should use it: Dehydrated oily skin.
Who should NOT use it: If your skin isn’t dehydrated, some of the other options in this guide may be better for you.
Available at: Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Feel Unique, and Paula’s Choice
Related: How To Treat Dehydrated Skin
Paula’s Choice Probiotic Nutrient Moisturizer ($42.00)
What it is: A soothing moisturiser to maintain the health of your skin’s microbiome.
What it does: It moisturises skin and soothes irritations.
Texture: Lightweight, gel-cream texture.
Who should use it: Oily and sensitive skin that gets irritated easily.
Who should NOT use it: If your skin isn’t sensitive, there may be better options for your skin on this list.
Available at: Dermstore and Paula’s Choice
Related: The Truth About Probiotics In Skincare: Do They Work?
I hope this guide has helped you choose the best Paula’s Choice moisturiser for YOUR oily skin and the unique concerns it has.
