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Paula’s Choice Hydralight Shine-Free Mineral Complex SPF 30 Review

ByCordelia

Paula's Choice Hydralight Shine-Free Mineral Complex SPF 30 Moisturizer Review

Recently I had the opportunity to try out the Paula’s Choice Hydralight Shine-Free Mineral Complex SPF 30 Moisturizer. It’s an all mineral based moisturizer with SPF, which is pretty cool.

PR sample.

The Website Says
Paula’s Choice Hydralight Shine-Free Daily Mineral Complex with SPF 30 with Antioxidants provides gentle, broad-spectrum mineral-based sun protection in a lightweight lotion that leaves a soft, powder-like, practically imperceptible finish. Its smooth texture applies easily and works beautifully around the eyes and under makeup. Soothing anti-irritants and antioxidants work to repair and strengthen skin so it looks and acts younger. With daily use, skin will resist and repair multiple signs of aging, while maintaining a shine-free appearance.

  • Effective for: Anti-Aging, Brown Spots, Extra Sensitive Skin, Redness, Rosacea, Wrinkles
  • Light lotion leaves a soft, matte finish
  • Great for sensitive skin and rosacea
  • Prevents signs of aging
  • Provides gentle, broad-spectrum mineral sun protection
  • Antioxidants provide further environmental defense and stimulate collagen production
  • Works beautifully under makeup—no need for foundation primer
  • Excellent for use around the eyes
  • Clinically proven non-irritating
  • 100% fragrance free, no added dyes
  • No animal testing

Price
$20.95 for 2 fl. oz.

Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 6%; Titanium Dioxide 2.32% (sunscreens).

Other Ingredients: Water, Ethylhexyl Palmitate (thickener),Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone (silicone slip agents and skin protectants), Polysorbate 80 (emulsifier), Caprylyl Methicone (emollient), Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate (emollient thickeners), C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate (emollient), Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer (film-forming agent), Isohexadecane (dry-finish solvent), Cetyl Alcohol (emollient), Propylene Glycol (moisture-binding agent), Polyglyceryl-6 Isostearate (emollient), Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract (antioxidant), Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract (anti-irritant),Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract (antioxidant), Algae Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (water-binding agents), Allantoin (anti-irritant), Glycerin, Panthenol (skin-repairing ingredients), Butylene Glycol (slip agent), Caprylyl Glycol (emollient), Alumina, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Polyhydroxystearic Acid (thickeners), Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone (skin-conditioning agent), Diethylhexyl Carbonate (emollient), Triethoxycaprylylsilane (silicone slip agent), Disodium EDTA (chelating agent), Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol (preservatives).

This moisturizer comes in nice packaging to keep it stable and to make it easy to get every last drop out of the container. I always appreciate that. You’re getting a good amount of product for the price, which is true with all Paula’s Choice products in my experience.

It is non-irritating to my sensitive skin. It doesn’t migrate into my eyes, which is a must for any moisturizer with SPF that I use. If it migrates, I can’t use it. It works well on its own and as a base for makeup, provided you give it enough time to dry. I would definitely consider it soothing on the skin.

The one thing that I really noticed with this moisturizer is that it seems to take a long time to dry down. As I apply my moisturizer very liberally, it felt like it took forever for it to sink into my skin. Once it did, it was fine. This isn’t my favorite of the Paula’s Choice Moisturizers. My favorite is really the RESIST Super-Light Daily Defense SPF 30.

Overall, I think you will love this product if you have very oily skin.

What’s your favorite Paula’s Choice Moisturizer?

Cordelia Frost is the creative force behind Phyrra, a treasure trove for cruelty-free indie and goth makeup enthusiasts. She's the author of the game-changing 'Hooded Eyes Makeup Manual' a must-read for hooded eyes makeup.

Cordelia's world is a kaleidoscope of alternative beauty, gothic fashion, and life-enhancing tips, making every visit to Phyrra a journey into a more colorful and inspired self.

4 Comments

  1. ladyandara sorry I didn’t see this until now, but thanks for the information. I’ve got a couple of new moisturizers with SPF that I’m testing out. Hopefully one of them will become HG for me. It’s one of those products that is so basic that I would love to find one that I can just stick with and be happy.

  2. beautybabbling – the texture with this one is really, really thick.  I agree with Pyrra, the dry-down time is very long.  It’s not my favorite moisturizer.  It’s not bad, I just don’t love it.

    I tried it out because I didn’t like how shiny the Skin Balancing Ultra-Sheer Daily SPF left my face, but that was the old formula.   I agree with you about the new formula, it’s really runny.  I used a sample the other day and was very surprised at how thin it was.  I’m going to keep searching the line, I’m bound to stumble across a great moisturizer some time.

  3. I believe this has the same formula as the now-discontinued RESIST Ultimate Anti-Aging Hand Cream. I checked the ingredients and they are identical.

  4. I picked up the Skin Balancing Ultra-Sheer Daily SPF this summer, and it is really runny and feels gritty when I apply it. I can use it, but I don’t like it. What’s the texture like with this one?

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