Paula’s Choice RESIST Cellular Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 25 Review
Recently I decided to give the Paula’s Choice moisturizers with SPF another try. I picked up the RESIST Cellular Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 25.
Paula’s Choice RESIST Cellular Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 25 Review
While I typically prefer my daytime moisturizer to be between 35-50, I know a lot of that is paranoia on my part. SPF 15 filters out 93% of UVB rays, SPF 30 filters out 97% and SPF 50 filters out 98%. So really SPF25 is adequate protection, even if I feel better seeing a higher number.
About Paula’s Choice RESIST Cellular Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 25
This ultra-gentle yet effective formula has a lightweight, silky-cream texture that hydrates and enhances radiance while providing extremely effective mineral-based, broad-spectrum sun protection. It includes potent antioxidants to defend your skin from environmental stressors, allowing the skin to repair itself on a cellular level, and restoring skin’s ability to resist further signs of aging. Used daily, this moisturizer will help reduce wrinkles and brown spots, while rebuilding collagen and improving skin tone.
- Fragrance free
- Colorant free
- Cruelty free
Price
$27 for 2 oz
Availability
Paula’s Choice, Dermstore, B-Glowing
Ingredients
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 8%; Other Ingredients: Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 8%; Other Ingredients: Water, Tribehenin PEG-20 Esters (skin conditioning agent/thickener), Cyclopentasiloxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate (silicone slip agents), Glycerin (skin-repairing ingredient), Caprylyl Methicone (skin conditioning agent), Stearic Acid, Squalane (emollients), Sodium Hyaluronate (skin-repairing ingredient), Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate (vitamin E/antioxidants), Ubiquinone, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract, Oryzanol, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Buddleja Davidii Extract (antioxidants), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (water-binding agent), Diisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate (emollient), Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer (silicone film-forming agent), Cetyl Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate (thickeners), Polyacrylamide (film-forming agent), Polyhydroxystearic Acid (thickener), Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate/Triethoxycaprylylsilane Crosspolymer (polymer-based texture enhancer), Triethoxycaprylylsilane Crosspolymer (binding agent), Laureth-7 (emulsifier), Thymus Vulgaris Extract (antioxidant), C13-14 Isoparaffin, Alumina (thickeners), Sodium Hydroxide (pH adjuster), Xanthan Gum (thickener), Disodium EDTA (chelating agent), Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol (preservatives).
My Thoughts
To begin with, I love that this does NOT irritate my eyes. Far too many moisturizers with SPF irritate and burn my eyes – either immediately upon application or within an hour of application. This does not.
I’ve been using this product for about three weeks so far. I love it on its own, and I also like to mix in the Paula’s Choice RESIST Super-Light Daily Defense SPF 30, which is tinted (and took dark for me on its own). I typically mix it 50/50. With a 50/50 mix, it matches my skintone nicely and provides enough coverage for me if my skin is behaving.
I really like the texture of this product. It applies smoothly. Makeup applies nicely on top of it, with or without a primer. It’s moisturizing without being too oily. Between my rosacea meds and working out, my skin has been on the dry side so I needed a moisturizer with SPF with a bit more moisture in it. This has really been doing the trick.
It has no scent that I can discern. It really is comfortable to wear. I love that it’s filled with antioxidants and that it’s supposed to help even out your skintone. I know it’s supposed to minimize wrinkles and brown spots, as well as help to rebuild collagen. I do feel like my skin looks brighter.
My only complaint is that this is not SPF 50, which I wish was the case. Again, I know it’s just I _feel_ better seeing the higher number, but that the difference between SPF 25 and SPF 50 is quite minimal, especially since I do reapply sunscreen during the day as needed (like if I go outside).
I really like RESIST Cellular Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 25 and it’s a moisturizer with SPF that I will repurchase.
What do you think of Paula’s Choice RESIST Cellular Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 25? Would you use it?
Want a chance to win some Paula’s Choice products? Enter my giveaway here!
Pros
- Cruelty free
- Vegan (see Paula’s Choice ingredients page)
- Fragrance free
- Great for sensitive skin
- Moisturizing
- Anti-aging benefits
- Good value for the price
Cons
- Only SPF 25
My aging issue is bags under my eyes rather than wrinkles. I have purchased way too many products, not one has made not one whit of difference. I know that these damn bags may very well be under my eyes forever but I am ever hopeful. Does anyone know of an eye cream that might help? Thanks.
Lisa
If a product doesn’t have a great rating from PC I won’t waste my $$ on it.
Love, love, love Paula’s Choice products. The Resist spf moisturizers are my holy grail products. No irritation to my rosacea and neither causes weird creasing under my concealer.
The two new products for oily skin sound very interesting. Glad you reviewed them.
I need to start using this. I live in Oregon and you would think it wouldn’t be that bad but the northwest has the highest skin cancer rate. I believe there is a hole in the ozone above us. Great review and will have to check it out.
I live in Seattle and people laugh at me for wearing sunscreen.
This is actually a great moisturizer with SPF. although you found it as a con that it only has SPF 25, I actually found this as a Pro because my skin can’t tolerate anything past SPF 30, so this is perfectly safe and great for my sensitive skin.
I tried a Paula’s Choice moisturizer with SPF in the past (not this one), and I really disliked it. This one sounds like a much better fit for me. I might have to try it when I need to replace my moisturizer. I usually go for SPF 30, but it doesn’t sound like there’s that much difference. Thanks for the review.
I use this and had the same thoughts as you. I wished it had a higher SPF. I know it’s only a slight difference but I just feel better when it’s a higher number. Otherwise, is a great sunscreen.
Excellent review – I also prefer SPF50 and find that moisturisers with SPF irritate my eyes, too. I use the PC Extra Care SPF50 sunscreen and one of her moisturisers but it would be so great to remove one of these steps by having a good moisturiser with SPF! I’ve not considered this one because it’s only 25 but maybe I should! Out of curiosity, when you’re wearing a full face (ie foundation, etc) how do you reapply sunscreen throughout the day without ruining the makeup? I’ve just been accepting that my face comes off when I have to reapply sunscreen as protection is more important that hiding my redness!
Love this! Perfect for the winter.
Why does all their stuff have to sound so incredibly wonderful? Lol
I would try this if it had no silicones. I wanted to order something from the website with free shipping and 15% off $50 but with their tax (why tax to Canada?!?) and their “brokerage fees” there is no difference. it sucks. I can order from iherb or asos or any website without tax and brokerage fees, PC should rethink their selling policies if they want more non american customers. I hope they are reading.
I use this one or the skin recovery one sometimes, but most of the time I just use their SunCare sunscreen for dry skin.
As a long-time Paula’s Choice devotee (I have very dry skin + rosacea), I also love this Resist moisturizer. However, I find that it makes my skin shiny (not in a glowy way). While a translucent powder manages the shine, I usually prefer Paula’s Skin Recovery Daily Lotion in SPF 30 with her antioxidant serum underneath. However, I’m always thrilled to see the love you show Paula’s Choice, Phyrra! It’s such an amazing line of products!
I am seriously thinking of giving Paula’s Choice products a try, this might just be my first one!
Love this spf moisturizer for my rosacea. I wish it had high spf but the whole “no irritation” is the best:)