Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

Paula's Choice Resist Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50 Versus CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum

Paula's Choice Resist Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50 Versus CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Resist Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50 versus CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum USA. This hybrid sunscr

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Paula's Choice Resist Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50 Versus CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Resist Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50 versus CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum USA. This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50. This smoothing serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Retinol to refine skin texture and fade the look of dark spots. Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2% Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5% Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5% Octocrylene 2% Water Glycerin Silica Dimethicone Tocopherol Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract Peucedanum Graveolens Extract Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract Avena Sativa Bran Extract Punica Granatum Extract Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract Hydrogenated Lecithin Titanium Dioxide Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer Xanthan Gum Sodium Carbomer Benzyl Alcohol Sodium Benzoate Potassium Sorbate Phenoxyethanol Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 2%, Water, Glycerin, Silica, Dimethicone, Tocopherol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Peucedanum Graveolens Extract, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Avena Sativa Bran Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Carbomer, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol Propanediol Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate Niacinamide Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Potassium Phosphate Ceramide NP Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP Carbomer Cetearyl Alcohol Behentrimonium Methosulfate Dimethiconol Lecithin Sodium Citrate Retinol Sodium Hyaluronate Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate Cholesterol Alcohol Isopropyl Myristate Caprylyl Glycol Citric Acid Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate Pentylene Glycol Phytosphingosine Polysorbate 20 Ethylhexylglycerin Water, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Niacinamide, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Dimethiconol, Lecithin, Sodium Citrate, Retinol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Pentylene Glycol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane. What it does: Dimethicone comes in different viscosities: Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties. Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity. This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient. Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy. 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. This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier. Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin. A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!). It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome. On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive. Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10). You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own. Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU. Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of