Paula's Choice
Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum with Retinol
Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum with Retinol
Paula's Choice
skin-balancing-super-antioxidant-concentrate-serum-with-retinol
Serum
9818304774437
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Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Skin-renewing antioxidant serum
FEATURES
A skin-renewing antioxidant serum with an effective but gentle amount of retinol that helps develop a balanced-looking complexion while helping defend against environmental stressors.
BEST FOR
oily, combination, normal
CHECKS
Does not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, sulfates
Who Is It For?
AdultWhat Does It Help With?
Soothe Skin Unclog Congested Pores Wrinkles And Uneven Skin ToneBudget
Mid-range ($30-$75)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
Cyclopentasiloxane, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Crosspolymer, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Retinol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Astaxanthin, Bisabolol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Salix Alba Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Calluna Vulgaris Flower Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract, Betula Alba (Birch) Juice, Glycine Soja Oil, Silica, Phenoxyethanol
Key Ingredients
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Vitamin C, Grape Seed Extract, Antioxidant, Rubus Idaeus, Astaxanthin, Retinol, Cranberry Seed Extract, Bisabolol, Skin-Restoring Ingredients, Green Tea, Chamomile, Glycine Soja Oil, Vitamin A, Vitis Vinifera
Ingredients Details
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Common Name(s): Chamomilla recutita flower extract,botanical extract,phytochemical active
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides antioxidant protection from reactive oxygen species, reduces inflammatory cytokine production in skin, and conditions skin surface through the plant's secondary metabolite complex.
Why It's Used: Chosen for its natural origin narrative, traditional use heritage, and multi-functional phytochemical profile that supports several concurrent skin care claims from one ingredient.
How It Works: Polyphenols, terpenoids, and alkaloids in the extract scavenge ros via hydrogen atom transfer, inhibit nf-kb or cox-2 inflammatory pathways, and interact with skin surface proteins for conditioning.
Typically Found In: Botanical skin care,natural products
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ antioxidant
Secondary Functions: Free radical scavenging,anti-aging
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived extract or synthetic.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; well-tolerated.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Vitamin c,vitamin e,ferulic acid,spf,other antioxidants
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Plant secondary metabolites evolved as uv photoprotectants and antimicrobial agents โ mechanisms that directly translate to cosmetic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in human skin.
Last Verified: Cosing database,chamomilla recutita flower extract botanical review
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Cyclopentasiloxane
Common Name(s): Cyclopentasiloxane,cyclic volatile silicone,dry-touch carrier solvent
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides a dry, weightless application vehicle that evaporates cleanly leaving actives and non-volatile silicones deposited on skin โ eliminating the residual heaviness of conventional liquid carrier solvents.
Why It's Used: Cyclosiloxanes are the unique volatile silicone solvents that dissolve non-volatile silicones (dimethicone, cyclomethicone), organic uv filters, and lipophilic actives, providing the sensory-superior dry-touch application experience in premium formulations.
How It Works: Cyclosiloxane vapour pressure (d5 cyclopentasiloxane ~0.3 mmhg at 25ยฐc) provides clean evaporation at body temperature. the cyclic ring structure provides lower boiling point than equivalent linear dimethicone, enabling faster evaporation while the ring conformation maintains the silicone's low surface energy for smooth application.
Typically Found In: Primers,antiperspirants,sunscreens
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ emollient
Secondary Functions: Barrier sealing,softening
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%โ50%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived, synthetic or animal-derived. verify source.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 1/5 โ low; formulation-dependent
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Humectants,ceramides,actives as carrier
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Cyclopentasiloxane (d5) and cyclohexasiloxane (d6) are under eu regulatory review for potential environmental persistence (pbt assessment) โ formulators should monitor eu regulation 2018/35 implementation for restrictions in wash-off products.
Last Verified: Cosing database,eu cyclosiloxane regulatory review
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12