Product Review: Paula’s Choice Cleanser

January 25, 2021

Many of you have asked me to review the products I use on myself, in my daily routine, or when trying a product to see if I would recommend it to clients. I hesitate to review products; just because I like or don’t like a particular product doesn’t mean that you will feel the same. Nor does it mean it is appropriate for your skin.

See… you and I have different skin, different sensitivities, different likes of smell, and texture, the list goes on. My review is not a traditional 1-5 star kind of a review but an analysis of what I think of the product and why.

My 1st official review is…

The Paula’s Choice RESIST Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser. 

I decided to review the Paula’s Choice Cleanser because I recommend many Paula’s Choice products to friends, family, and clients. I picked this cleanser up on a whim when purchasing product for my mom, so I have been trying this cleanser out of my own curiosity for something new.

 

This is how Paula’s Choice markets the product to us:

A gentle daily cleanser that helps balance moisture while removing makeup, impurities, and excess oil.

• Thoroughly and gently cleanses the skin
• Contains skin-restoring ingredients
• Unique pearlescent cream-to-foam formula
• Use as the first step in your AM/PM skincare routine

These are the “HERO” ingredients
(Hero ingredients are used in the formula to create the best results for the skin)

Hylauronic – retains moisture and plumps skin
Ceramides  – Restores moisture barrier, strengthen the skin’s surface
Aloe – Calms sensitivity, Soothes signs of redness

 

What I like about Paula’s Choice products is that they combine botanical ingredients with scientific formulations. I appreciate the company listing the benefits of each ingredient in the deck. I believe it makes it less confusing when sorting out what ingredients are “good”. I want my skincare to be safe and effective, to achieve that, I believe scientific formulations need to be implemented.

Let’s get to the good stuff.

Here is how I evaluated this cleanser.

The things I like:

• Price point – $19
• The spout makes it easy to pump.
• Only one pump is needed (more is too much for my face size).
• Feels clean without feeling tight 
• Removes my eye makeup completely 
• The bottle is a “1” so it can be recycled (yay for sustainability)
• It can be easily used in the shower (because of the pump, shower water didn’t get into the product)

The things I don’t like:

• I prefer my cleanser to be “Santa beard” foamy, this only foams a little bit
• Leaves a bit of a “film or residue” on my skin (which I can’t decide if I like or don’t like) 
• Collects residue at the spout opening so it has a coagulated bit of product hanging out which I never like 
• Because it’s a pump the pump gets dirty and dusty
  • I wipe it down to keep it clean but compared to a squeeze bottle it feels messy
• As it gets closer to empty, I will have to turn the bottle upside down and use my finger to extract the last of the product (rather than cutting open a tube and using a spatula to extract the last of the product)

 

Conclusion

I would say I like the product.

That being said, I won’t repurchase it, mostly because there is a big bad world of cleansers out there to try. But I will definitely place it on my “Recommend” list for my coaching clients who have oily or combination skin concerns. 

I totally understand that cleansing can be a challenge for your skincare routine. But it helps when you have a cleanser you really like to use. Here’s a tutorial I made last year about whether it’s ok to skip a cleanser now and then.

If you have questions regarding your personal products or need help with your home skincare routine, I offer a customized Skincare Coaching Program.

Simply Skincare Coaching is a unique 1:1 coaching program offering you a supportive environment, to assist you in your quest for youthful, healthy, and glowing skin. All the while being conscious and considerate of your lifestyle, budget, and personal skincare philosophy. 

 

If you have a particular product you would like me to review DM me or comment below with the name and I will consider adding it to my rotation. (Please note: I have oily, breakout-prone skin so I tend to avoid oil, balms, or ultra-creamy products.)

The link for the cleanser is not an affiliate link. I receive no compensation for reviewing this product. The opinions in this blog are mine and mine alone.