Paula's Choice (ポーラチョイス) WATER-INFUSING ELECTROLYTE MOISTURIZER

Ingredients overview

Label order. Colour is our internal rating: green routine, yellow restricted or worth a look, red prohibited or high-risk, grey not yet decoded.

Ingredients are listed in label order; the order reflects the label only, not exact concentrations.

1. Water
2. Dimethicone
3. Butylene Glycol
4. Propanediol
5. Stearic Acid
6. Glyceryl Stearate
7. Isohexadecane
8. Potassium PCA
9. Magnesium pca
10. Calcium PCA
11. Ethylhexyl Olivate
12. Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
13. Laminaria Saccharina Extract
14. Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
15. Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
16. Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract
17. Prunus Serotina Fruit Extract
18. Squalane
19. Ceramide EOP
20. Ceramide AP
21. Ceramide NP
22. Pisum Sativum Extract
23. Phytosphingosine
24. Cholesterol
25. Acetyl Hexapeptide-37
26. Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
27. Tocopherol
28. Creatine
29. Bisabolol
30. Sorbitol
31. Inositol
32. Xylitol
33. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
34. Sodium levulinate
35. Behenyl behenate
36. Tribehenin
37. Sodium lauroyl lactylate
38. Xanthan Gum
39. Carbomer
40. Sodium Hydroxide
41. Tetrasodium EDTA
42. Phenoxyethanol
43. Ethylhexylglycerin

Highlights

Free of alcoholFree of fragranceFree of parabensFree of sulfatesFree of essential oilsFree of formaldehyde releasersContains siliconesContains mineral oilContains animal-derived

Key ingredients

ANTIPLAQUE

Water

ANTIFOAMING

Dimethicone

HUMECTANT

Butylene GlycolPotassium PCA

SOLVENT

Propanediol

CLEANSING

Stearic Acid

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

Glyceryl StearateIsohexadecane

Other ingredients

Magnesium pcaCalcium PCAEthylhexyl OlivatePyrus Malus Fruit ExtractLaminaria Saccharina ExtractActinidia Chinensis Fruit ExtractCoffea Arabica Seed ExtractGarcinia Mangostana Peel ExtractPrunus Serotina Fruit ExtractSqualaneCeramide EOPCeramide APCeramide NPPisum Sativum ExtractPhytosphingosineCholesterolAcetyl Hexapeptide-37Oryza Sativa Bran ExtractTocopherolCreatineBisabololSorbitolInositolXylitolCaprylic/Capric TriglycerideSodium levulinateBehenyl behenateTribeheninSodium lauroyl lactylateXanthan GumCarbomerSodium HydroxideTetrasodium EDTAPhenoxyethanolEthylhexylglycerin

Skim through

Ingredients explained

Water

Primary solvent and base; requires preservative system to prevent microbial growth

Dimethicone

Silicone occlusive at 1–5%; provides smooth feel, non-penetrating, suitable for sensitive skin

Butylene Glycol

Polyol humectant and solvent at 1–5%; aids solubilization, light feel

Propanediol

Polyol solvent at 1–5%; light feel, aids solubilization, propylene glycol alternative

Stearic Acid

Fatty acid emulsifier, white waxy solid; adds slip feel

Glyceryl Stearate

Emulsifier at 1-3%; may require acid to prevent saponification

Isohexadecane

Lightweight mineral-oil-derived emollient and solvent; low viscosity, non-comedogenic, improves texture

Potassium PCA

Potassium PCA, hygroscopic humectant, typical 1-2%; boosts hydration and mild chelation.

Magnesium pca

Magnesium PCA; chelator and humectant with synergistic Mg/PCA action; low irritation, water-soluble.

Calcium PCA

Not decoded yet

Ethylhexyl Olivate

Oleate ester emollient; light feel, high comedogenic rating, limit for acne-prone skin.

Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract

Apple fruit extract, polyphenols for conditioning and antioxidant; batch variation needs standardization

Laminaria Saccharina Extract

Seaweed-derived hydrating skin protectant rich in polysaccharides; filter to prevent microbial contamination

Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract

Botanical extract used as a skin conditioning agent

Coffea Arabica Seed Extract

Coffee extract for skin conditioning/antioxidants; contains caffeine, watch sensitivity.

Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract

Mangosteen peel extract, rich in polyphenols/alpha-gallic acid; antioxidant/skin conditioning, monitor for color changes.

Prunus Serotina Fruit Extract

Not decoded yet

Squalane

Emollient from plants or synthetic; light texture

Ceramide EOP

Ceramide EOP, repairs skin barrier lipids; often blended with cholesterol and fatty acids.

Ceramide AP

Ceramide analog for barrier repair; best results when combined with cholesterol and free fatty acids

Ceramide NP

Ceramide N3 for barrier repair; lipophilic, needs oil phase or emulsion, avoid high standalone use.

Pisum Sativum Extract

Pea extract, protein/antioxidant; skin protecting/conditioning, water-soluble, watch stability in acidic/enzymatic systems.

Phytosphingosine

Phytosphingosine barrier repair ingredient, 0.1–1%; water-soluble, good for dry skin.

Cholesterol

Cholesterol; barrier repair lipid mimicking stratum corneum; often blended with ceramides, plant or fermentation source.

Acetyl Hexapeptide-37

Acetyl Hexapeptide-37; peptide active for skin appearance and firmness. Control concentration for stability; protect with antioxidant system.

Oryza Sativa Bran Extract

Rice bran extract rich in vitamins; moisturizing and soothing, generally well-tolerated.

Tocopherol

Natural antioxidant (vitamin E) at 0.1–1%; prone to oxidation, store protected from light

Creatine

Skin conditioning agent for moisturizing and anti-aging; used at low concentrations, generally well-tolerated by sensitive skin.

Bisabolol

Soothing and anti-inflammatory agent, 0.01–0.1%; low irritation, good for sensitive skin.

Sorbitol

Polyol humectant with strong hygroscopy; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives; also a solvent or adjuster.

Inositol

Humectant at 0.5–2%; gentle moisturizing, suitable for sensitive skin

Xylitol

Polyol humectant, sweet taste; water-soluble, high hygroscopy, excess draws moisture.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Light occlusive and solvent at 1–10%; non-greasy feel, suitable for oily and combination skin

Sodium levulinate

Sodium levulinate, natural-derived humectant; generally mild, often used in blends.

Behenyl behenate

Behenyl behenate, a long-chain diester providing silky feel and occlusion; waxy solid at room temperature.

Tribehenin

Waxy emollient providing slip; prone to oxidation, needs antioxidant system; good for dry skin.

Sodium lauroyl lactylate

Mild emulsifier at 1–5%; suitable for sensitive skin, mind cationic surfactant compatibility

Xanthan Gum

Natural thickener at 0.1–1%; provides gel texture, pH-stable, requires full hydration

Carbomer

Gelling thickener requiring neutralization; watch out for ion compatibility

Sodium Hydroxide

Strong base neutralizer for pH adjustment; handle with extreme care

Tetrasodium EDTA

Chelator removing metal ions to enhance antioxidant and preservative efficacy; very low usage, typically 0.05-0.1%, no direct skincare function.

Phenoxyethanol

Broad-spectrum preservative at ≤1%; may irritate sensitive eye areas, often paired with ethylhexylglycerin

Ethylhexylglycerin

Mild conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–1%; reduces preservative load, smooth feel