Is Paula’s Choice Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 a moisturiser or a sunscreen?
As long as you’re applying the recommended amount to get the SPF stated on the bottle (1/3 of a teaspoon for the face and neck), it’s a sunscreen.
And it’s freaking phenomenal. I rarely praise a skincare product to the skies, but this is holy grail material. I lost count of how many tubes I went through. I just can’t imagine being without it. If Paula ever discontinues it, I’m screwed.
Here’s what makes it so special:
- What’s In Paula’s Choice Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30?
- Texture
- Fragrance
- How To Use It
- Performance & Personal Opinion
- Who Is This For?
- Who Is This NOT For?
- Packaging
- Does Paula’s Choice Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 Live Up To Its Claims?
- Price & Availability
- Do You Need It?
- Dupes & Alternatives
What’s In Paula’s Choice Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30?
ZINC OXIDE TO PROTECT SKIN FROM UV HARM
Zinc oxide is my fave UV filter. A white mineral, it protects – ON ITS OWN – from the entire UV range. Compare that to synthetic UV filters that protect from either UVA or UVB rays. No wonder you need 3+ to get the sun protection job done.
Zinc oxide is super gentle, too. Unlike synthetic UV filters, it doesn’t irritate sensitive skin. Heck, it’s so skin-friendly, even six months old babies can use it!
The catch? It tends to be thick and leave a white cast behind. I don’t know how they did it, but Paula’s Choice Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 has none of these issues.
It has the most lightweight texture I’ve ever come across in a product with zinc oxide. Plus, a sheer beige tint that neutralises the white cast. I’m blown away.
Related: 3 Reasons Why Mineral Sunscreen Is Better For Sensitive Skin
SILICONES TO ENHANCE TEXTURE
Don’t hate. Silicones aren’t the devils they’re made out to be.
For starters, it’s not true they suffocate your skin. You can’t suffocate something that doesn’t breathe (your skin doesn’t have lungs!).
Silicones create a protective barrier on the skin. But this barrier isn’t impenetrable. Due to their particular molecular structure, silicones leave gaps in between each molecule. This means your skin can still perspire, and active ingredients penetrate skin, through these gaps. Phew!
So, what are silicones doing in Paula’s Choice Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30? They give slip to the texture and make sure it glides oh-so-smoothly on your skin. Super important when you’re trying to layer foundation evenly.
Related: Are Silicones In Skincare Bad?
ANTIOXIDANTS TO FIGHT PREMATURE AGING
It wouldn’t be a Paula’s Choice’s product if it weren’t loaded with antioxidants to keep premature wrinkles at bay. Here are the highlights:
- Resveratrol: An antioxidant found in grapes, it destroys free radicals and prevents UVB-induced damage.
- Epigallocatechin Gallate: The antioxidant in green tea that neutralises free radicals, reduces inflammation and prevents UVB-induced damage.
- Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate: A new, oil-soluble Vitamin C derivative that penetrates skin deeper than all other forms. It fights free radicals, boosts collagen and brightens the complexion.
Related: Is Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate The Best Form Of Vitamin C?
Is your sunscreen up to the job? Download your FREE “Sunscreen Audit” to find out if your sunscreen is both safe AND effective:
Texture
Lightweight for a sunscreen with zinc oxide.
Fragrance
It’s fragrance-free.
How To Use It
It’s the last step of your morning skincare routine. Apply it generously on all exposed areas of skin and reapply as needed during the day.
Performance & Personal Opinion
You know all the reasons you avoid mineral sunscreens like the plague? They’re thick, greasy, leave a white cast behind that make you look like a corpse…
Paula’s Choice Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 is proof you can formulate a mineral sunscreen that has none of these drawbacks.
Its texture is so incredibly lightweight, you won’t believe there’s any drop of zinc oxide here, let alone 13%! It’s not as runny as that of Asian chemical sunscreens, I’ll give you that.
It’s more a very lightweight, non-greasy, silky lotion that spreads like a dream and dries to a matte finish.
The catch? This isn’t moisturising. I don’t know why Paula’s Choice calls it a moisturiser with SPF, when it barely provides any hydration even to oily skin!
If you’re oily, you can indeed just use this as 2-in-1 moisturiser and sunscreen in the AM and call it a day. Everyone else, layer your moisturiser and/or hyaluronic acid serum underneath.
What about the white cast? Paula’s Choice Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 has a sheer beige tint that works with most skin tones.
It doesn’t provide any coverage at all, so you’ll need foundation afterwards. But it does neutralise the white cast. If you don’t like to wear makeup, you can just use this without looking like you’ve just met a ghost!
The icing on the cake? It’s loaded with antioxidants that enhance sun protection and help keep wrinkles at bay for years to come.
You see now why I can’t live without it? If only all mineral sunscreens were so pleasant to use…
Who Is This For?
Anyone can use it, but it’s best suitable for oily and combination skin.
Who Is This NOT For?
If you have dry skin, you’ll need a separate moisturiser with this.
Packaging
A light blue tube. Sleek and practical.
Does Paula’s Choice Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| A lightly tinted mineral-based formula that protects skin from sun damage and fortifies it with state-of-the-art antioxidants. | True. |
| Prevents premature aging of skin. | True. |
| Boost skin’s environmental defenses. | True. |
| Silky texture leaves a soft matte finish. | True. |
Price & Availability
$33.00/£33.00 at Dermstore, Feel Unique, Nordstrom and Paula’s Choice
Do You Need It?
Yes! If you’re looking for a zinc oxide sunscreen that doesn’t leave a thick, white mess on your skin, this is a must try.
Dupes & Alternatives
Seriously, just try this sunscreen. I haven’t another mineral sunscreen I’d like to use more yet.
Ingredients
Zinc Oxide 13%,Water (Aqua), Cyclopentasiloxane, PEG-12 Dimethicone, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Lauroyl Lysine, Sodium Chloride, Trihydroxystearin, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Resveratrol, Quercetin, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Adenosine, Bisabolol, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Extract, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Polysorbate 80, Hydrated Silica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Iron Oxide (CI77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Phenoxyethanol.
This is my favourite sunscreen ever! Greetings from Portugal
Hello Gio !
I recently discovered the importance of using a sunscreen (shame on me I know !).
I ran to buy the first one available physically which was Clinique Superdefense.
So now I want to buy a “better” one and indeed Paula’s choice seems to have a great range of Sunscreen.
What I don’t understand is that all of them have extra ingredients. For example, the one you’re talking about has Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate so there is no need to use a vitamine C serum under…right ?
So it’s a real complete product, right ? or is the vitamin C quantity very low ? or should I use a vitamin C serum in the evening ?
~ Evenings are allready reserved for retinol and acids so I prefer to leave vitamin C for the morning.
Thank you for your answer !
Ambrea, you can use just the sunscreen if it has vitamin C. Antioxidants boost the effectiveness of your sunscreen, so that’s why Paula’s Choice puts plenty in them.
I was so excited to try this product but then noticed sodium chloride is the 6th you ingredient. If I have combo skin that’s acne prone is this a bad choice?
Fay, unless you’re allergic to it, you should be fine.