Smoothing Primer Serum SPF 30
The Paula's Choice Smoothing Primer Serum SPF 30 is a misc. Our analysis of its 21 ingredients (17 low-risk) rates it Excellent (91/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone and dry skin.
The Paula's Choice Smoothing Primer Serum SPF 30 is a misc. Our analysis of its 21 ingredients (17 low-risk) rates it Excellent (91/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone and dry skin.
Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.
The evidence
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
(Antioxidant, Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Perfuming) |
|
|
|
|
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
(Viscosity Controlling) |
|
|
|
|
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
(Skin Protecting) |
|
|
|
|
Butyloctyl Salicylate
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Solvent) |
|
|
|
|
Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract
(Proprietary, Skin Conditioning) |
|
|
|
|
Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning Agent Occlusive, Perfuming) |
Good for Sensitive Skin
Good for Dry Skin
|
|
|
|
Isododecane
(Fragrance, Solvent, Emollient, Perfuming) |
|
|
|
|
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
(Emollient, Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning, Solvent) |
|
|
|
|
Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Seed Extract | |
|
|
|
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
(Skin Conditioning) |
|
|
|
|
Polysilicone-11
(Film Forming) |
|
|
|
|
Physalis Angulata Extract
(Skin Protecting) |
|
|
|
|
Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A) |
Good for Dry Skin
Fungal Acne Trigger
|
|
|
|
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
(Uv Absorber, Uv Filter) |
|
|
|
|
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
(Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent, Emollient, Humectant, Masking, Oral Care Agent, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Tonic, Uv Absorber) |
Good for Oily Skin
|
|
|
|
Cinoxate
(Sunscreen Agent, Uv Absorber) |
|
|
|
|
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
(Uv Absorber, Uv Filter) |
|
|
|
|
Homosalate
(Fragrance, Sunscreen Agent, Uv Absorber, Skin Conditioning, Uv Filter) |
|
|
|
|
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
(Emollient, Humectant, Oral Care Agent, Skin Conditioning) |
Good for Sensitive Skin
|
|
|
|
Calluna Vulgaris Flower Extract
(Skin Conditioning) |
|
|
|
|
(-)-alpha-isabolol |
No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.
EWG flags hazard, not real-world risk — ratings don't account for how much of an ingredient a product contains. Treat these as things to research, not verdicts. How we score →
How to use
General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.
Trust & honesty
Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.
Topical retinoids (retinol, retinaldehyde, retinyl esters) are widely advised against in pregnancy as a precaution. The strongest evidence is for ORAL retinoids; topical absorption is low, but most clinicians err on the side of caution.
This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy guidance varies and depends on concentration and your individual situation — always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist. How we flag this.
The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.
Most studied between 0.1% and 1%. Higher is not automatically better — irritation climbs with dose, so a well-formulated lower strength is often the sweet spot.
Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A)
INCI lists don't disclose amounts, and we don't claim to know this product's levels — these are the ranges these ingredients are usually effective at, so you can tell a real formula from "fairy-dusting" a marketed active. How we estimate this.
From the community
Used this product? Rate it in 10 seconds
Alternatives