Image: paulaschoice.com
Paula's Choice
Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer
A face moisturizer built around Vitamin C derivative and Vitamin C, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 50.40 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · on the brand's site
From the brand
What the brand says about this product. Our ingredient analysis follows below.
The brand recommends it for
- Fine lines & wrinkles
- Dryness & dehydration
- Dullness
How to use
At night, use as the last step in your skin care routine. For daytime, follow with a broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 30 or greater. Note : This anti-aging moisturizer contains a stronger, highly focused mix of anti-aging ingredients, including several forms of vitamin C and retinol. For best results, do not apply at the same time as other vitamin C or retinol products until you see how your skin responds. If you experience signs of sensitivity, reduce frequency of use.
What's inside
Ingredients List
21 trigger at least one check · 25 trigger none
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin C derivative (stable)
- Acne Fighting
- Antioxidant
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Key Ingredients
Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Ceramide3
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.
Vitamin C derivative (stable)2
Stable derivatives of ascorbic acid.
Vitamin C2
Vitamin C in any form: an antioxidant and brightener.
Benefits
Hydrating10
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Ascorbate, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Squalane
Barrier Repair17
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cetyl Alcohol, Cholesterol, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Panthenol, Pongamia Glabra Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Extract, Sodium Polyacrylate, Squalane, Vitis Vinifera
Smoothing10
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cholesterol, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Retinol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Squalane
Brightening2
Restores radiance to dull, tired skin.
Dark Spots3
Fades dark spots for a more even tone.
Retinol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant6
Shields skin from free radical damage.
Glyceryl Ascorbate, Propyl Gallate, Punica Granatum Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate
Anti-Pollution9
Helps defend against airborne pollutants.
Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Ascorbate, Propyl Gallate, Punica Granatum Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vitis Vinifera
Concerns
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis19
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Behenic Acid, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide EOS, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Ceteareth-25, Cetyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-12 Glyceryl Dimyristate, Polysorbate 20, Pongamia Glabra Seed Oil, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Trideceth-6
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Ingredients Explained
Click on any ingredient to learn more about it
Water
Antiplaque, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Learn more about Water →Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate is a vitamin C derivative.
Learn more about Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate →Cetyl Alcohol
Emulsion Stabilising, Fragrance, Opacifying, Emollient, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Controlling
Cetyl Alcohol isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetyl Alcohol →Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate is the diester of neopentyl glycol and heptanoic acid. It conforms to the formula
Learn more about Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate →Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
Cleansing, Emulsifying
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Potassium Cetyl Phosphate →Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient, Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate →PEG-100 Stearate
Cleansing
PEG-100 Stearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-100 Stearate →Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →PEG-12 Glyceryl Dimyristate
Skin Conditioning
PEG-12 Glyceryl Dimyristate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-12 Glyceryl Dimyristate →Dimethicone
Antifoaming, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Skin Protecting
Dimethicone is a silicone.
Learn more about Dimethicone →