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| Calm Cleanser and Toner for Normal to Oily Skin |
I am really not a big fan of gel cleansers so when I saw that the cleanser from the Calm Collection has a gel formulation, I was a bit hesitant. However, to my surprise, the Calm Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin has a really nice texture! Although it's a gel, the cleanser doesn't feel icky and slimy on the face. In fact, it lathers quite well, leaving the skin feeling clean and refreshed without stripping away any moisture. The cleanser is formulated with a big list of skin-calming ingredients, including meadowfoam seed oil, burdock root extract, aloe juice, and marigold extract.
Calm Toner for Normal to Oily Skin ($20 CAD):
Formulated with oatmeal, sea whip extract, and boerhavia diffusa root extract (all of which have anti-inflammatory properties), the toner has a slightly medicinal smell. I am not a fan of the bottle design; the plastic is super stiff so I can't actually squeeze any product out. Instead, I have to shake out the toner, which makes things more troublesome and time-consuming. The formulation is slightly more viscous than water but it's lightweight and absorbs quickly. The toner gets bit lathery when I use it with a cotton pad, which feels strange on the skin. I didn't notice any dramatic reduction of redness but it's not really a deal breaker as it makes my skin feel nice and calmed.
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| Calm SPF 30 Mineral Moisturizer and Moisturizer for Normal to Oily Skin |
With zinc oxide and titanium oxide providing a physical sunscreen barrier, this is a daytime moisturizer with SPF 30. The formulation is a bit runny but applies nicely. Unlike the past SPF moisturizer from Paula's Choice I've tried, the Calm Mineral Moisturizer for Normal to Oily Skin didn't feel too greasy on the skin and it didn't make my skin extra shiny, which is a huge bonus. The product is infused with green tea, licorice, and aloe extracts for some extra nourishment.
Calm Moisturizer for Normal and Oily Skin ($28 CAD):
With licorice, willow herb, burdock root, green tea, algae, and grape seed extract, this is a silicone-based moisturizer recommended for day and night use. I know silicone is one of those love or hate ingredients and I personally am not a huge fan. Silicone-based creams and face products are great on the skin for a couple hours, providing instant shine and grease relief. In fact, if you only have mildly oily skin, silicone-based products do a great job at controlling shine. If you are like me, though, and get some serious grease in the T-zone, silicone doesn't work very well. As soon as the sebum compromises the matte barrier created by the silicones, my skin looks and feels greasy and cakey.
So with all of that said, I think this still could make a really nice moisturizer for those with normal to slightly oily skin. The moisturizer is lightweight and hydrating without feeling heavy or uncomfortable.
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| Calm 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant and Repairing Serum |
With hyaluronic acid and various nourishing extracts, this is a really lovely and fast-absorbing serum designed to reduce redness and provide hydration. Again, the formulation doesn't provide a noticeable reduction in redness around my nose and mouth area, but the serum feels calming on the skin and it's quite tightening as well, which is great for aging skin.
Calm 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant ($26 CAD):
Overall:
Although none of the products drastically reduced the redness I experience around my nose and mouth, they all felt really calming and nourishing. My picks from the collection are definitely the Calm Cleanser, SPF 30 Moisturizer, and Repairing Serum. The 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant is worth checking out as well if you are a fan of the original liquid BHA exfoliant.
Availability:
Paula's Choice Calm Collection is available online now. For a limited time, you can get 20% OFF + FREE Shipping with this link.
Calm 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant ($26 CAD):
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant has been a consistent bestseller for the brand so I think fans are going to love the release of this milder, 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant, formulated with 1% salicylic acid, allantoin, green tea, liquorice, and willow herb extract.
So unlike the liquid exfoliant, this lotion exfoliant has a lightweight, almost gel-like formulation that applies really evenly on the skin. I personally think the lotion formulation works better because it prevents over-application which occurs more easily when the exfoliant comes in a liquid form.
As I've mentioned before, I am hypersensitive to salicylic acid, which makes my skin super red, itchy, and flaky. So the highest concentration I can tolerate is about 0.5%, although I try to avoid it altogether. With that said, salicylic acid does a lot of good for the skin, providing gentle exfoliation & anti-bacterial/acne properties.
So unlike the liquid exfoliant, this lotion exfoliant has a lightweight, almost gel-like formulation that applies really evenly on the skin. I personally think the lotion formulation works better because it prevents over-application which occurs more easily when the exfoliant comes in a liquid form.
As I've mentioned before, I am hypersensitive to salicylic acid, which makes my skin super red, itchy, and flaky. So the highest concentration I can tolerate is about 0.5%, although I try to avoid it altogether. With that said, salicylic acid does a lot of good for the skin, providing gentle exfoliation & anti-bacterial/acne properties.
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| Calm 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant |
Although none of the products drastically reduced the redness I experience around my nose and mouth, they all felt really calming and nourishing. My picks from the collection are definitely the Calm Cleanser, SPF 30 Moisturizer, and Repairing Serum. The 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant is worth checking out as well if you are a fan of the original liquid BHA exfoliant.
Availability:
Paula's Choice Calm Collection is available online now. For a limited time, you can get 20% OFF + FREE Shipping with this link.
