Paula's Choice RESIST Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum for dry skin
Ascorbic Acid- Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Ceramide Np
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Superoxide Dismutase
Superior
- SuperiorDry Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best serums for dry skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Excellent suitability for your dry skin is provided by ingredients like Glycerin and Ceramide NP, which offer humectant and emollient actions to support your skin barrier and hydration, while Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate and Ferulic Acid deliver potent antioxidant protection and brighten your complexion.
- The inclusion of Tocopherol and Beta-Glucan further soothes and nourishes your dry or flaky skin, enhancing overall comfort and resilience.
- This formula is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of beneficial compounds.
How to apply
- Apply this serum PM, starting 3×/week and working up to daily use as your skin adjusts.
- Place the serum after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the serum on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra moisture.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.2Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsBased on limited data, users with dry, mature, or sensitive skin frequently praise this serum for its rich, hydrating texture that functions as a barrier against environmental stress, often noting a visible "glow" and improved plumpness. Users with combination or oily skin often find the silicone-heavy formula too occlusive, leading to a greasy finish or potential congestion.
Highlights
Deeply hydrating Often Mentioned
- “instantly makes my very dry skin feel supple”
- “skin looks more plump immediately after applying”
- “kept my skin hydrated in dry winter”
Greasy/shiny finish Often Mentioned
- “woke up with very shiny T-zone”
- “too oily and shiny for day use”
- “leaves a greasy film”
Improves texture Sometimes Noted
- “skin was noticeably brighter and smoother”
- “soft and smooth after absorption”
- “texture improvement after layering”
Soothes sensitive skin Sometimes Noted
- “soothes and repairs gently and efficiently”
- “does not irritate my sensitive skin”
Heavy silicone feel Sometimes Noted
- “feels like a layer of silicones”
- “pure silicone substance”
- “consistency is too thick and slippery”
Slow absorption Sometimes Noted
- “takes some time to soak in”
- “sits on top of the skin”
- “feels like a layer over your skin”
Protective packaging Rarely Noted
- “allows antioxidants to remain stable”
- “no product goes wasted”
- “love the airless pump design”
Causes breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused a red itchy rash”
- “clogs your pores”
- “generated red bumps/pimples”
Sources: lovi.care, dermstore.com, paulaschoice.com, makeupalley.com, reddit.com, influenster.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes RESIST Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum one of the best fits for dry skin?
This serum is one of the best fits because Glycerin and Ceramide NP draw in moisture and protect your skin barrier, while Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate and Ferulic Acid brighten your complexion and shield it from damage. Tocopherol and Beta-Glucan further soothe dry and flaky areas, helping to keep your skin soft, comfortable, and resilient.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for dry skin?
This serum is a great fit for dry skin because ingredients like Glycerin and Ceramide NP help hold in moisture and support your skin barrier. It also includes Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ferulic Acid, Tocopherol, and Beta-Glucan to protect, soothe, and nourish flaky skin while keeping irritation away.
What does Vitamin C do for dry skin?
Vitamin C helps dry skin by boosting moisture and keeping the surface smooth and soft. It may also improve skin hydration and support the outer protective barrier over time.
Skin Research and Technology, 2008Experimental Dermatology, 2008
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This serum goes in your evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, though some serums can also be used in the morning or twice a day. Applying an antioxidant serum as part of a consistent regimen helps brighten your complexion while supporting your dry skin.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first to nourish your dry skin and following it with retinol once it absorbs. This approach helps protect your skin barrier while minimizing the likelihood of dryness or irritation.
How often should I use this serum?
Use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine. It is very safe for dry skin and is unlikely to cause irritation.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts on dry skin, as its formula avoids harsh ingredients and is well-suited for your skin type. However, some reviewers do mention a heavy silicone feel and a greasy or shiny finish, which may feel too rich if you are prone to clogged pores.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A lipid mixture enriched by ceramide NP with fatty acids of diverse chain lengths significantly improved skin barrier recovery rate, stratum corneum integrity, and hydration compared to a vehicle cream in healthy adult male volunteers with corticosteroid-impaired skin.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2022Skin care regimens containing beta-glucan improved hemoglobin index, skin hydration, and transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in 20 patients undergoing fractional laser therapy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021A topical antioxidant solution of 15% L-ascorbic acid, 1% alpha-tocopherol, and 0.5% ferulic acid provides significant photoprotection against solar-simulated UV radiation in human skin compared to its vehicle.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2008Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Supramolecular collagen nanoparticles composed of lactoferrin, recombinant human collagen, and palmitoyl tripeptide-5 improved transdermal efficiency by 69.90% and demonstrated moisturizing, whitening, wrinkle reduction, and firming effects.
Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces, 2025Topical application of TAT-SOD significantly suppresses UVB-induced erythema formation, blood flow rise, and apoptotic sunburn cell formation in human volunteers compared to a vehicle control.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2016Topical treatment with the synthetic SOD/catalase mimetic EUK-134 reduced lipid peroxide levels both at baseline on non-irradiated human skin and at the surface of UVA-exposed skin when applied before or after irradiation, compared to controls.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2004Topical superoxide dismutase formulations maintained physical stability and enzymatic activity for 6 months at 4 and 30 degrees C, and effectively inhibited UVB-induced skin erythema for 48 hours, whereas formulations combined with alpha-tocopherol were unstable.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2007
Ingredients
Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Ceramide Np, Tocotrienols, Tocopherol, Ubiquinone, Thioctic Acid, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ferulic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Superoxide Dismutase, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Ergothioneine, Glutathione, Xanthophyll, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Glycerin, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Palm Oil, Phenoxyethanol
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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