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Paula's Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum for sensitive skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Paula's Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum

Average

  • AverageNormal Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

Works for sensitive skin; other moisturizers fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. 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

  • This serum offers moderate benefits for normal skin, with retinol and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate providing antioxidant protection and texture smoothing, but it lacks sufficient humectants for optimal hydration.
  • While Tocopherol and Bisabolol offer antioxidant benefits, they do not directly address your primary concerns of redness and irritation.
  • The product is safe for your sensitive skin, as it contains soothing ingredients like Bisabolol and Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract and avoids harsh or prohibited substances.

How to apply

  • Use this soothing AM and PM routine every day to keep your normal skin calm. Always remember to apply SPF in the morning after your moisturizer.
  • Apply your moisturizer after your toner in the morning, and after your serum in the evening. This step locks in hydration and protects your skin.
  • Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer evenly across your face. Avoid rubbing to keep your sensitive skin happy and calm.
  • You can apply this gentle formula on dry or slightly damp skin for the best comfort. It works wonderfully on clean skin to soothe redness and irritation.
  • Do a patch test before your very first use to check your skin's reaction. Avoid getting the product directly into your eyes .

People Say

★3.8Overall rating based on 100+ reviews

Based on limited data, this viscous, silicone-based serum is highly praised by users with dry or mature skin for its deep hydration and ability to create a smooth, protective barrier. Many report brighter, calmer skin and improved texture. Users with combination or oily skin frequently find the finish too heavy or greasy.

Highlights

  • Deep hydration protection Often Mentioned
    • “healed my raw chapped skin”
    • “winter staple for dry climate”
    • “makes skin feel supple and protected”
    • “keeps hydration locked in”
  • Greasy or shiny finish Often Mentioned
    • “left a shiny film”
    • “too greasy for day use”
    • “looked like a glazed donut”
    • “oil sat on top of skin”
  • Improves texture tone Sometimes Noted
    • “skin looks brighter”
    • “smoothed out fine lines”
    • “gives a nice healthy glow”
    • “texture is much softer”
  • Silky application Sometimes Noted
    • “glides on like silk”
    • “great base for makeup”
    • “velvety finish”
    • “a little goes a long way”
  • Soothing sensitive skin Sometimes Noted
    • “no stinging or irritation”
    • “soothing on sensitive areas”
    • “gentle vitamin C formula”
  • Slow absorption Sometimes Noted
    • “takes forever to absorb”
    • “felt tacky for hours”
    • “just sits on the surface”
    • “had to blot it off”
  • Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “caused small red bumps”
    • “clogged my pores”
    • “broke me out on the chin”
    • “too heavy for acne-prone skin”
  • Packaging issues Rarely Noted
    • “can't see how much is left”
    • “pump stopped working”
    • “hard to get the last bit out”

Sources: lovi.care, paulaschoice.com, dermstore.com, makeupalley.com, reddit.com, wizaz.pl, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Paula's Choice Super Antioxidant Serum work for sensitive skin?

This serum is an average fit for sensitive skin because, while it is safe and contains soothing ingredients like bisabolol, it lacks enough hydrating ingredients to keep this skin type comfortable. A product of this type for sensitive skin needs soothing extracts and plenty of hydrating ingredients to calm redness and keep moisture locked in.

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for sensitive skin?

Bisabolol and Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract make this serum a good fit for sensitive skin by helping calm the skin, while retinol and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate provide antioxidant protection. Because this is an average fit, sensitive skin needs a product of this type that also includes extra hydrating ingredients like multiple types of hyaluronic acid and targeted soothing components that directly address redness and irritation.

European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2017

What does Retinol do for sensitive skin?

Retinol is generally too harsh for sensitive skin and may cause stinging, scaling, and irritation. A product for this skin needs gentle ingredients that smooth and calm without causing redness.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Toxicology Letters, 2003

What does Vitamin C do for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, Vitamin C helps calm redness and evens out dark spots while improving overall skin quality and radiance. Daily use is generally well-tolerated and may help protect against environmental stress.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?

This serum goes in the evening routine after your toner and before your moisturizer. It is safe for sensitive skin because it contains soothing ingredients like bisabolol and chamomile extract, but a product for this skin needs extra moisture from ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid to keep skin soft and comfortable.

Can I use this serum with niacinamide, and in what order?

You can use this serum with niacinamide by applying niacinamide first and letting it absorb before putting on this treatment. This serum contains soothing bisabolol and chamomile extract, making it safe for your skin, though a product of this type needs more water-attracting ingredients for optimal hydration on sensitive skin.

How often should I use this serum?

This serum works well in the evening for your sensitive skin. To get the best results for this skin type, a product of this type needs more hydrating ingredients to lock in moisture and soothe redness.

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?

This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts for sensitive skin, as few reviewers report this issue. However, a product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and non-greasy oils to keep pores clear and skin smooth.

Can I use this serum around the eyes or on my body?

You can use this serum safely on the body and around the eyes, though it is not specifically tailored for thin eye skin or dry skin. A product for these areas needs extra hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid to smooth fine lines and keep the skin feeling soft and comfortable.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Polymers, 2023

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (sd alcohol 40 alcohol denat).

What the research says

  • Topical 0.4% retinol significantly increased epidermal thickness, dermal vascularity, and extracellular matrix production by stimulating keratinocyte proliferation, endothelial cell proliferation, and fibroblast activation in naturally aged human skin compared to vehicle.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017

  • Topical bakuchiol 0.5% applied twice daily compared with retinol 0.5% applied daily significantly decreased wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation with no statistical difference between the compounds in 44 patients over 12 weeks, while retinol users reported more facial skin scaling and stinging.

    The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019

  • Silicone particles encapsulating retinol increased its half-life by 9-fold and yielded 12-23% lower skin irritation in human subjects compared to Microsponge particles while maintaining biological activity.

    Journal of Controlled Release, 2018

  • Topical 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, 2003

  • Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.

    Journal of Periodontology, 2009

  • Topical 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, 2022

  • Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025

  • Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.

    Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021

  • Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

  • Application of an alpha-bisabolol-containing cream produced a significant skin-lightening effect in pigmented skin compared to a vehicle control in the majority of female subjects after 8 weeks.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2010

  • The combination of allantoin, bisabolol, D-panthenol and dipotassium glycyrrhizinate reduces UVB-induced PGE2, inflammatory cytokines, and mitochondrial superoxide in human epidermal keratinocytes.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024

  • Oral astaxanthin supplementation significantly restored moisture content and improved elasticity but did not significantly decrease wrinkle depth compared to placebo in humans.

    Nutrients, 2021

  • Combining oral and topical astaxanthin in 30 healthy females improved skin wrinkles, age spots, elasticity, texture, and moisture, while 6 mg daily oral supplementation in 36 healthy males improved crow's feet wrinkles, elasticity, and transepidermal water loss.

    Acta Biochimica Polonica, 2012

  • Twice-daily application of a novel topical antioxidant formulation safe, well-tolerated, and effective in improving overall skin quality, fine lines, wrinkles, radiance, and hyperpigmentation in 32 healthy female subjects over 12 weeks.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023

Why other moisturizers fit sensitive skin better

Ingredients

Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Olea Europaea Oil Fruit Olive Oil Fruit, Tocopherol, Retinol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Bisabolol, Tocotrienols, Adenosine, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil Grape Seed Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Matricaria Flower Extract, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Stearyl Dimethicone, Astaxanthin, Glycine Soja Oil Soybean Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract Grape Seed Extract, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Cranberry Seed Oil, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil Raspberry Seed Oil, Vaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil, Palm Oil, Sd Alcohol 40 Alcohol Denat

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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Prices checked 16 Oct 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for Canada.

How does it fit your skin?

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