Paula's Choice RESIST Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum for dry sensitive skin
Ascorbic Acid- Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Ceramide Np
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Superoxide Dismutase
Superior
- SuperiorDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best serums for dry sensitive skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, 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 and sensitive skin is provided by emollients like dimethicone and ceramides, alongside humectants such as glycerin, which offer optimal barrier repair and hydration. Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and ferulic acid further enhance this by providing excellent antioxidant protection and evening your skin tone, shielding you from environmental stressors.
- Palmitoyl tripeptide-5 and tocopherol are included to support your skin barrier function and hydration, addressing your dry or flaky skin concerns.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like Beta-Glucan.
How to apply
- Use this PM routine for your evening skincare. Start using the serum 3 times a week and increase to daily use if your skin feels comfortable.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer. This step locks in deep hydration for dry skin.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin using your palms. Let it absorb completely for a minute ⏱ before applying your next product.
- Since your skin is sensitive, apply the serum on completely dry skin for better tolerance and less irritation.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Always do a patch test before your first use to ensure your skin reacts well.
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 Paula's Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum one of the best fits for dry sensitive skin?
This serum is one of the best fits for your dry sensitive skin because it uses dimethicone, ceramides, and glycerin to repair your skin barrier and keep it hydrated. It also features vitamin C and ferulic acid to protect you from environmental stressors, while beta-glucan soothes your skin without any risk of irritation.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
This serum is an exceptional fit for dry sensitive skin because it uses dimethicone, ceramides, and glycerin to repair your moisture barrier and deeply hydrate dry areas. It also includes vitamin C and ferulic acid to shield your skin from environmental damage, while beta-glucan soothes and calms without causing irritation.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
What does Vitamin C do for dry sensitive skin?
Vitamin C helps brighten and smooth dry sensitive skin while reducing wrinkles and improving elasticity. It is generally well tolerated and unlikely to cause irritation when properly formulated, leaving the skin looking more radiant.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing. Putting it in the evening helps keep your skin safe from sun exposure while delivering antioxidants and barrier-repairing ingredients.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first to help calm and protect your dry, sensitive skin before layering your retinol. Because this product is very gentle, it is unlikely to cause irritation when combined with active treatments.
How often should I use this serum?
This treatment is used in the evening once a day, following your toner and before your moisturizer. It is unlikely to cause irritation on dry and sensitive skin because it avoids harsh ingredients and includes soothing components.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts for dry sensitive skin because it avoids harsh ingredients and includes soothing components like beta-glucan, though a few reviewers have noted a greasy or heavy feel.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A 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, 2008Pretreatment with a topical antioxidant mixture of vitamin C, ferulic acid, and phloretin attenuated ultraviolet-induced sunburn cell formation, thymine dimer formation, matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression, p53 protein expression, and the suppression of CD1a-expressing Langerhans cells in human skin compared to vehicle control.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Supramolecular 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, 2025Skin 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, 2021Topical 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, 2022Topical 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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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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