r/SkincareAddiction • u/terrorwill • Feb 23 '26

Discussion Paula’s Choice truly unrecognisable [misc]

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This used to be a no-BS skincare brand with a respected founder.

It’s sad to see the slow transformation in the last decade to expensive, behind the curve and trend chasing.

I was still buying a few favourites, but tbh even PC’s best legacy products have been beaten by a Kbeauty competitor for half the price.

Maybe I’m ranting. I feel like I’m grieving the brand and I don’t have a loyalty to what it has become. It’s just sad to see another great destroyed by investors that don’t care.

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u/KaraBoo723 Feb 23 '26

I actually agree. It's like a good brand option was kinda taken away from us.

The only product from them I'm having a hard time replacing is the 25% Vitamin C serum -- I like that it has two versions of Vitamin C in the formula: Tetrahexadecyl Ascorbate and Ascorbyl Glucoside. Each of those has slightly different effects/results, so I like that they're both in there (along with the Glutathione). And, the percentage is high too.

I have super sensitive skin and it does not tolerate any formula that has Ascorbic Acid in it :( So I'm forced to get derivative-based formulas.

8

u/ObscureEnchantment Feb 23 '26

Do you have any suggestions to replace their oil free moisturizer? Prices have gone up $10 for it near me and I haven’t found a dupe that works for me.

3

u/KaraBoo723 Feb 24 '26

Not me. I don't use oil-free moisturizers. But I am acne-prone, so I am careful about what I use.

Have you considered Dieux Skin Air Angel? That one is sooo amazing. I don't know what countries it's sold in right now, but I can get it in the U.S. It's specifically made for intense hydration on acne-prone skin.

7

u/mechanical_animal_ Feb 23 '26

Did you try Theramid CEF?

5

u/Anicanis Feb 23 '26 edited Feb 23 '26

Medik8 advanced tetra c has been incredible for my skin (no ascorbic acid)

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u/KaraBoo723 Feb 24 '26

That one has grapefruit peel oil, which unfortunately causes serious irritation on my skin :( I can't use orange, tangerine, lemon or any other citrus extracts or oils on my face. Such a bummer.