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Paula's Choice RESIST Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser with Hyaluronic Acid

This foaming cleanser is designed to remove makeup, sunscreen, and excess oil without compromising the skin's natural moisture barrier. It's formulated with hyaluronic acid for hydration and a triple-ceramide blend to support skin health.

Sephora price

$26.00

Price matters most when you are trying to learn whether this lane belongs in your routine without turning the test into a luxury gamble.

Sephora reviews

4.5 / 5

About 324 reviews on the current Sephora source, so there is real volume behind the reputation.

Shoppers keep mentioning

PoresHyaluronic AcidFragrance FreeCruelty-FreeBest for Oily, Combo, Normal SkinAcne/BlemishesSoothes the skin and helps it hold on to hydration post cleanse.Reinforces skin's moisture barrier to avoid a dry, tight feel.Visibly calms redness and signs of sensitivity.PoresDullnessand Oiliness

These are the shopper themes that keep showing up around this listing and shape why people open it in the first place.

Glass take

4.5 / 5 overall fit

A solid, no-frills cleanser that effectively removes impurities without stripping the skin. It’s a good option for normal to oily skin types looking for a gentle yet thorough cleanse.

Paula's Choice RESIST Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser with Hyaluronic Acid

Sephora snapshot refreshed April 23, 2026

Price, rating, review count, and source status come from Sephora. Glass adds the routine fit, overlap risk, and what to compare next.

View Sephora

What Sephora says

What this product is supposed to do

A gentle foaming cleanser thoroughly rinses away excess oil, makeup and sunscreen while maintaining skin’s protective barrier.

NormalCombinationand OilyPoresDullnessand Oiliness

Apply 1–2 pumps twice daily to a wet face.

Massage gently in circular motions.

Rinse well.

Use a clean, wet washcloth or cleanse twice to remove heavy makeup.

Recycling Instructions:

Check your local recycling authority's guidelines.

What Glass adds

What actually matters before you buy it

This is a well-formulated cleanser that does what it says it will: cleans effectively while being gentle. It’s a good choice for most skin types, especially those prone to oiliness or congestion, as it doesn't strip the skin.

Gentle yet effective

Many users praise its ability to clean thoroughly without causing dryness or irritation, making it a daily favorite.

Hydration post-cleanse

The inclusion of hyaluronic acid and ceramides is noted for leaving skin feeling soft and hydrated, not stripped.

Best for

When this is a smart buy

  • Normal, combination, and oily skin types
  • Those looking for a gentle yet effective cleanser
  • Removing makeup and sunscreen

Skip if

When this is the wrong lane

  • You have very dry or sensitive skin that reacts to foaming cleansers
  • You prefer a cream or oil-based cleanser

Routine fit

Where this cleanser fits in

Use this as the first step in your morning and evening skincare routine. Apply to a wet face, massage gently, and rinse thoroughly. For heavy makeup or sunscreen, consider a double cleanse by using this product a second time or following with another cleanser.

Why it works

Where it earns the slot and where it does not

The useful question is not whether this product is good in a vacuum. It is whether it makes your routine easier to run or just adds one more bottle with a familiar ingredient on it.

What it actually does well

  • Effective cleansing without stripping
  • Contains hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredients
  • Fragrance-free
  • Suitable for oily and combination skin

Where it starts to feel redundant

  • Foaming action may not be ideal for extremely dry or sensitive skin
  • May require a double cleanse for heavy or waterproof makeup

Routine fit

Where it belongs in the stack

Morning and Night

This cleanser is suitable for both morning and evening routines. In the morning, it removes overnight buildup. In the evening, it effectively cleanses away the day's impurities, makeup, and sunscreen.

Glass rating

How this formula scores in real life

4.5/ 5 overall

A solid, no-frills cleanser that effectively removes impurities without stripping the skin. It’s a good option for normal to oily skin types looking for a gentle yet thorough cleanse.

Cleansing efficacy

4.5 / 5

Removes makeup and excess oil effectively without leaving skin feeling tight or dry.

Skin barrier support

4.4 / 5

Contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help maintain skin hydration and barrier function.

Full ingredient breakdown

Every ingredient, what it does, and whether I care

Solvent

Water (Aqua)

Badness

0.0 / 10

The base for most skincare formulations.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

None

Surfactant

Sodium Lauroamphoacetate

Badness

1.0 / 10

A mild amphoteric surfactant that gently cleanses the skin.

Usually helps with

All skin types, especially sensitive

Watch for

Can be slightly irritating in high concentrations, but generally well-tolerated.

Surfactant

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate

Badness

1.0 / 10

A mild anionic surfactant derived from coconut oil, known for its creamy lather and gentle cleansing properties.

Usually helps with

All skin types, including dry and sensitive

Watch for

Generally very mild.

Emollient/Emulsifier

Stearic Acid

Badness

0.0 / 10

A fatty acid that helps to soften and smooth the skin, and also aids in emulsifying ingredients.

Usually helps with

Dry and normal skin

Watch for

Can be comedogenic for some acne-prone individuals in high concentrations, but typically safe in cleansers.

Humectant

Glycerin

Badness

0.0 / 10

A common and effective humectant that draws moisture into the skin.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

None

Emollient/Opacifier

Glycol Distearate

Badness

0.0 / 10

A waxy ingredient that provides a smooth feel and can give products an opaque appearance.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

None

Emollient

Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil

Badness

0.0 / 10

A rich emollient oil high in linoleic acid, which can help support the skin barrier.

Usually helps with

Dry and normal skin

Watch for

Can be comedogenic for some acne-prone individuals.

Film Former/Thickener

Acrylates Copolymer

Badness

0.0 / 10

A synthetic polymer used to thicken formulations and create a smooth texture.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

None

Emollient/Emulsifier

Cetearyl Alcohol

Badness

0.0 / 10

A fatty alcohol that moisturizes and softens the skin, and helps to stabilize emulsions. It is not drying like simple alcohols.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

None

Humectant

Sodium Hyaluronate

Badness

0.0 / 10

The salt form of hyaluronic acid, a potent humectant that attracts and retains moisture.

Usually helps with

All skin types, especially dehydrated

Watch for

None

Skin-Conditioning Agent

Ceramide NP

Badness

0.0 / 10

A naturally occurring lipid that helps restore and maintain the skin's natural barrier.

Usually helps with

All skin types, especially dry and compromised

Watch for

None

Skin-Conditioning Agent

Ceramide AP

Badness

0.0 / 10

A naturally occurring lipid that helps restore and maintain the skin's natural barrier.

Usually helps with

All skin types, especially dry and compromised

Watch for

None

Skin-Conditioning Agent

Ceramide EOP

Badness

0.0 / 10

A naturally occurring lipid that helps restore and maintain the skin's natural barrier.

Usually helps with

All skin types, especially dry and compromised

Watch for

None

Skin-Conditioning Agent

Phytosphingosine

Badness

0.0 / 10

A lipid that is a component of the skin's natural barrier, helping to soothe and repair.

Usually helps with

All skin types, especially sensitive and irritated

Watch for

None

Emollient/Skin-Conditioning Agent

Phospholipids

Badness

0.0 / 10

Essential components of cell membranes that help to moisturize and support the skin barrier.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

None

Emollient/Skin-Conditioning Agent

Sphingolipids

Badness

0.0 / 10

Lipids that are crucial for maintaining the skin's barrier function and hydration.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

None

Emulsifier/Skin-Conditioning Agent

Lecithin

Badness

0.0 / 10

A phospholipid that helps to emulsify ingredients and also has emollient properties.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

Can be derived from soy or egg; potential allergen for some.

Amino Acid

Arginine

Badness

0.0 / 10

An amino acid that helps to maintain skin hydration and can support collagen production.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

None

Emollient/Skin-Conditioning Agent

Cholesterol

Badness

0.0 / 10

A lipid that is a natural component of the skin barrier, helping to maintain its structure and hydration.

Usually helps with

Dry and normal skin

Watch for

None

Soothing Agent

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract

Badness

0.0 / 10

Known for its soothing, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating properties.

Usually helps with

All skin types, especially sensitive and irritated

Watch for

Rarely, some individuals may have sensitivities.

Chelating Agent

Disodium EDTA

Badness

1.0 / 10

A chelating agent that helps to improve the stability and efficacy of the product by binding to metal ions.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

Can enhance penetration of other ingredients; some concerns about environmental impact.

Viscosity Adjuster

Sodium Chloride

Badness

0.0 / 10

Common salt, used here to adjust the thickness of the cleanser.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

None

pH Adjuster

Sodium Hydroxide

Badness

0.0 / 10

Used to adjust the pH of the formulation to be skin-friendly.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

Can be irritating if not properly formulated.

Emulsifier/Surfactant

Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate

Badness

0.0 / 10

A mild emulsifier and surfactant that helps to create a stable foam and cleanse the skin.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

None

Thickener/Emulsifier

Xanthan Gum

Badness

0.0 / 10

A polysaccharide used to thicken formulations and improve texture.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

None

Thickener

Carbomer

Badness

0.0 / 10

A synthetic polymer used to thicken cosmetic formulations.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

None

Solvent/Viscosity Adjuster

Hexylene Glycol

Badness

1.0 / 10

A solvent and viscosity-decreasing agent that can also act as a humectant.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

Can be a skin irritant for some individuals.

Preservative

Phenoxyethanol

Badness

2.0 / 10

A common preservative used to prevent microbial growth in cosmetic products.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

Can be a skin irritant for some individuals, especially in higher concentrations.

Emollient/Preservative Booster

Caprylyl Glycol

Badness

1.0 / 10

A skin-conditioning agent that also helps to boost the effectiveness of preservatives.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

Can be a skin irritant for some individuals.

Compare before you buy

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FAQ

The fast answers people actually need

Is this cleanser suitable for oily skin?

Yes, this cleanser is specifically formulated for normal, combination, and oily skin types. It effectively removes excess oil without stripping the skin.

Can this cleanser be used to remove makeup?

Yes, it can remove light to moderate makeup. For heavy or waterproof makeup, a double cleanse is recommended.

Does this cleanser contain fragrance?

No, this cleanser is fragrance-free, making it a good option for those with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivities.

Paula's Choice RESIST Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser with Hyaluronic Acid Review and Routine Fit | Glass