Allergen & irritant analysis
3 flaggedThis facial treatment from Paula's Choice lists 34 ingredients. AllerNote's analysis flags 2 known contact allergens and 1 common irritant in the INCI list. No added fragrance, parabens, MI / MCI (isothiazolinones), formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, SLS / SLES sulfates were detected in the listed ingredients.
- PhenoxyethanolKnown allergen (irritant): Phenoxyethanol
- Benzyl alcoholKnown allergen (preservative): Benzyl Alcohol
- Sodium hydroxideStrong alkaline substance that can be highly corrosive and irritating in high concentrations; used safely in cosmetics only in neutralized, low concentrations for pH adjustment.
Not detected: added fragrance, parabens, MI / MCI (isothiazolinones), formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, SLS / SLES sulfates.
Based on what's flagged, take extra care if you're among:
- People sensitised to preservatives (e.g. MI/MCI or formaldehyde releasers)
Generated from this product's ingredient list and AllerNote's allergen database — educational, not medical advice or a substitute for patch testing.
Benefits
Key Ingredients
- 1AHAExfoliates skin for a brighter complexion.
- 2AntioxidantsShields skin from free radical damage.
- 3ExfoliatorsRemoves dead skin cells to smoothe texture.
- 4PeptidesSupports skin hydration and improves firmness.
- 5BHAUnclogs pores and reduces excess oil.
- 6CeramidesLocks in moisture and supports skin barrier.
Full Ingredient List
34INCI (full list, INCI order): water, butylene glycol, glycolic acid, glycerin, lactic acid, caprylic/capric triglyceride, malic acid, tartaric acid, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, ceramide ng, salicylic acid, glycyrrhiza glabra root, camellia sinensis leaf extract, punica granatum extract, lycium barbarum fruit extract, vitis vinifera seed extract, sambucus nigra fruit extract, camellia oleifera leaf, chamomilla recutita flower extract, peucedanum graveolens extract, allantoin, adenosine, hydrogenated lecithin, bisabolol, polyquaternium-10, xanthan gum, carbomer, polysorbate 20, sodium bicarbonate, sodium hydroxide, aminomethyl propanol, phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol
Tap any ingredient to see details
Potential Concerns
- May Worsen RosaceaCan trigger flare-ups in rosacea-prone skin.
- May Worsen EczemaMay worsen itching or irritation for eczema.
- May Worsen DrynessCan strip moisture and worsen dryness.
- May Worsen IrritationMay cause stinging, redness, or sensitivity.
- May Worsen Oily SkinMay increase shine or excess oil.
Frequently asked questions
Is RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA fragrance-free?
No added fragrance or EU-labelled fragrance allergens were detected in RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA's listed ingredients. "Not detected" isn't an absolute guarantee, but it's a good sign for fragrance-sensitive skin — confirm against the current pack and your own triggers.
Is RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA paraben-free?
No parabens were detected in RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA's listed ingredients. Worth keeping in perspective: parabens are among the least common cosmetic allergens, so "paraben-free" matters far less for reactive skin than avoiding fragrance or the preservative MI/MCI.
Is RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA suitable for sensitive or allergy-prone skin?
It depends on your specific triggers. RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA contains 2 flagged allergens and 1 irritant (listed in the analysis above). If none are on your personal allergen list it may suit you, but patch test first — add your allergens to AllerNote to check RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA against your own profile.

