Paula's Choice Resist Vitamin C Spot Treatment - review

I received this product in Marie Claire's Summer Edit of The Parcel (reviewed here). 

While initially I hadn't planned to review it because the sample size is 5ml and that's normally not enough to tell whether skincare is working, this is a spot treatment so you don't use a lot each time and the tube has now lasted me a solid month of use.

There'll be a few more uses left once I cut open the tube to get the last bits out, but the product is almost gone and I decided I'd used it enough to write this review - something I wanted to do since this product has stung the pants off my skin if I've applied it to certain areas of my face, and I wanted to tell people that because it's worth knowing when something might be too harsh for you to use.

Paula's Choice claims/product details:

• This innovative spot treatment uses 25% stabilised vitamin c to reduce stubborn brown spots, sun damage and post-acne discolourations for smoother, more even-toned skin
• Reinforces skin’s protective barrier and reduces inflammation
• Patented time-release delivery system ensures optimal absorption
• Silky texture improves the appearance of fine lines and deep wrinkles
• For all skin types
• To use: as the last step of your before-bed skincare routine, lightly pat (don’t rub) treatment onto dark spots and wrinkles; be sure to use sunscreen during the day
• RRP $70 AUD for 15ml

Verdict

This is an odd product and it takes some getting used to. 

It's a thick, powdery cream that you're meant to apply to areas of concern as the last step in your skincare routine at night. I've been doing this and it felt really odd to pat the treatment on (as opposed to rubbing it in) but I've followed the directions to the letter because I wanted it to work!

I learned pretty quickly that I couldn't apply this to some areas of my face - I guess they're more sensitive than others - because this product really stung and itched, to the point where I had to remove it since the discomfort showed no signs of calming down.

I did try those areas again in the hope that my skin just needed to get used to the stuff, but no luck. So I wouldn't recommend this if your skin is on the sensitive side, and it's definitely worth testing before buying the product because you mightn't be able to tolerate it. 

My skin isn't super sensitive but it does lean that way, and this isn't the first Paula's Choice product that I haven't been able to use because it stung and made my skin red and itchy, so it could be that the brand just doesn't agree with me.

Anyhoo. I've been monitoring those areas (mainly brown spots) that I have been able to apply the product to, and unfortunately I haven't seen any impact over the month that I've used it. I've been consistent with it and haven't used any other treatments that are designed to similar things - just so I could really see what this was doing - and sadly I haven't had any luck.

Do note that I've seen some reviewers say that this works for them, so don't discount this if you're after something to target things like discolouration - but as mentioned, definitely test this first because it's powerful stuff and your skin mightn't like it.

Not for me.