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Shop Paula's Choice Pro-collagen Peptide Gloss Balm
Moisturizer
Paula's Choice

Pro-collagen Peptide Gloss Balm

~$24

What it's good for

Key actives from our research database. Click any to read the full evidence dossier.

  • BeeswaxModerate evidenceFull dossier ↗

    A wax film former that quietly does what petrolatum does (slows water loss and shields chapped skin) without feeling slick. Most evidence comes from honey/beeswax/olive-oil cerates that have shown improvement in dry, irritation-prone skin in controlled trials. CIR-affirmed safe.

    Good for: Barrier repair, Hydrating

  • Hyaluronic AcidStrong evidenceFull dossier ↗

    A pure hydrator that holds water in your skin. Makes skin look plumper and smoother almost immediately.

    Good for: Hydrating

  • Lactic AcidStrong evidenceFull dossier ↗

    A gentler exfoliator that also hydrates as it works. Good entry point if you have sensitive skin and want to try acids.

    Good for: Exfoliating, Hydrating

  • Shea ButterModerate evidenceFull dossier ↗

    A rich, naturally occlusive plant butter from the African karite tree. Soothes dry, irritation-prone skin, refills the lipid barrier, and was well tolerated enough in randomized trials that most participants used it comfortably as a daily emollient.

    Good for: Barrier repair, Hydrating, Anti-inflammatory

  • Vitamin EModerate evidenceFull dossier ↗

    A workhorse antioxidant that defends your skin from daily oxidative damage. Pairs especially well with vitamin C, and it's in nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.

    Good for: Antioxidant

New to this? Patch test on your inner arm for 24 to 48 hours before applying to your face. If you have sensitive skin or rosacea, start 2 to 3 times per week and build up slowly.

Evidence behind the ingredients

Real citations from our research database, one per tracked active in this product. Click any ingredient name to read its full evidence dossier.

BeeswaxModerate evidence4 citations

A wax film former that quietly does what petrolatum does (slows water loss and shields chapped skin) without feeling slick. Most evidence comes from honey/beeswax/olive-oil cerates that have shown improvement in dry, irritation-prone skin in controlled trials. CIR-affirmed safe.

Souza C et al., Topical Formulation Containing Beeswax-Based Nanoparticles Improved In Vivo Skin Barrier Function, AAPS PharmSciTech 2017;18(7):2505-2516 — controlled: beeswax-based nanoparticle topical formulation

2017Positive (efficacy)PMID:28213845View source ↗

Al-Waili NS. Clinical and mycological benefits of topical application of honey, olive oil and beeswax in diaper dermatitis. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2005;11(2):160-163.

2005Positive (efficacy)PMID:15679495View source ↗

CIR Expert Panel. Safety Assessment of Beeswax, Candelilla Wax, Carnauba Wax, Japan Wax, and Beeswax-Derived Ingredients. Int J Toxicol. (Reaffirmed 2005.)

2005Safety assessmentDOI:10.3109/10915818409010515View source ↗
Hyaluronic AcidStrong evidence7 citations

A pure hydrator that holds water in your skin. Makes skin look plumper and smoother almost immediately.

Karabat MU, Tuncer MC. Effects of hyaluronic acid on skin at the cellular level: a systematic review. Rev Assoc Med Bras. 2025;71(8):e20250208. — Systematic review of 45 studies found low-molecular-weight HA stimulates keratinocyte proliferation and migration while high-molecular-weight HA drives skin hydration, supporting topical HA as an effective skin-hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredient.

2025Meta-analysis (positive)PMID:40990743View source ↗

Bravo B et al., Benefits of topical hyaluronic acid for skin quality and signs of skin aging: From literature review to clinical evidence, Dermatology and Therapy 2022;12(12):2657-2680 — HA-based cosmeceuticals reliably improve hydration and signs of skin aging

2022Meta-analysis (positive)PMID:36200921View source ↗

Lee SG et al., Hyaluronan Oligosaccharides Improve Rosacea-Like Phenotype through Anti-Inflammatory and Epidermal Barrier-Improving Effects, Annals of Dermatology 2020

2020Mechanism onlyPMID:33911737View source ↗
Lactic AcidStrong evidence5 citations

A gentler exfoliator that also hydrates as it works. Good entry point if you have sensitive skin and want to try acids.

Fanning N et al., Treatment of mild-to-moderate facial cutaneous aging using a combination peel containing 6% trichloroacetic acid and 12% lactic acid, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2023;22(11):3033-3041 — three monthly peels significantly improved clarity, pigmentation, fine lines, roughness in 32 subjects

2023Positive (efficacy)PMID:37227430View source ↗

Tang SC, Yang JH, Dual effects of alpha-hydroxy acids on the skin, Molecules 2018;23(4):863 — effect concentration-dependent

2018Positive (efficacy)PMID:29642579View source ↗

Babilas P et al., Cosmetic and dermatologic use of alpha hydroxy acids, JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft 2012 — supports AHAs including lactic acid for photoaging, pigmentation, and barrier effects

2012Meta-analysis (positive)PMID:22916351View source ↗
+2 more ingredients
Shea ButterModerate evidence4 citations

A rich, naturally occlusive plant butter from the African karite tree. Soothes dry, irritation-prone skin, refills the lipid barrier, and was well tolerated enough in randomized trials that most participants used it comfortably as a daily emollient.

O'Connor RJ et al., Clinical Evaluation of a Diaper Containing a Shea Butter-Based Emollient and Impact on Diapered Skin Erythema, Pediatr Dermatol 2025;42(3):532-538 — RCT n=271 infants, shea-butter diaper reduced dermatitis

2025Positive (efficacy)PMID:40189822View source ↗

Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, et al. Safety Assessment of Butyrospermum parkii (Shea)-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics. Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel Final Report.

2024Safety assessmentDOI:10.1177/10915818231224230View source ↗

Verallo-Rowell VM, Katalbas SS, Pangasinan JP. Natural (Mineral, Vegetable, Coconut, Essential) Oils and Contact Dermatitis. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2016;16(7):51. — discussing shea butter unsaponifiable fraction NF-kB inhibition and dermatologic use.

2016Mechanism onlyPMID:27373890View source ↗
Vitamin EModerate evidence6 citations

A workhorse antioxidant that defends your skin from daily oxidative damage. Pairs especially well with vitamin C, and it's in nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.

Neves JR et al., Efficacy of a topical serum containing L-ascorbic acid, neohesperidin, pycnogenol, tocopherol, and hyaluronic acid in relation to skin aging signs, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2022;21(10):4462-4469 — tocopherol-containing antioxidant serum reduced pollution-induced damage and improved aging signs

2022Positive (efficacy)PMID:35150043View source ↗

Warshaw EM et al., Patch Testing With Tocopherol and Tocopherol Acetate: The North American Contact Dermatitis Group Experience, 2001 to 2016, Dermatitis 2021;32(5):308-318 — 15-year NACDG data: positive patch-test reactions to tocopherol rare given widespread cosmetic use

2021Safety assessmentPMID:34238818View source ↗

Lin FH et al., Ferulic acid stabilizes a solution of vitamins C and E and doubles its photoprotection of skin, Journal of Investigative Dermatology 2005;125(4):826-832 — ferulic acid + vit C + vit E combo doubled photoprotection vs C+E alone (cross-listed; same paper cited for Ferulic Acid and Vit C)

2005Positive (efficacy)PMID:16185284View source ↗

Sources: 10 clinical journals and regulatory databases across the US, EU, Korea, Japan, and China. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for the full list and what each outcome label means.

Layering conflicts

Ingredients in this product that can react with common actives. Avoid stacking unless noted.

  • Tretinoin + lactic acid — stack of two active resurfacers, very irritating.

  • Retinolmedium

    Retinol + lactic acid is gentler than glycolic but still alternate nights to be safe.

Similar comparisons

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Not medical advice. GlowPal is educational. Patch-test new products and talk to a qualified healthcare professional before changing your routine, especially if you're pregnant, nursing, or have a diagnosed skin condition. See our terms.