The Robert Tisserand article was a response to my ask the experts question sent to the personal care truth expert panel--inspired by our discussion here on that topic.  You can also find it here: http://personalcaretruth.com/2011/09/lavender-oil-skin-savior-or-skin-irritant/

You make a very good point about Paula (and really any expert).  All experts have limitations [Brains excluded :] so you should always seek a couple opinions.  But you should also always know the background of the people giving you the advice.  We are cosmetic chemists and have a specific point of view.  Robert has his view and Paula has hers. 

I think the fact that Paula sells her own line of products really diminishes her objectivity.  Also, she is not a chemist.  She worked in the beauty industry (esthetician) then became a TV beauty reporter, then the Cosmetic Cop.  She has many valuable things to add but she doesn't always get it quite right.

I paid a lot more attention to Paula's views on products BEFORE she came out with her own line and began touting it. Not to say I don't take her reviews into account when picking products, I do. But I also use other sites, including this one, to narrow the field and try to make the best informed decisions I can possibly make!

I've found Paula's advice and her products to be really helpful. She's not infallible, but the information on her site is better than most of what is written about beauty products. I bet a lot of people go to her site just to buy some cosmetics, and then get access to info about science, chemistry, marketing, and beauty industry hype that they wouldn't normally see. I like her ingredients dictionary and Beautypedia. Beautypedia helps me find the right shade of drugstore brand concealer, powder, and foundation by telling us which shades are pinkish and which are yellowish. It saves me money. The ingredients dictionary has prevented me from hurting myself when making my own cosmetic potions. It tells which ingredients, including some "all-natural" ones, are irritating or even poisonous. I can't use a lot of her products because I'm allergic to an ingredient that's in a lot of products, even hypoallergenic products. But Paula's Choice is the most affordable source for me for BHA (salycilic acid) and peroxide products that keep my skin free of zits. It's one of the very few sources of fragrance-free products. I read a lot of blogs and take scientists like the Beauty Brains more seriously on science issues, but Paula covers topics that nobody else does, and her info has had a great influence on the quality of my skin for the past 10 years or so.

Yeah, I don't dismiss Paula at all.  I like her site, and I use her products.  I was agreeing with the general concept that you have to consider the educational background of the person, their source(s) of information, and their ability (based on education) to draw accurate conclusions from those sources, in order to determine how much weight to give to any specific claim that they make.  I do use Paula's dictionary and I think she's very bright, but I don't use it as my only, or final, source of information.

I believe she contracts out the manufacture of her products. Of course, she determines what ingredients go into  her products and what ingredients are not be included, as well as packaging requirements.

There are independent labs that work with those who wish to develop their own products. That's how doctors whose names are on products do it.

L'Oreal, Estee Lauder, etc., are large companies and have their own labs to develop products for their own lines.

Thanks Georgia and Right Brain  ! !

I was told years ago that the " big " companies " like L'Oreal, Estee Lauder, Avon, Coty, etc., etc.,  used their " perfume " manufacturing plants " to produce perfumes for other companies.     It would be cheaper for them (other companies)  to contract it out rather than to open up their own manufacturing plants.  Plus, if the perfume was not successful, the company would stop production according to the contracted agreement and would not have to shut down a manufacturing facility.

Take for instance, Avon ... they are now offering permanent " Hair Color " just like L'Oreal, Clairol owned by  Proctor & Gamble.   Avon does not have the manufacturing facilities to produce hair color so that means that they have "probably " contracted out to a company that specializes in hair color.   My " guess " would be L'Oreal since L'Oreal has just opened a new $50 million hair color facility in Mexico.

Why would you avoid Paula's products? 

I think what Left Brain said was "She has many valuable things to add but she doesn't always get it quite right." (Italics and bold print mine.) I agree that she doesn't always get it right, but that doesn't mean that she gets everything wrong and you should dismiss everything she says out of hand. Sort of like don't believe everything you read and only half of what you see. Just my opinion.   :)

Well, I read everything on Beautypedia as well and agree her theoretical knowledge is impeccable.
However, when I tried her products; I could notice that she isn't able to use her knowledge to formulate good products. Kinda like a good professor doesn't necessarily make a good engineer at Nasa.
Just my opinion. If you like her products, well am glad that you like something as I am still looking for my HG range.

I also don't use everything from one range.  I mix and match.  Like I use a paula's choice cleanser at night, but my redness relief cleanser in the daytime.  I use one brand for sunscreen, and different brand for night cream, etc.

And a lot of my paula's choice samples were rejects, but some were hits.  I do love that she sells samples for a nominal price--that's how I find out what I like and am willing to purchase full size.