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Bubble Super Clear Acne Treating Serum 2% Salicylic Acid Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Bubble Super Clear Acne Treating Serum 2% Salicylic Acid Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant This acne serum is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract to clear breakouts and refine the look of pores. This

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

Bubble Super Clear Acne Treating Serum 2% Salicylic Acid Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

This acne serum is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract to clear breakouts and refine the look of pores.

This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Salicylic Acid 2%

Water

Glycerin

Squalane

Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate

Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate

Sodium Polyacrylate

Cetearyl Alcohol

Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract

Colloidal Oatmeal

Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract

Zinc PCA

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil

Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract

Salix Nigra Bark Extract

Xanthan Gum

Coco-Glucoside

Tocopheryl Acetate

Potassium Hydroxide

Citric Acid

Phenoxyethanol

Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Glycerin, Squalane, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Colloidal Oatmeal, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Zinc PCA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil, Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Xanthan Gum, Coco-Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Potassium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol

Methylpropanediol

Butylene Glycol

Salicylic Acid

Polysorbate 20

Camellia Oleifera Leaf

Sodium Hydroxide

Tetrasodium EDTA

Water, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Camellia Oleifera Leaf, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA

Reviews

Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.

Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.

Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.

Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.

It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.

While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.

If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!

Similar Comparisons

The reference edit

Ingredients, questions
& further reading.

Connected source records selected through this article’s public topic index.

01

Formula cabinet

Ingredients & structured notes

Ingredient index

Ingredients Explained

  1. 01These ingredients are found in both products.
  2. 02Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
  3. 03Adenosine is a purine nucleoside that your body already makes in every cell. In skincare, it acts mainly as a skin conditioning and anti-aging agent.
  4. 04The way it works is fairly well mapped out:
  5. 05Your skin has cells called fibroblasts that build collagen (the stuff that keeps skin firm and smooth). Adenosine basically flips a switch on these cells that tells them to get to work making more collagen and other proteins. These cells slow down o…
  6. 06The clinical backing is pretty solid too.
  7. 07A blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 126 women aged 45-65 tested a 0.1% cream twice daily and found real improvements in crow's feet and frown lines using a precise 3D skin-mapping technique; these changes showed up by week 3 and held at…
  8. 08A later study using Adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches reported gains in wrinkle depth, dermal density, elasticity, and hydration.
  9. 09On concentrations, South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has set 0.04% as the approved functional anti-wrinkle level. You'll typically see this ingredient used somewhere in the 0.04-0.1% range since it works at low doses.
  10. 10This ingredient has been found safe for cosmetics with the data showing no irritation or sensitization.
  11. 11Overall, this is a great ingredient for any anti-aging routine and has no photosensitizing effect, so it suits both AM and PM use.
  12. 12Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
  13. 13Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
  14. 14Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
  15. 15Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
  16. 16This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
  17. 17On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
  18. 18One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too st…
  19. 19Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
  20. 20You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
02

Product index

Related product references

Product

Paula's Choice The Unscrub

Paula's Choice The Unscrub Paula's Choice The Unscrub ingredients explained: Aqua, Jojoba Esters (Cleansing Beads), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Skin-Replenishing), Glycerin (Skin Replenis…

Source: incidecoder.comView reference →
03

Comparison edit

Read side by side

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