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CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant This mild gel cleanser is made to cleanse while respecting your skin barrier. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

This mild gel cleanser is made to cleanse while respecting your skin barrier.

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

Water

Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine

Glycerin

Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate

PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate

Niacinamide

PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides

Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate

Propylene Glycol

Ceramide NP

Ceramide AP

Ceramide EOP

Carbomer

Methylparaben

Sodium Chloride

Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate

Cholesterol

Disodium EDTA

Propylparaben

Citric Acid

Tetrasodium EDTA

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Phytosphingosine

Xanthan Gum

Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Niacinamide, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Propylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Methylparaben, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Disodium EDTA, Propylparaben, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum

Methylpropanediol

Butylene Glycol

Salicylic Acid

Polysorbate 20

Camellia Oleifera Leaf

Sodium Hydroxide

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.

Tetrasodium EDTA is the salt formed from neutralizing ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. It is a chelating agent and used to prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps keep the product and ingredients stable.

Tetrasodium EDTA comes as a white solid and is soluble in water.

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. 03Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
  4. 04Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
  5. 05Though 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.
  6. 06Glycolic Acid is arguably the most famous alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with tons of research backing its benefits.
  7. 07It is found naturally in sugar cane but the form used in skincare is usually synthetic for purity and stability.
  8. 08Glycolic acid removes the top layer of dead skin cells to allow newer and fresher ones to emerge.
  9. 09AHAs work by breaking down the structural “glue” that holds old skin cells in place. When that buildup is gone, your skin can renew itself more efficiently.
  10. 10Research also shows glycolic acid stimulates collagen production, helping to firm and thicken the skin over time. This is one of its biggest advantages over other AHAs.
  11. 11Overall, glycolic acid helps with:
  12. 12Fun fact: Glycolic acid boosts skin hydration by helping it produce molecules that increase hyaluronic acid naturally.
  13. 13To work best, glycolic acid products should have a pH between 3-4 (that’s where exfoliation is most effective but still gentle on skin).
  14. 14The pH and concentration of a product are key to its effectiveness:
  15. 15It is normal to feel a slight stinging sensation when using glycolic acid. This usually fades as your skin adjusts.
  16. 16Because glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size in the AHA family, it can penetrate deeper, which enhances its effectiveness but also makes it more likely to irritate sensitive skin.
  17. 17If your skin is very sensitive or prone to rosacea, glycolic acid may be too strong; in that case, try milder options like lactic acid or a PHA instead.
  18. 18Recent studies suggest glycolic acid might even help protect against UV damage. But don’t skip sunscreen! Freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to the sun.
  19. 19Glycolic acid is a skincare superstar. It smooths, brightens, hydrates, and firms the skin. Unless you’re highly sensitive, it’s well worth adding to your routine.
  20. 20Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
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Comparison edit

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