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Clarins One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser with Orange Extract Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Clarins One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser with Orange Extract Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant This oil-control exfoliator is formulated around Cellulose to balance excess oil. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Sali

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

Clarins One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser with Orange Extract Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

This oil-control exfoliator is formulated around Cellulose to balance excess oil.

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

Sodium Laureth Sulfate

Cetearyl Alcohol

Cellulose

Cocamidopropyl Betaine

Lauramide Mipa

Glycol Distearate

Cetearyl Glucoside

Glycerin

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Water

Silica

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Parfum

Phenoxyisopropanol

Sodium Chloride

Propylene Glycol

Sodium Hydroxide

Benzophenone-2

Butylparaben

Disodium EDTA

Methylchloroisothiazolinone

Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract

Methylisothiazolinone

Chlorphenesin

Ethylparaben

Methylparaben

BHT

Benzyl Salicylate

Butylphenyl Methylpropional

Limonene

Linalool

Geraniol

CI 15985

Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cellulose, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lauramide Mipa, Glycol Distearate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Water, Silica, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Parfum, Phenoxyisopropanol, Sodium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzophenone-2, Butylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Methylisothiazolinone, Chlorphenesin, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, BHT, Benzyl Salicylate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol, CI 15985

Methylpropanediol

Butylene Glycol

Salicylic Acid

Polysorbate 20

Camellia Oleifera Leaf

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.

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

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. 03Mandelic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA).
  4. 04Like other AHAs, it helps exfoliate the surface of the skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
  5. 05Mandelic acid helps with:
  6. 06Due to it having a larger molecular size than glycolic acid, mandelic acid is able to penetrate the skin more slowly and evenly. This makes it gentler and less irritating, making it a great option for sensitive or beginner skin.
  7. 07Despite being milder, mandelic acid is still an effective exfoliant that improves skin texture and tone over time.
  8. 08What makes mandelic acid stand out from other AHAs? It has antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
  9. 09These traits make it a great option for acne-prone or problem skin by reducing active breakouts and fading post-acne marks. Studies show that mandelic acid (especially when combined with salicylic acid) can significantly reduce pimples and hyperpigm…
  10. 10Mandelic acid is effective in concentrations of 5% and up with an ideal pH range of 3-4 for at-home use.
  11. 11Like other AHAs, it’s important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your newly exfoliated skin.
  12. 12However, unlike glycolic acid, mandelic acid is light-sensitive. Be sure your mandelic acid is packaged in opaque containers to ensure it stays stable and effective.
  13. 13In short, mandelic acid is a gentle yet powerful AHA that exfoliates, brightens, and helps clarify skin while keeping irritation low. Its antibacterial action makes it especially beneficial for those with acne-prone, sensitive, or uneven skin, offer…
  14. 14Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
  15. 15Water. 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.
  16. 16So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
  17. 17You'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!
  18. 18Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
  19. 19On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
  20. 20Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
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