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Danné Montague-King (DMK) Beta Gel Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant

Danné Montague-King (DMK) Beta Gel Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant This calming serum is formulated around Beta-Glucan and Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate to calm redness and strengthen the skin barrier. This pore-care exfoliator is for

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

Danné Montague-King (DMK) Beta Gel Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant

This calming serum is formulated around Beta-Glucan and Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate to calm redness and strengthen the skin barrier.

This pore-care exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Phytosphingosine to refine the look of pores and refine skin texture.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Glyceryl Polymethacrylate

Glycerin

Methyl Gluceth-20

Caprylyl Glycol

Beta-Glucan

Carbomer

Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract

Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil

Polysorbate 20

Dimethicone

Butylene Glycol

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7

Tocopherol

Curcuma Longa Root Extract

Matricaria Recutita Flower Oil

Potassium Sorbate

Chloroxylenol

Water, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Caprylyl Glycol, Beta-Glucan, Carbomer, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Polysorbate 20, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Tocopherol, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Matricaria Recutita Flower Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Chloroxylenol

Methylpropanediol

Salicylic Acid

Phytosphingosine

Hydroxyethylcellulose

Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract

Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract

Epilobium Angustifolium Extract

Bisabolol

Tetrasodium EDTA

Sodium Hydroxide

Water, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Salicylic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Extract, Bisabolol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide

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Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Though 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.

Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.

It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.

The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.

Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).

True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.

Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.

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. 03Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
  4. 04Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
  5. 05Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
  6. 06Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
  7. 07Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
  8. 08It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
  9. 09Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
  10. 10A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
  11. 11Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
  12. 12What it does:
  13. 13Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
  14. 14Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
  15. 15Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
  16. 16This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
  17. 17Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
  18. 18Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
  19. 19This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
  20. 20On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
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