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Skin science article

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

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

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

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

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

Camellia Oleifera Leaf

Sodium Hydroxide

Tetrasodium EDTA

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

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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.

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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. 03Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
  4. 04What it does:
  5. 05Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
  6. 06Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
  7. 07Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
  8. 08This 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.
  9. 09Note: 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.
  10. 10Squalane is the hydrogenated and shelf-stable form of squalene (a lipid that naturally occurs in human sebum).
  11. 11It is an emollient and skin conditioning agent that is able to integrate seamlessly into the skin's lipid barrier without clogging pores.
  12. 12This is due to how structurally similar it is to what your skin already produces.
  13. 13Though it is mostly an emollient that helps soften and hydrate skin, it also has some humectant and occlusive action. Humectants help the skin retain moisture while occlusives seal it in, making squalane a triple-threat moisturizer.
  14. 14Research shows it has antioxidant capabilities that help protect against stressors like UV exposure, specifically UVA induced oxidative stress. This study also found that it supports collagen biosynthesis in human dermal fibroblasts.
  15. 15No clinical study has reported significant adverse effects and irritation reactions are very rare from this ingredient (even at 100% concentration).
  16. 16Overall, it's a fantastic ingredient for hydration and is suitable for all skin types.
  17. 17This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
  18. 18Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
  19. 19Read more about squalene with an "e".
  20. 20Though squalane is often called an oil, it’s technically not one. It is a hydrocarbon, meaning it is only made of carbon and hydrogen. True oils are triglycerides and made of fatty acids and glycerol.
Source · skinsort.com
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Product index

Related product references

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Comparison edit

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