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Dermalogica Multivitamin Thermafoliant Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Dermalogica Multivitamin Thermafoliant Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Retinol and Lactic Acid to refine skin texture and soften the look of wrinkles. This smoothing exfoliator is for

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

Dermalogica Multivitamin Thermafoliant Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Retinol and Lactic Acid to refine skin texture and soften the look of wrinkles.

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

PEG-6

Sodium Bicarbonate

Jojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters

Disteareth-100 Ipdi

Cellulose

Silica

Synthetic Wax

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Retinol

Lactic Acid

Salicylic Acid

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Glycine Soja Oil

Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil

Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil

Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil

Citrus Limon Peel Oil

Rosa Damascena Flower Oil

Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Oil

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil

Cymbopogon Martini Oil

Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Nut/Stem Oil

Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract

Bixa Orellana Seed Oil

Citrus Limon Peel Extract

Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil

Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil

Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters

Tocopherol

Caprylyl Glycol

BHT

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Saccharide Isomerate

Water

1,2-Hexanediol

Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate

Beheneth-5

Citric Acid

Sodium Citrate

Linalool

Eugenol

Citronellol

Limonene

Geraniol

PEG-6, Sodium Bicarbonate, Jojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters, Disteareth-100 Ipdi, Cellulose, Silica, Synthetic Wax, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Retinol, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Glycine Soja Oil, Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Nut/Stem Oil, Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Bixa Orellana Seed Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, BHT, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Saccharide Isomerate, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Beheneth-5, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Linalool, Eugenol, Citronellol, Limonene, Geraniol

Methylpropanediol

Butylene Glycol

Polysorbate 20

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.

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. 03Bisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
  4. 04It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
  5. 05A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.
  6. 06In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.
  7. 07You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.
  8. 08Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
  9. 09Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
  10. 10Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
  11. 11In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
  12. 12While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
  13. 13Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
  14. 14This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
  15. 15This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures…
  16. 16Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
  17. 17The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure …
  18. 18Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
  19. 19Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
  20. 20You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damag…
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
02

Product index

Related product references

03

Comparison edit

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