Dermalogica Powerbright Dark Spot Peel Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant

Dermalogica Powerbright Dark Spot Peel Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant

This brightening treatment is formulated around Glycolic Acid and Niacinamide to fade the look of dark spots and refine skin texture.

This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Mandelic Acid and Lactic Acid to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Glycerin

Butylene Glycol

Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate

Glycolic Acid

Polysorbate 20

Niacinamide

C12-18 Alkanoyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer

Gluconolactone

Phytic Acid

Mandelic Acid

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Elaeis Guineensis Butter

Sodium Hydroxide

Tetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine

Hectorite

Behenyl Alcohol

Arachidyl Alcohol

Tranexamic Acid

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil

Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil

Citrus Limon Peel Oil

Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil

Ricinus Communis Seed Oil

Zingiber Officinale Root Oil

Lavandula Angustifolia Oil

Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract

Vanilla Planifolia Fruit

Viola Odorata Leaf Extract

Cocos Nucifera Oil

Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate

Peat Extract

Juniperus Virginiana Oil

Curcuma Longa Root Extract

Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil

Isochrysis Galbana Extract

Nannochloropsis Gaditana Extract

Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract

Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil

Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract

Tocopherol

Squalene

Phosphatidylcholine

Caprylyl Glycol

Lecithin

Glyceryl Stearate

Lauryl Alcohol

Ethoxydiglycol

Arachidyl Glucoside

Palmitic Acid

Myristyl Alcohol

Bisabolol

Polyquaternium-80

Didecyldimonium Chloride

Beta-Sitosterol

Dipteryx Odorata Seed Extract

Xanthan Gum

Methylpropanediol

Cetyl Alcohol

Titanium Dioxide

Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate

Citric Acid

Stearic Acid

Hydroxyethylcellulose

Cistus Ladaniferus Resin

Styrax Benzoin Resin Extract

Sodium Benzoate

Potassium Sorbate

Limonene

Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate, Glycolic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Niacinamide, C12-18 Alkanoyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Gluconolactone, Phytic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Elaeis Guineensis Butter, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine, Hectorite, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Tranexamic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit, Viola Odorata Leaf Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Peat Extract, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Isochrysis Galbana Extract, Nannochloropsis Gaditana Extract, Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract, Tocopherol, Squalene, Phosphatidylcholine, Caprylyl Glycol, Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate, Lauryl Alcohol, Ethoxydiglycol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Palmitic Acid, Myristyl Alcohol, Bisabolol, Polyquaternium-80, Didecyldimonium Chloride, Beta-Sitosterol, Dipteryx Odorata Seed Extract, Xanthan Gum, Methylpropanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Titanium Dioxide, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citric Acid, Stearic Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Cistus Ladaniferus Resin, Styrax Benzoin Resin Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene

2,3-Butanediol

Lactic Acid

Myrica Cerifera Fruit Extract

Akebia Quinata Stem Extract

Prunus Lannesiana Flower Extract

Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate

Saccharomyces Lysate

Achillea Millefolium Extract

Saccharide Isomerate

Arginine

Hydroxyacetophenone

Sodium Phytate

Pentylene Glycol

Sodium Citrate

1,2-Hexanediol

Water, 2,3-Butanediol, Mandelic Acid, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Myrica Cerifera Fruit Extract, Akebia Quinata Stem Extract, Prunus Lannesiana Flower Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Saccharomyces Lysate, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Arginine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate

Reviews

Be the first to review

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.

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.

Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.

Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).

Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.

Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.

However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.

Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.

In skincare formulas, citric acid can:

While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.

Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.

Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.

However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.

Mandelic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA).

Like 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.

Mandelic acid helps with:

Due 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.

Despite being milder, mandelic acid is still an effective exfoliant that improves skin texture and tone over time.

What makes mandelic acid stand out from other AHAs? It has antibacterial and antioxidant properties.

These 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 hyperpigmentation while causing fewer side effects than stronger acids.

Mandelic acid is effective in concentrations of 5% and up with an ideal pH range of 3-4 for at-home use.

Like other AHAs, it’s important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your newly exfoliated skin.

However, 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.

In 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, offering smoother, clearer, and more even-toned results over time.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.

Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.

It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.

Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.

We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.

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!

Xanthan 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.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan 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.

Similar Comparisons