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Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta 2% BHA Breakout Solution Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta 2% BHA Breakout Solution Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant This acne treatment is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Gluconolactone to clear breakouts and refine the look of pores. This smoothi

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta 2% BHA Breakout Solution Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

This acne treatment is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Gluconolactone to clear breakouts and refine the look of pores.

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

Salicylic Acid 2%

Water

Alcohol Denat.

Propylene Glycol

Gluconolactone

Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate

Lactic Acid

Pyruvic Acid

Phytic Acid

Azelaic Acid

Salix Alba Bark Extract

Carnitine Hcl

Xylitol

Caprylic Acid

Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate

Farnesol

Tetrahydrocurcumin

Chlorhexidine Digluconate

Soy Isoflavones

Saccharide Isomerate

Zinc PCA

Sodium Hyaluronate

Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate

Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate

PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate

Glyceryl Stearate

Hexylresorcinol

Dimethyl Isosorbide

Propanediol

C13-15 Alkane

Potassium Hydroxide

Stearic Acid

Citric Acid

Calcium Gluconate

Sodium Citrate

Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water

Phenoxyethanol

Sodium Benzoate

Potassium Sorbate

Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Alcohol Denat., Propylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Lactic Acid, Pyruvic Acid, Phytic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Carnitine Hcl, Xylitol, Caprylic Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Farnesol, Tetrahydrocurcumin, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Soy Isoflavones, Saccharide Isomerate, Zinc PCA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Hexylresorcinol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Propanediol, C13-15 Alkane, Potassium Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Citric Acid, Calcium Gluconate, Sodium Citrate, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate

Methylpropanediol

Butylene Glycol

Salicylic Acid

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!

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The reference edit

Ingredients, questions
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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. 03Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
  4. 04It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
  5. 05On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
  6. 06Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
  7. 07You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
  8. 08Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
  9. 09Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
  10. 10Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
  11. 11Squalane is the hydrogenated and shelf-stable form of squalene (a lipid that naturally occurs in human sebum).
  12. 12It is an emollient and skin conditioning agent that is able to integrate seamlessly into the skin's lipid barrier without clogging pores.
  13. 13This is due to how structurally similar it is to what your skin already produces.
  14. 14Though 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.
  15. 15Research 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.
  16. 16No clinical study has reported significant adverse effects and irritation reactions are very rare from this ingredient (even at 100% concentration).
  17. 17Overall, it's a fantastic ingredient for hydration and is suitable for all skin types.
  18. 18This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
  19. 19Please 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.
  20. 20Read more about squalene with an "e".
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
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