Dr. Idriss The Depuffer Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant

Dr. Idriss The Depuffer Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant

This calming serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract to calm redness and strengthen the skin barrier.

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

Niacinamide

Glycerin

Pentylene Glycol

Butylene Glycol

Propanediol

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Squalane

Arnica Montana Flower Extract

Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract

Fraxinus Excelsior Bark Extract

Agastache Mexicana Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract

Avena Sativa Kernel Extract

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid

Maltodextrin

Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Silanetriol

Sorbitan Isostearate

Polysorbate 60

Caprylyl Glycol

Hexylene Glycol

Ethylhexylglycerin

Phenoxyethanol

Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Fraxinus Excelsior Bark Extract, Agastache Mexicana Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Maltodextrin, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Silanetriol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol

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

Sodium Phytate

Xanthan Gum

Citric Acid

Sodium Citrate

1,2-Hexanediol

Sodium Benzoate

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

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).

Pentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:

Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.

On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.

Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.

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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