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FaceTheory Clarifying Cleanser C2 Pro Versus Paula's Choice Oil-Absorbing Mask

FaceTheory Clarifying Cleanser C2 Pro Versus Paula's Choice Oil-Absorbing Mask This acne exfoliator is formulated around Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and refine skin texture. This wash off mask is made with Kaolin and Bentonite for a rin

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

FaceTheory Clarifying Cleanser C2 Pro Versus Paula's Choice Oil-Absorbing Mask

This acne exfoliator is formulated around Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and refine skin texture.

This wash off mask is made with Kaolin and Bentonite for a rinse-off oil-control boost.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Propanediol

Glycolic Acid 4%

Cetyl Alcohol

Glyceryl Stearate

Salicylic Acid 2%

Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate

Sodium Glycolate

Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract

Lactic Acid 1%

Sodium Salicylate

Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose

Glyceryl Caprylate

Sodium Lactate

Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate

Citric Acid

Potassium Sorbate

Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil 0.97%

Water, Propanediol, Glycolic Acid 4%, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Salicylic Acid 2%, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Sodium Glycolate, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Lactic Acid 1%, Sodium Salicylate, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Lactate, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil 0.97%

Kaolin

Bentonite

Glycerin

Salix Alba Extract

Stearic Acid

Steareth-2

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder

Sea Whip Extract

Colloidal Oatmeal

Bisabolol

Ascorbyl Palmitate

Tocopheryl Acetate

Phospholipids

Panthenol

Retinyl Palmitate

Caprylyl Glycol

Butylene Glycol

Ethylhexylglycerin

Hexylene Glycol

Disodium EDTA

Phenoxyethanol

Water, Kaolin, Bentonite, Glycerin, Salix Alba Extract, Stearic Acid, Steareth-2, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Sea Whip Extract, Colloidal Oatmeal, Bisabolol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phospholipids, Panthenol, Retinyl Palmitate, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol

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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.

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
& 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. 03Avena Sativa Kernel Extract is is derived from colloidal oatmeal. Besides being a healthy breakfast, oats have many benefits in skincare too.
  4. 04This ingredient helps sooth, hydrate, and protect the skin. The starches in colloidal oatmeal are able to bind water, keeping the skin hydrated.
  5. 05The cellulose and fiber in colloidal oatmeal help reduce inflammation. This can also help the skin feel softer.
  6. 06Colloidal Oatmeal is also an antioxidant. Antioxidants protect our skin from free-radical damage.
  7. 07Oatmeal also contains beneficial compounds:
  8. 08This ingredient is created by mixing grounded oatmeal and a liquid base.
  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. 16Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
  17. 17Its main roles are:
  18. 18Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
  19. 19The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
  20. 20This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
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