Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Skin science article

Geek & Gorgeous C-Glow 15% Vitamin C Serum Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Geek & Gorgeous C-Glow 15% Vitamin C Serum Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Ferulic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and soften the look of wrinkles. This smoothing ex

Geek & Gorgeous C-Glow 15% Vitamin C Serum Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Ferulic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin 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

No concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Ascorbic Acid

Dimethyl Isosorbide

Butylene Glycol

PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin

Ferulic Acid

Tocopherol

Phenoxyethanol

Ethylhexylglycerin

Sodium Hydroxide

Water, Ascorbic Acid, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Butylene Glycol, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Ferulic Acid, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide

Methylpropanediol

Salicylic Acid

Polysorbate 20

Camellia Oleifera Leaf

Tetrasodium EDTA

Water, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Camellia Oleifera Leaf, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA

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.

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!

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 Side-by-side

  1. 01Water
  2. 02Glycerin
  3. 03Pentylene Glycol
  4. 04Hydrolyzed Yeast Extract
  5. 05Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
  6. 06Dimethicone
  7. 07Propanediol
  8. 08Ceramide AP
  9. 091,2-Hexanediol
  10. 10Glyceryl Glucoside
  11. 11Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-72 Amide
  12. 12Sh-Polypeptide-121
  13. 13Tridecapeptide-1
  14. 14Polyglucuronic Acid
  15. 15Sodium Hyaluronate
  16. 16C9-12 Alkane
  17. 17Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
  18. 18Polygonum Bistorta Root Extract
  19. 19Bacillus Ferment
  20. 20Lecithin
Source · skinsort.com
02

Product index

Related product references

03

Comparison edit

Read side by side