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Glad2Glow AHA BHA PHA Intensive Peeling Solution Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Glad2Glow AHA BHA PHA Intensive Peeling Solution Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Glycolic Acid and Niacinamide to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin. This smoothing ex

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

Glad2Glow AHA BHA PHA Intensive Peeling Solution Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

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

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

Water

Glycerin

Glycereth-26

Glycolic Acid

PEG-12 Dimethicone

Polysorbate 20

Niacinamide

PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer

Dipropylene Glycol

Lactic Acid

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water

Potassium Hydroxide

PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Phenoxyethanol

Citric Acid

Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin

Salicylic Acid

Cellulose Gum

Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6

Xanthan Gum

Inositol

1,2-Hexanediol

Beta Vulgaris Root Extract

Dipeptide-15

Hydroxyacetophenone

Parfum

Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract

Maltodextrin

Gluconolactone

O-Cymen-5-Ol

Ethylhexylglycerin

Butylene Glycol

Polyquaternium-51

Pentylene Glycol

Beta-Glucan

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Zinc PCA

Sodium Hyaluronate

Fomes Officinalis Extract

Propanediol

Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract

Sodium Lactate

Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract

Sucrose

Urea

Sodium Citrate

Tartaric Acid

Malic Acid

Quaternium-73

Water, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Glycolic Acid, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Polysorbate 20, Niacinamide, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Dipropylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Potassium Hydroxide, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Salicylic Acid, Cellulose Gum, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Xanthan Gum, Inositol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Dipeptide-15, Hydroxyacetophenone, Parfum, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Maltodextrin, Gluconolactone, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-51, Pentylene Glycol, Beta-Glucan, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Zinc PCA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Fomes Officinalis Extract, Propanediol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Sodium Lactate, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Sucrose, Urea, Sodium Citrate, Tartaric Acid, Malic Acid, Quaternium-73

Methylpropanediol

Camellia Oleifera Leaf

Sodium Hydroxide

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.

Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.

It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.

The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.

Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).

True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.

Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.

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!

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 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. 03Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
  4. 04Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
  5. 05Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
  6. 06Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
  7. 07This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
  8. 08Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
  9. 09Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
  10. 10Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
  11. 11It’s often used to:
  12. 12Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
  13. 13Sodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
  14. 14Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
  15. 15Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
  16. 16You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damag…
  17. 17Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
  18. 18It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
  19. 19This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
  20. 20This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
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Comparison edit

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