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Good Molecules BHA Clarify Gel Cream Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant

Good Molecules BHA Clarify Gel Cream Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant This acne moisturizer is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Centella Asiatica Extract to clear breakouts and refine the look of pores. This pore-care exfoliator i

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

Good Molecules BHA Clarify Gel Cream Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant

This acne moisturizer is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Centella Asiatica Extract to clear breakouts and refine the look of pores.

This pore-care exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Phytosphingosine to refine the look of pores and refine skin texture.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Propanediol

Diheptyl Succinate

Glycerin

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer

Salicylic Acid

Phenoxyethanol

Caprylyl Glycol

Tromethamine

Ethylhexylglycerin

Triethyl Citrate

Benzoic Acid

Allantoin

Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil

Bisabolol

Punica Granatum Seed Oil

Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil

Centella Asiatica Extract

Diglucosyl Gallic Acid

T-Butyl Alcohol

1,2-Hexanediol

Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Water, Propanediol, Diheptyl Succinate, Glycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Salicylic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethyl Citrate, Benzoic Acid, Allantoin, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Bisabolol, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, T-Butyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Methylpropanediol

Butylene Glycol

Polysorbate 20

Phytosphingosine

Hydroxyethylcellulose

Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract

Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract

Epilobium Angustifolium Extract

Tetrasodium EDTA

Sodium Hydroxide

Water, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Salicylic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Extract, Bisabolol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide

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.

Bisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.

It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.

A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.

In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.

You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.

Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.

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.

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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. 03Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
  4. 04What it does:
  5. 05Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
  6. 06Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
  7. 07Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
  8. 08This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
  9. 09Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
  10. 10Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
  11. 11Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
  12. 12Your 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.
  13. 13Aquaporin-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.
  14. 14This 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.
  15. 15Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
  16. 16Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
  17. 17Salicylic 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, …
  18. 18Unlike 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.
  19. 19Salicylic 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.
  20. 20Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
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