Skin science article
Haruharu Wonder Centella 3% PHA Gentle Liquid Exfoliating Serum Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant
Haruharu Wonder Centella 3% PHA Gentle Liquid Exfoliating Serum Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Gluconolactone and Centella Asiatica Extract to refine skin
Haruharu Wonder Centella 3% PHA Gentle Liquid Exfoliating Serum Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant
This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Gluconolactone and Centella Asiatica Extract to refine skin texture and calm redness.
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
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Water
Gluconolactone
Centella Asiatica Extract
Asiatic Acid
Asiaticoside
Madecassic Acid
Madecassoside
Ectoin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Pueraria Lobata Root Extract
Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract
Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
1,2-Hexanediol
Arginine
Ethylhexylglycerin
Pentylene Glycol
Caprylyl Glycol
Butylene Glycol
Water, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Water, Gluconolactone, Centella Asiatica Extract, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside, Ectoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arginine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol
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
Hydroxyacetophenone
Sodium Phytate
Xanthan Gum
Citric Acid
Sodium Citrate
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.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
Emollient, helping to soften skin
Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
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!