Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Skin science article

Nø Cosmetics Liquid Refiner Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant

Nø Cosmetics Liquid Refiner Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Resveratrol to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores. This pore-care exfoliator is formulated ar

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

Nø Cosmetics Liquid Refiner Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant

This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Resveratrol to refine skin texture 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

Propylene Glycol

Pentylene Glycol

Salicylic Acid

Succinic Acid

Sodium PCA

Resveratrol

Epigallocatechin Gallate

Phospholipids

Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate

Superoxide Dismutase

Xanthan Gum

Phytic Acid

Sodium Hydroxide

Water, Propylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Succinic Acid, Sodium PCA, Resveratrol, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Phospholipids, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Superoxide Dismutase, Xanthan Gum, Phytic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide

Methylpropanediol

Butylene Glycol

Polysorbate 20

Phytosphingosine

Hydroxyethylcellulose

Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract

Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract

Epilobium Angustifolium Extract

Bisabolol

Tetrasodium EDTA

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.

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.

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 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. 03Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
  4. 04It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
  5. 05The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
  6. 06Trace 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).
  7. 07True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
  8. 08Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
  9. 09Retinol is one of the most studied anti-aging ingredients in skincare (and for good reason!).
  10. 10It's a form of vitamin A that your skin converts into Retinoic Acid, the active molecule that actually does the work in your cells.
  11. 11That conversion happens in two steps: your skin first turns Retinol into Retinaldehyde (also called Retinal), then turns Retinaldehyde into Retinoic Acid.
  12. 12Retinol is converted to biologically active retinoic acid via retinaldehyde by dehydrogenases in a two-step oxidation process.
  13. 13Each step is a little "upgrade" toward the active form which is part of why Retinol is gentler than prescription Retinoic Acid; your skin does the work gradually. This also explains where Retinol sits in the retinoid family.
  14. 14Here is the retinoid family ranked roughly by strength: Retinyl Esters (like Retinyl Palmitate) < Retinol < Retinaldehyde < Retinoic Acid.
  15. 15Retinoid activity increases in that order, while tolerance runs in reverse; retinyl esters are the gentlest and retinoic acid the most irritating.
  16. 16The more conversion steps an ingredient needs, the gentler (and slower) it tends to be, so Retinol lands in a nice middle spot. It's more effective than the esters, gentler than prescription options.
  17. 17Once it becomes Retinoic Acid, it binds to receptors inside your cells' nuclei (called RARs and RXRs). These receptor pairs bind to specific DNA motifs called retinoic acid response elements and act like switches that turn certain genes on or off.
  18. 18In practice, this means a few things happen in a formula. It:
  19. 19That last two are worth a closer look.
  20. 20A study that tested Retinol directly (not just prescription Retinoic Acid) found that four weeks of retinol thickened the epidermis and switched on the genes for Collagen I and Collagen III, with more procollagen I and III showing up in the skin. An…
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
02

Product index

Related product references

Product

Paula's Choice Pc4Men Daytime Protect

Paula's Choice Pc4Men Daytime Protect Paula's Choice Pc4Men Daytime Protect ingredients explained: Avobenzone (3%), Homosalate (7%), Octocrylene (2%), Oxybenzone (4%), Water (Aqua), Butylen…

Source: incidecoder.comView reference →

Product

Paula's Choice C25 Super Booster

Paula's Choice C25 Super Booster Paula's Choice C25 Super Booster ingredients explained: Cyclopentasiloxane (Hydration), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C/Antioxidant), Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate (E…

Source: incidecoder.comView reference →
03

Comparison edit

Read side by side

Continue reading

Related articles