Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Skin science article

Patchology PoshPeel Pedicure Versus Paula's Choice Clear Acne Body Spray

Patchology PoshPeel Pedicure Versus Paula's Choice Clear Acne Body Spray What's inside Key Ingredients Benefits Concerns Ingredients Side-by-side Glycolic Acid Salicylic Acid Lactic Acid Citric Acid Water Alcohol Denat. Propyl Alcohol Dimethyl Sulfone Propylen

Patchology PoshPeel Pedicure Versus Paula's Choice Clear Acne Body Spray

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Glycolic Acid

Salicylic Acid

Lactic Acid

Citric Acid

Water

Alcohol Denat.

Propyl Alcohol

Dimethyl Sulfone

Propylene Glycol

Benzyl Alcohol

Panthenol

Phenoxyethanol

PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Butylene Glycol

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract

Citrus Limon Fruit Extract

Centella Asiatica Extract

Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract

Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract

1,2-Hexanediol

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract

Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract

Sodium Hyaluronate

Ethylhexylglycerin

Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Water, Alcohol Denat., Propyl Alcohol, Dimethyl Sulfone, Propylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin

Dipropylene Glycol

Polysorbate 20

Pentylene Glycol

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Berberis Vulgaris Root Extract

Lauric Acid

Allantoin

Glycerin

PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer

Methyl Gluceth-20

Glycereth-26

Sodium Hydroxide

Sodium Metabisulfite

Disodium EDTA

Potassium Sorbate

Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Pentylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Berberis Vulgaris Root Extract, Lauric Acid, Allantoin, Glycerin, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Methyl Gluceth-20, Glycereth-26, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Metabisulfite, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate

Reviews

Be the first to review

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.

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.

One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.

Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.

Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.

Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.

Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.

There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.

D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.

Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):

Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.

This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.

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 Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.

In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.

Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:

Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.

Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.

You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.

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. 10Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
  11. 11There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
  12. 12D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
  13. 13Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
  14. 14Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
  15. 15This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
  16. 16Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
  17. 17This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
  18. 18Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
  19. 19In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
  20. 20Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Source · skinsort.com
02

Product index

Related product references

03

Comparison edit

Read side by side