Skin science article
Paula's Choice Moisture Boost One Step Face Cleanser Versus La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ Gentle Foaming Moisturizing Wash
Paula's Choice Moisture Boost One Step Face Cleanser Versus La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ Gentle Foaming Moisturizing Wash What's inside Key Ingredients Benefits Concerns Ingredients Side-by-side Water Sodium Laureth Sulfate Glycol Stearate Methyl Gluceth-20
Paula's Choice Moisture Boost One Step Face Cleanser Versus La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ Gentle Foaming Moisturizing Wash
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Glycol Stearate
Methyl Gluceth-20
Glyceryl Stearate
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Sodium PCA
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Caprylyl Glycol
Hexylene Glycol
Propylene Glycol
Citric Acid
Phytic Acid
Phenoxyethanol
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Glycol Stearate, Methyl Gluceth-20, Glyceryl Stearate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium PCA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Phytic Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Glycerin
Coco-Betaine
Polysorbate 20
PEG-200 Glyceryl Stearate
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Niacinamide
Mannose
Sodium Hydroxide
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Vitreoscilla Ferment
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Glycol Distearate
Acrylates Copolymer
Cocamide Mea
PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
Pentylene Glycol
Polyquaternium-11
Sodium Chloride
Sodium Benzoate
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Coco-Betaine, Polysorbate 20, PEG-200 Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Niacinamide, Mannose, Sodium Hydroxide, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Vitreoscilla Ferment, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycol Distearate, Acrylates Copolymer, Citric Acid, Cocamide Mea, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, Pentylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-11, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate
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Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.
However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.
SLES helps create foam in personal products. It also prevents ingredients from separating, helping to elongate the shelf life.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
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!