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Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant Versus Oxecure Acne Clear Powder Mud

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant Versus Oxecure Acne Clear Powder Mud This pore-care exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Phytosphingosine to refine the look of pores and refine skin texture. This acne treatment is formulated a

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant Versus Oxecure Acne Clear Powder Mud

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

This acne treatment is formulated around Kaolin and Zinc Oxide to clear breakouts and balance excess oil.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

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

Kaolin

Titanium Dioxide

Zinc Oxide

Bentonite

Dipropylene Glycol

Isononyl Isononanoate

PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate

Alcohol Denat.

Ethoxydiglycol

Glycerin

Ethylhexyl Palmitate

Polysorbate 60

Cetearyl Alcohol

Glyceryl Stearate

Dimethicone

PEG-100 Stearate

Phenoxyethanol

Ceteth-10 Phosphate

Dicetyl Phosphate

Camphor

Chlorphenesin

Disodium EDTA

CI 77491

Niacinamide

Tocopheryl Acetate

Zinc PCA

Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Maltodextrin

BHT

Polysorbate 80

10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid

Sebacic Acid

1,10-Decanediol

Potassium Sorbate

Sodium Benzoate

Ethylhexylglycerin

Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Fucus Vesiculosus Extract

Isomerized Safflower Acid

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5

Ascorbic Acid

Beeswax

Benzalkonium Chloride

Palmitic Acid

Silica

Zinc Sulfate

Water, Kaolin, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Bentonite, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Alcohol Denat., Ethoxydiglycol, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polysorbate 60, Salicylic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Dicetyl Phosphate, Camphor, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, CI 77491, Niacinamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Zinc PCA, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Maltodextrin, BHT, Polysorbate 80, 10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid, Sebacic Acid, 1,10-Decanediol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Isomerized Safflower Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Ascorbic Acid, Beeswax, Benzalkonium Chloride, Palmitic Acid, Silica, Zinc Sulfate

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.

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.

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.

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. 03Adenosine is a purine nucleoside that your body already makes in every cell. In skincare, it acts mainly as a skin conditioning and anti-aging agent.
  4. 04The way it works is fairly well mapped out:
  5. 05Your skin has cells called fibroblasts that build collagen (the stuff that keeps skin firm and smooth). Adenosine basically flips a switch on these cells that tells them to get to work making more collagen and other proteins. These cells slow down o…
  6. 06The clinical backing is pretty solid too.
  7. 07A blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 126 women aged 45-65 tested a 0.1% cream twice daily and found real improvements in crow's feet and frown lines using a precise 3D skin-mapping technique; these changes showed up by week 3 and held at…
  8. 08A later study using Adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches reported gains in wrinkle depth, dermal density, elasticity, and hydration.
  9. 09On concentrations, South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has set 0.04% as the approved functional anti-wrinkle level. You'll typically see this ingredient used somewhere in the 0.04-0.1% range since it works at low doses.
  10. 10This ingredient has been found safe for cosmetics with the data showing no irritation or sensitization.
  11. 11Overall, this is a great ingredient for any anti-aging routine and has no photosensitizing effect, so it suits both AM and PM use.
  12. 12Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
  13. 13Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
  14. 14Though 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.
  15. 15Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
  16. 16Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
  17. 17In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
  18. 18While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
  19. 19Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
  20. 20This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
02

Product index

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03

Comparison edit

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