Skin science article
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant Versus RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Anti-Aging Facial Serum
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant Versus RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Anti-Aging Facial Serum This pore-care exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Phytosphingosine to refine the look of pores and refine skin texture. This a
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant Versus RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Anti-Aging Facial Serum
This pore-care exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Phytosphingosine to refine the look of pores and refine skin texture.
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Retinol and Ascorbic Acid to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture.
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
Cyclopentasiloxane
Glycerin
Tetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Dimethicone
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Nylon-12
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Tocopherol
Phenoxyethanol
Citric Acid
Pentylene Glycol
Laureth-23
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Parfum
Laureth-4
Methylparaben
Propylparaben
Disodium EDTA
Alanine
BHT
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Magnesium Aspartate
Zinc Gluconate
Retinol
Ascorbic Acid
Laureth-7
Copper Gluconate
CI 19140
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Tetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Nylon-12, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Laureth-23, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Parfum, Laureth-4, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Alanine, BHT, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Polysorbate 20, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Bisabolol, Retinol, Ascorbic Acid, Laureth-7, Copper Gluconate, CI 19140
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.
Bisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.
In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.
You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
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.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace 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).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
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!