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Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Acure Brightening Facial Scrub

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Acure Brightening Facial Scrub This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Gluco

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Acure Brightening Facial Scrub

This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores.

This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Gluconolactone to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Methylpropanediol

Butylene Glycol

Salicylic Acid

Polysorbate 20

Camellia Oleifera Leaf

Sodium Hydroxide

Tetrasodium EDTA

Water, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Camellia Oleifera Leaf, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA

Glycerin

Juglans Regia Shell Powder

Citrus Limon Peel

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate

Laminaria Digitata Extract

Montmorillonite

Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract

Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract

Rosa Canina Fruit Extract

Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract

Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract

Punica Granatum Extract

Olea Europaea Fruit Oil

Argania Spinosa Callus Culture Extract

Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil

Salvia Officinalis Oil

Cymbopogon Flexuosus Leaf Oil

Lavandula Hybrida Oil

Sodium PCA

Kaolin

Lecithin

Isomalt

Cellulose Gum

Carrageenan

Glyceryl Laurate

Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate

Sodium Lauroamphoacetate

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate

Illite

Gluconolactone

Ethylhexylglycerin

Potassium Sorbate

Phenethyl Alcohol

Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex

Water, Glycerin, Juglans Regia Shell Powder, Citrus Limon Peel, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Montmorillonite, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Argania Spinosa Callus Culture Extract, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Cymbopogon Flexuosus Leaf Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Sodium PCA, Kaolin, Lecithin, Isomalt, Cellulose Gum, Carrageenan, Glyceryl Laurate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Illite, Gluconolactone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex

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.

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. 03This ingredient is a preservative and often used for it's anti-static properties. You'll most likely see this ingredient in hair conditioners.
  4. 04It does not cause irritation or sensitization in leave-on products at 1-5%.
  5. 05Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
  6. 06Like 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.
  7. 07However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
  8. 08Due 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.
  9. 09In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
  10. 10While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
  11. 11Most 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.
  12. 12Rosacea 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.
  13. 13However, 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…
  14. 14Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
  15. 15This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
  16. 16On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
  17. 17One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too st…
  18. 18Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
  19. 19You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
  20. 20Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
02

Product index

Related product references

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03

Comparison edit

Read side by side

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