Skin science article
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores. This smoothing serum is formulated around Retinol
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores.
This smoothing serum is formulated around Retinol and Niacinamide to refine skin texture and fade the look of dark spots.
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
Propanediol
Dimethicone
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Niacinamide
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Potassium Phosphate
Ceramide NP
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP
Carbomer
Cetearyl Alcohol
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Dimethiconol
Lecithin
Sodium Citrate
Retinol
Sodium Hyaluronate
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
Cholesterol
Phenoxyethanol
Alcohol
Isopropyl Myristate
Caprylyl Glycol
Citric Acid
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Pentylene Glycol
Phytosphingosine
Xanthan Gum
Ethylhexylglycerin
Water, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Niacinamide, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Dimethiconol, Lecithin, Sodium Citrate, Retinol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Pentylene Glycol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin
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.
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!