Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Skin science article

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Geek & Gorgeous Smooth Out

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Geek & Gorgeous Smooth Out This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Glycolic

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Geek & Gorgeous Smooth Out

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

This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid 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

Glycolic Acid

Lactic Acid

Glycerin

Methyl Gluceth-20

Galactoarabinan

Panthenol

Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer

Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract

Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract

Xylitylglucoside

Anhydroxylitol

Xylitol

Pentylene Glycol

Glucose

Ethylhexylglycerin

Sodium Benzoate

Potassium Benzoate

Phenoxyethanol

Water, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Galactoarabinan, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Pentylene Glycol, Glucose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol

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.

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

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 Side-by-side

  1. 01Water
  2. 02Sodium Lauroamphoacetate
  3. 03Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
  4. 04Stearic Acid
  5. 05Glycerin
  6. 06Glycol Distearate
  7. 07Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
  8. 08Acrylates Copolymer
  9. 09Cetearyl Alcohol
  10. 10Sodium Hyaluronate
  11. 11Ceramide NP
  12. 12Ceramide AP
  13. 13Ceramide EOP
  14. 14Phytosphingosine
  15. 15Phospholipids
  16. 16Sphingolipids
  17. 17Lecithin
  18. 18Arginine
  19. 19Cholesterol
  20. 20Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Source · skinsort.com
02

Product index

Related product references

03

Comparison edit

Read side by side