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Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus heimish Refresh Water Clean Up Peeling Toner

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus heimish Refresh Water Clean Up Peeling Toner This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores. This smoothing toner is formulated aro

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus heimish Refresh Water Clean Up Peeling Toner

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

This smoothing toner is formulated around Rosa Damascena Flower Water and Citric Acid to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores.

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

PEG-7 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides

Pentylene Glycol

Rosa Damascena Flower Water

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract

Xylitol

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil

Lavandula Angustifolia Oil

Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil

Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil

Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil

Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil

Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil

Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil

Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil

Phenoxyethanol

Glycerin

PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Decyl Glucoside

1,2-Hexanediol

Sodium Chloride

Ethylhexylglycerin

Sodium Citrate

Citric Acid

Octanediol

Ethyl Hexanediol

Centella Asiatica Extract

Boswellia Carterii Oil

Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil

Juniperus Mexicana Oil

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Myristica Fragrans Kernel Oil

Tagetes Minuta Flower Oil

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract

Lupinus Albus Seed Extract

Origanum Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract

Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract

Thymus Vulgaris Extract

Aesculus Hippocastanum Bark Extract

Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract

Echinacea Purpurea Extract

Juniperus Communis Fruit Extract

Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract

Saponaria Officinalis Leaf/Root Extract

Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract

Maltodextrin

Tocopherol

Lavandula Angustifolia Extract

Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, PEG-7 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Pentylene Glycol, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Xylitol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Decyl Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Octanediol, Ethyl Hexanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Boswellia Carterii Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Myristica Fragrans Kernel Oil, Tagetes Minuta Flower Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, Origanum Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Bark Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Juniperus Communis Fruit Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf/Root Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract, Salicylic Acid, Maltodextrin, Tocopherol, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract

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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.

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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. 03Bakuchiol is a plant-derived antioxidant from the seeds of the Psoralea corylifolia plant. It has antimicrobial, emollient, skin conditioning, and antioxidant properties.
  4. 04You'll likely see it called a "retinol replacement" but the two are technically not related. This is because bakuchiol is able to flip many of the same switches in your skin cells to tell them to:
  5. 051) produce more collagen (type I, III, and IV) 2) activate the same genes retinoids do
  6. 06Unlike retinoids, this ingredient will not increase photosensitivity and is safe to use during pregnancy (but please still check in with your doctor!).
  7. 07The flagship clinical trial from Dhaliwal et al. 2019 found 0.5% bakuchiol (twice daily) and 0.5% retinol (once daily) reduced wrinkles and hyperpigmentation equally, but bakuchiol had significantly less irritation.
  8. 08Systematic reviews also back this up:
  9. 09Bakuchiol is comparable to retinol for photoaging but with better tolerability. It also has mild antibacterial properties against Cutibacterium acnes and antifungal activity in vitro against Candida and dermatophytes.
  10. 10The reason bakuchiol works well is due to its structure; it is a meroterpene phenol, or a hybrid molecule. The phenol half acts as an antioxidant while the terpene half is fat-loving. This helps the molecule slip through the skin barrier.
  11. 11This ingredient is usually used between 0.5-2%. Only one case of contact dermatitis has ever been reported for this ingredient.
  12. 12Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
  13. 13Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
  14. 14Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
  15. 15Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
  16. 16Like 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.
  17. 17However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
  18. 18Due 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.
  19. 19In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
  20. 20While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
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