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Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Kate Somerville Eradikate Acne Mark Fading Gel

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Kate Somerville Eradikate Acne Mark Fading Gel This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores. This brightening treatment is formul

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Kate Somerville Eradikate Acne Mark Fading Gel

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

This brightening treatment is formulated around Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and clear breakouts.

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

Coconut Alkanes

Pentylene Glycol

Niacinamide

Caprylyl Methicone

Glycerin

Propanediol

Cetearyl Olivate

Polysilicone-11

Potassium Cetyl Phosphate

Sorbitan Olivate

Carbomer

Microcitrus Australis Fruit Extract

Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract

Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract

Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract

Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract

Citrus Glauca Fruit Extract

Sodium Lactate

Phytosphingosine

Adenosine

Decyl Glucoside

1,2-Hexanediol

Sodium PCA

Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide

Maltodextrin

Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate

Aminomethyl Propanol

Caprylhydroxamic Acid

Zinc PCA

Thymol

Terpineol

Hexylene Glycol

Caprylyl Glycol

Polydextrose

Dextrin

Amylopectin

Lactobacillus Ferment

Phenoxyethanol

Disodium EDTA

Sodium Benzoate

Potassium Sorbate

Water, Coconut Alkanes, Pentylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Methicone, Glycerin, Propanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Polysilicone-11, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sorbitan Olivate, Carbomer, Microcitrus Australis Fruit Extract, Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Citrus Glauca Fruit Extract, Sodium Lactate, Phytosphingosine, Adenosine, Decyl Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium PCA, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Maltodextrin, Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate, Butylene Glycol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Polysorbate 20, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Zinc PCA, Thymol, Terpineol, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Polydextrose, Dextrin, Amylopectin, Lactobacillus Ferment, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate

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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.

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.

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.

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. 03Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
  4. 04Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
  5. 05In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
  6. 06While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
  7. 07Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
  8. 08This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
  9. 09This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures…
  10. 10Lecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
  11. 11Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
  12. 12It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
  13. 13Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
  14. 14It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
  15. 15On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
  16. 16Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
  17. 17You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
  18. 18Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
  19. 19Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
  20. 20Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
02

Product index

Related product references

Product

Paula's Choice Perfect Cleansing Oil

Paula's Choice Perfect Cleansing Oil Paula's Choice Perfect Cleansing Oil ingredients explained: Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Skin-Replenishing), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil (No…

Source: incidecoder.comView reference →
03

Comparison edit

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