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Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Kate Somerville Liquid ExfoliKate® Triple Acid Resurfacing Treatment

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Kate Somerville Liquid ExfoliKate® Triple Acid Resurfacing Treatment This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores. This smoothing

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Kate Somerville Liquid ExfoliKate® Triple Acid Resurfacing Treatment

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

This smoothing treatment is formulated around Lactic Acid and Glycolic 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

Pelargonium Graveolens Flower/Leaf/Stem Water

Lactic Acid

Glycolic Acid

Propanediol

Phytic Acid

Glycerin

Papain

Boswellia Serrata Extract

Mel Extract

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Aspalathus Linearis Extract

Bromelain

Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract

Tetrapeptide-14

Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate

Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate

1,2-Hexanediol

Citric Acid

Malic Acid

Tartaric Acid

Caprylhydroxamic Acid

Phenoxyethanol

Sodium Benzoate

Maltodextrin

Citronellol

Geraniol

Linalool

Water, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower/Leaf/Stem Water, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycolic Acid, Propanediol, Phytic Acid, Glycerin, Papain, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Mel Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Bromelain, Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract, Tetrapeptide-14, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Maltodextrin, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool

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.

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.

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 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. 03Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is an oil-soluble used to absorb the full spectrum of UVA rays (peak 357 nm).
  4. 04It's one of the most effective UVA filters available but has a major caveat of photostability: avobenzone is susceptible to photodegradation.
  5. 05This means it can lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight without the help of a stabilizing agent.
  6. 06Studies show antioxidants (like vitamin E or vitamin C) and some UV filters (like octocrylene and Tinosorb S) can meaningfully improve its stability in a formulation.
  7. 07The maximum allowable concentration according to regulation is 3% in the US + Canada, and 5% in the EU, Australia, China, Korea, and ASEAN countries.
  8. 08It has a well-support safety profile: a comprehensive 2025 review found minimal toxicity with no evidence of carcinogenicity.
  9. 09Overall, avobenzone is a safe and regulated ingredient used in sunscreen for over 40 years.
  10. 10Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
  11. 11Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
  12. 12Though 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.
  13. 13Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
  14. 14This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
  15. 15On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
  16. 16One 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…
  17. 17Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
  18. 18You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
  19. 19Ethylhexyl Salicylate (also called Octisalate or Octyl Salicylate) is an oil-soluble organic UV filter that's been used in sunscreen since the 1950's.
  20. 20It absorbs UVB light in the 280-320 nm range with a peak absorbance around 306 nm.
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
02

Product index

Related product references

03

Comparison edit

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