Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner

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

This calming toner is formulated around Allantoin and Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract to calm redness and hydrate skin.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

No 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

Propylene Glycol

Phenoxyethanol

Sodium PCA

Sodium Benzoate

Allantoin

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract

Chamomilla Recutita Extract

Glucose

Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder

Camphor

Urtica Dioica Extract

Equisetum Arvense Extract

Betula Alba Leaf Extract

CI 19140

Potassium Sorbate

CI 14700

CI 42090

Citric Acid

Water, Propanediol, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium PCA, Sodium Benzoate, Allantoin, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Glucose, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Camphor, Urtica Dioica Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Betula Alba Leaf Extract, CI 19140, Potassium Sorbate, CI 14700, CI 42090, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid

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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!

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