Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Murad Clarifying Toner

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Murad Clarifying Toner

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

This pore-care toner is formulated around Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate to 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

Hamamelis Virginiana Water

Alcohol

PPG-5-Ceteth-20

Chondrus Crispus Extract

Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract

Citrus Medica Limonum Fruit Extract

Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract

Lecithin

Tocopherol

Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Allantoin

Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer

Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract

PEG-12 Dimethicone

Menthol

Menthoxypropanediol

Phenoxyethanol

Methylparaben

Citral

Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil

CI 42090

Extracts

CI 60730

Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum Fruit Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Allantoin, Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Menthol, Menthoxypropanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Citral, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, CI 42090, Extracts, CI 60730

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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.

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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