Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Olay Tone Perfection Serum with Vitamin B3 and Vitamin C

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Olay Tone Perfection Serum with Vitamin B3 and Vitamin C

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

This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.

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

Niacinamide

Glycerin

Hexyldecanol

Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer

Dimethicone

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Panthenol

Hydroxyacetophenone

Dimethiconol

Disodium EDTA

Carbomer

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Aminomethyl Propanol

Phenoxyethanol

Titanium Dioxide

Mica

Ascorbic Acid

Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Hexyldecanol, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Panthenol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Dimethiconol, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Phenoxyethanol, Titanium Dioxide, Mica, Ascorbic Acid

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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.

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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