Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Skin science article

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus PURITO Oat-In Calming Gel Cream

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus PURITO Oat-In Calming Gel Cream This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores. This calming moisturizer is formulated around Avena

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus PURITO Oat-In Calming Gel Cream

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

This calming moisturizer is formulated around Avena Sativa Seed Water and Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate to calm redness and hydrate skin.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

No concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Methylpropanediol

Butylene Glycol

Salicylic Acid

Polysorbate 20

Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract

Sodium Hydroxide

Tetrasodium EDTA

Phenoxyethanol

Water, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol

Avena Sativa Seed Water 77%

Glycerin

2,3-Butanediol

1,2-Hexanediol

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer

Squalane

Hydroxyacetophenone

Carbomer

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Panthenol

Tromethamine

Ethylhexylglycerin

Inulin Lauryl Carbamate

Sodium Surfactin

Beta-Glucan

Avena Sativa Seed Water 77%, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 2,3-Butanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Water, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Squalane, Hydroxyacetophenone, Carbomer, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Panthenol, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Sodium Surfactin, Beta-Glucan

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.

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. 10Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
  11. 11What it does:
  12. 12Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
  13. 13Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
  14. 14Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
  15. 15This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
  16. 16Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
  17. 17Ethylhexyl Salicylate (also called Octisalate or Octyl Salicylate) is an oil-soluble organic UV filter that's been used in sunscreen since the 1950's.
  18. 18It absorbs UVB light in the 280-320 nm range with a peak absorbance around 306 nm.
  19. 19You'll often see it paired with other UV filters to boost overall SPF because octisalate is a fairly week filter on its own.
  20. 20The reason you'll see it so often is because it can help solubilize and stabilize the trickier filters like oxybenzone and avobenzone.
Source · skinsort.com
02

Product index

Related product references

Product

Paula's Choice 5% Niacinamide Body Serum

Paula's Choice 5% Niacinamide Body Serum Paula's Choice 5% Niacinamide Body Serum ingredients explained: Water⁠, Panthenol⁠, Niacinamide⁠, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride⁠, Myristyl Myristate⁠…

Source: incidecoder.comView reference →
03

Comparison edit

Read side by side