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Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus REVOX B77 Retinol Toner

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus REVOX B77 Retinol Toner This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores. This anti-aging toner is formulated around Sodium Hyalurona

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus REVOX B77 Retinol Toner

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

This anti-aging toner is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate and Panthenol to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate 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

Propylene Glycol

PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract

Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract

Glycerin

Sodium Hyaluronate

Panthenol

PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether

Phenoxyethanol

Retinyl Palmitate

Disodium EDTA

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil

Citric Acid

Sodium Benzoate

Potassium Sorbate

Water, Propylene Glycol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polysorbate 20, Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether, Phenoxyethanol, Retinyl Palmitate, Disodium EDTA, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate

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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.

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!

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. 03Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
  4. 04Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
  5. 05Though 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.
  6. 06Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
  7. 07Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
  8. 08It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
  9. 09Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
  10. 10A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
  11. 11Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate is derived from cetearyl alcohol and sorbic acid.
  12. 12It is an emollient and helps hydrate the skin. Emollients form a barrier on the skin to prevent water from escaping.
  13. 13Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
  14. 14Its main roles are:
  15. 15Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
  16. 16The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
  17. 17This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
  18. 18Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
  19. 19What it does:
  20. 20Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
02

Product index

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03

Comparison edit

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