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Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Sephora Collection Glow Peel Pads With AHA + PHA

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Sephora Collection Glow Peel Pads With AHA + PHA This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores. This smoothing treatment pad uses

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Sephora Collection Glow Peel Pads With AHA + PHA

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

This smoothing treatment pad uses a pre-saturated pad with Gluconolactone and Lactic Acid to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking 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

Gluconolactone

Lactic Acid

Glycerin

Citric Acid

Sodium Benzoate

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder

Acer Saccharum Extract

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract

Citrus Limon Fruit Extract

Saccharum Officinarum Extract

Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract

Chlorella Vulgaris Extract

Potassium Sorbate

Water, Gluconolactone, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Acer Saccharum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, 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.

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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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. 03Benzoyl Peroxide (BPO) is one of the most studied and widely used acne-fighting ingredients on the market for over five decades.
  4. 04It works by releasing oxygen into your pores to kill Cutibacterium acne, or the bacteria closely linked to acne breakouts. This bacteria has a hard time surviving in an oxygen-rich environment.
  5. 05On top of that, BPO has keratolytic properties to help shed dead skin cells and keep pores from getting clogged.
  6. 06One of the coolest things about BPO is that bacteria do not develop resistance to it the way they can with antibiotics. That's why dermatologists recommend pairing it with topical antibiotics to keep resistance at bay.
  7. 07BPO is usually available in 2.5%, 5%, and 10% concentrations. Research has shown that 2.5% tends to be just as effective as the higher strengths while being more gentle on the skin.
  8. 08The FDA has classified BPO as a safe and effective acne treatment. You'll be able to find this ingredient in over-the-counter products in many countries.
  9. 09Just so you know, BPO is a known mild irritant. It's common to see dryness, peeling, and some redness when you first start using it. This usually goes away as your skin adjusts.
  10. 10A very small number of people might develop allergic contact dermatitis from it as patch test studies show positive reactions in about 1-5% of patients.
  11. 11Once BPO is absorbed into the skin, our bodies turn it into benzoic acid and quickly exits in urine. It's also worth noting that BPO will bleach fabrics and hair, so watch your towels and pillowcases!
  12. 12Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
  13. 13This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
  14. 14On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
  15. 15One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too st…
  16. 16Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
  17. 17You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
  18. 18Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
  19. 19As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
  20. 20The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
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