Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Skin science article

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Skintific 2% Salicylic Acid Anti Acne Serum

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Skintific 2% Salicylic Acid Anti Acne Serum This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores. This acne serum is formulated around Ni

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Skintific 2% Salicylic Acid Anti Acne Serum

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

This acne serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and 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

Niacinamide

Glycerin

PPG-10 Methyl Glucose Ether

Pentylene Glycol

1,2-Hexanediol

Acacia Senegal Gum

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Triethanolamine

Ectoin

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Ceramide AP

Ceramide NP

Ceramide Ns

Ceramide Ng

Centella Asiatica Extract

Disodium EDTA

Tartaric Acid

Malic Acid

Peumus Boldus Leaf Extract

PPG-26-Buteth-26

Allantoin

O-Cymen-5-Ol

Ethylhexylglycerin

Glyceryl Caprylate

PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Menthol

Caprylyl Glycol

Xanthan Gum

Hydrolyzed Royal Jelly Protein

Oligopeptide-1

Sodium Hyaluronate

Glycolipids

Glycosphingolipids

Propanediol

Sodium Lactate

Glycolic Acid

Sucrose

Urea

Sodium Citrate

Phenoxyethanol

Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, PPG-10 Methyl Glucose Ether, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salicylic Acid, Acacia Senegal Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, Methylpropanediol, Ectoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ceramide AP, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide Ng, Centella Asiatica Extract, Disodium EDTA, Tartaric Acid, Malic Acid, Peumus Boldus Leaf Extract, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Allantoin, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Menthol, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Hydrolyzed Royal Jelly Protein, Oligopeptide-1, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycolipids, Glycosphingolipids, Propanediol, Sodium Lactate, Glycolic Acid, Sucrose, Urea, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol

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.

Methylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.

As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.

Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.

Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.

Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.

Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.

Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.

It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.

While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.

If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.

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. 03Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
  4. 04What it does:
  5. 05Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
  6. 06Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
  7. 07Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
  8. 08This 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.
  9. 09Note: 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.
  10. 10This ingredient is a silicone elastomer that works as a texture enhancer, adds a silky slip, and also helps absorb excess oil.
  11. 11Because it's a large macromolecule that's insoluble in water and chemically inert, it's not expected to penetrate or be absorbed into skin.
  12. 12Human patch tests with a facial lotion containing 1% of this ingredient found no sensitization.
  13. 13Titanium Dioxide (TD) is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
  14. 14It's one of only two UV filters officially classified as "mineral" by regulatory agencies (the other being Zinc Oxide).
  15. 15A really common myth is that mineral filters work by reflecting UV light off your skin like tiny mirrors.
  16. 16They don't only do that; modern research shows TD protects mostly by absorbing UV radiation, the same way chemical filters do.
  17. 17When researchers measured this, reflection accounted for only about 4-5% of the protection (and less than SPF 2 on its own). The other ~95% comes from absorption: the UV photons hit the particle and their energy gets soaked up by its semiconductor b…
  18. 18So "reflects vs. absorbs" was never really the right way to split mineral from chemical filters.
  19. 19TD gives broad-spectrum protection that's strongest in the UVB and UVA-2 range and weaker in the UVA-1 range. Its UVA protection isn't quite as strong as Zinc Oxide's which is why you'll often see the two paired together.
  20. 20Together, they make a solid broad-spectrum system.
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
02

Product index

Related product references

03

Comparison edit

Read side by side

Continue reading

Related articles