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Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Skintific 5% AHA BHA PHA Exfoliating Toner

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Skintific 5% AHA BHA PHA Exfoliating Toner This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Skintific 5% AHA BHA PHA Exfoliating Toner

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

This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Niacinamide and Glycolic Acid to refine skin texture 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

Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate

Niacinamide

Propylene Glycol

Glycolic Acid

1,2-Hexanediol

Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid

Lactic Acid

Phenoxyethanol

PEG-60 Almond Glycerides

Caprylyl Glycol

Gentiana Scabra Root Extract

Glycerin

PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Sodium Lactate

O-Cymen-5-Ol

Ceramide AP

Ceramide NP

Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6

Ethylhexylglycerin

Ceramide Ns

Menthol

Hexyl Cinnamal

Citric Acid

Carbomer

T-Butyl Alcohol

Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid

Oleanolic Acid

Water, Butylene Glycol, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Caprylyl Glycol, Gentiana Scabra Root Extract, Glycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Lactate, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide NP, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceramide Ns, Menthol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citric Acid, Carbomer, T-Butyl Alcohol, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Oleanolic Acid

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.

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. 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. 06Ceramide AP is is a skin-identical lipid that mimics what your skin already makes naturally. Ceramides help maintain epidermal integrity and barrier function.
  7. 07You'll often see this ingredient paired with other ceramides (like ceramide NP), cholesterol, or fatty acids because this combination best mimics the natural lipid mix your skin already has.
  8. 08The skin's ability to produce ceramides gets disrupted in skin conditions like eczema. This in turn weakens the skin barrier and applying ceramides topically has been shown to replenish what's been lost to restore barrier function.
  9. 09Most of the studies with Ceramide AP test it as part of a multi-ceramide complex; studies reinforce ceramide AP's role in rebalancing ceramides in skin and improving skin hydration.
  10. 10Ceramide EOP is formally known as Ceramide 1.
  11. 11It is naturally found in skin and part of the intercellular "mortar" holding everything together in your outermost layer.
  12. 12EOP stands for a linked Ester fatty acid, a linked Omega hydroxy fatty acid, and the Phytosphingosine base.
  13. 13What makes Ceramide EOP special is its ultra-long fatty acid chain; this unique structure allows it to bridge the lipid layers in your skin barrier to prevent water loss (something no other ceramide can do).
  14. 14Low levels of Ceramide EOP have been found in people with eczema and psoriasis.
  15. 15Using it together with other ceramides, cholesterol, and linoleic acid have been shown to meaningfully improve hydration and reduce water loss.
  16. 16In one clinical study, a regimen using Ceramide EOP, NP, and AP led to significant symptom improvements in patients with eczema, psoriasis, and dry skin in just 4 weeks.
  17. 17You'll usually see concentrations between 0.1-0.5% in formulations. Overall, this is a well-tolerated and safe ingredient for cosmetic use.
  18. 18Ceramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
  19. 19Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
  20. 20This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
02

Product index

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03

Comparison edit

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