Skin science article
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores. This smoothing toner is formulated ar
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores.
This smoothing toner is formulated around Glycolic 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
Glycolic Acid
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
Propanediol
Glycerin
Triethanolamine
Aminomethyl Propanol
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
Aspartic Acid
Alanine
Glycine
Serine
Valine
Isoleucine
Proline
Threonine
Histidine
Phenylalanine
Glutamic Acid
Arginine
PCA
Sodium PCA
Sodium Lactate
Fructose
Glucose
Sucrose
Urea
Hexyl Nicotinate
Dextrin
Citric Acid
Gellan Gum
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Chloride
Hexylene Glycol
Potassium Sorbate
Sodium Benzoate
1,2-Hexanediol
Caprylyl Glycol
Water, Glycolic Acid, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Triethanolamine, Aminomethyl Propanol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Aspartic Acid, Alanine, Glycine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Glutamic Acid, Arginine, PCA, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Fructose, Glucose, Sucrose, Urea, Hexyl Nicotinate, Dextrin, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 20, Gellan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Chloride, Hexylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol
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.
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!