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Pixi Beauty Clarity Tonic Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant

Pixi Beauty Clarity Tonic Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant This smoothing toner is formulated around Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and Glycolic Acid to refine skin texture and clear breakouts. This pore-care exfoliator is formulated aro

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

Pixi Beauty Clarity Tonic Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant

This smoothing toner is formulated around Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and Glycolic Acid to refine skin texture and clear breakouts.

This pore-care exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Phytosphingosine to refine the look of pores and refine skin texture.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Propanediol

Glycerin

Sodium PCA

Betaine

Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate Filtrate

Glycolic Acid

Sodium Hyaluronate

Salicylic Acid

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

Salix Alba Bark Extract

Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Centella Asiatica Extract

Saccharum Officinarum Extract

Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate

Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract

Lactic Acid

Sodium Citrate

Sodium Hydroxide

Ethylhexylglycerin

Citric Acid

Potassium Sorbate

Sodium Benzoate

Phenoxyethanol

Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Propanediol, Glycerin, Sodium PCA, Betaine, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Salicylic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract, Lactic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol

Methylpropanediol

Butylene Glycol

Polysorbate 20

Phytosphingosine

Hydroxyethylcellulose

Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract

Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract

Epilobium Angustifolium Extract

Bisabolol

Tetrasodium EDTA

Water, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Salicylic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Extract, Bisabolol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide

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.

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.

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.

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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. 06Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
  7. 07Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
  8. 08Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
  9. 09Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
  10. 10This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
  11. 11Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
  12. 12Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
  13. 13This is a synthetic polymer made by combining glycerin with polymethacrylic acid.
  14. 14It is a non-drying, non-greasy moisturizer that helps enhance the feel and slip of formulations, helps stabilize emulsions, creates a film, and controls viscosity.
  15. 15As a film former, it creates a light and flexible layer on the skin's surface. This helps lock in moisture without feeling heavy.
  16. 16It's typically used at concentrations up to 1.9% in leave-on products. CIR has concluded that these ingredients are safe in cosmetics at current use levels.
  17. 17Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't readily penetrate into skin and mostly just sits on the surface. A large UK-based patch test study of over 1,300 patients found that sensitization to related acrylate copolymers is rare.
  18. 18Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
  19. 19One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
  20. 20Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
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