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SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense Versus Paula's Choice Clear Regular Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution With 2% Salicylic Acid

SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense Versus Paula's Choice Clear Regular Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution With 2% Salicylic Acid This acne serum is formulated around Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and soften the look of wrinkles.

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense Versus Paula's Choice Clear Regular Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution With 2% Salicylic Acid

This acne serum is formulated around Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and soften the look of wrinkles.

This acne exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate to clear breakouts and calm redness.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Glycolic Acid 3.5%

Dierucic Acid 2%

Salicylic Acid 1.5%

Citric Acid 0.5%

Alcohol Denat.

Water

Methylpropanediol

Diisopropyl Adipate

Octadecenedioic Acid

Sodium Hydroxide

Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid

Capryloyl Salicylic Acid

Polyquaternium-10

Tocopherol

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Glycolic Acid 3.5%, Dierucic Acid 2%, Salicylic Acid 1.5%, Citric Acid 0.5%, Alcohol Denat., Water, Methylpropanediol, Diisopropyl Adipate, Octadecenedioic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Polyquaternium-10, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Salicylic Acid 2%

Dipropylene Glycol

Pentylene Glycol

Polysorbate 20

Butylene Glycol

Glycerin

Sodium Hyaluronate

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Allantoin

Panthenol

PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer

Methyl Gluceth-20

Glycereth-26

Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane

Tetrasodium EDTA

Sodium Metabisulfite

Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Allantoin, Panthenol, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Methyl Gluceth-20, Glycereth-26, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Metabisulfite

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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.

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. 03Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
  4. 04As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
  5. 05It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
  6. 06A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
  7. 07Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
  8. 08What it does:
  9. 09Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
  10. 10Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
  11. 11Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
  12. 12This 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.
  13. 13Note: 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.
  14. 14Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
  15. 15Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
  16. 16The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
  17. 17It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
  18. 18In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
  19. 19Titanium Dioxide (TD) is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
  20. 20It's one of only two UV filters officially classified as "mineral" by regulatory agencies (the other being Zinc Oxide).
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
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Product index

Related product references

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Comparison edit

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