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Sunday Riley Good Genes Glycolic Acid Treatment Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant

Sunday Riley Good Genes Glycolic Acid Treatment Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant This smoothing treatment is formulated around Glycolic Acid and Squalane to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin. This pore-care exfoliator

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

Sunday Riley Good Genes Glycolic Acid Treatment Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant

This smoothing treatment is formulated around Glycolic Acid and Squalane to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin.

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

Dimethicone

Glycolic Acid

Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate

PPG-12

Squalane

Propanediol

Cetearyl Alcohol

Potassium Lactate

Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone

Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil

Glycerin

Potassium Hydroxide

PPG-24-Glycereth-24

Sodium Phytate

Xanthan Gum

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Glyceryl Stearate

PEG-100 Stearate

Palmitic Acid

Stearic Acid

Phenoxyethanol

Opuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract

Ceteareth-20

Caprylyl Glycol

Chlorphenesin

Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract

Sorbitan Isostearate

Potassium Sorbate

Sodium Benzoate

Water, Dimethicone, Glycolic Acid, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, PPG-12, Squalane, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Lactate, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Glycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, PPG-24-Glycereth-24, Sodium Phytate, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract, Ceteareth-20, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate

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

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.

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. 03Zinc Oxide (ZO) is a mineral broad-spectrum UV filter and the broadest-spectrum filter recognized by the FDA. It covers everything from UVB through to long-wave UVA.
  4. 04On top of sun protection, it has skin protectant and skin-soothing properties too.
  5. 05Here's a myth worth busting: mineral filters are usually described as working by "reflecting" or "bouncing" UV off your skin.
  6. 06That's mostly not true: when researchers actually measured it, ZO and Titanium Dioxide reflect only about 4-5% of UV (less than SPF 2 worth of protection).
  7. 07The vast majority of the work (~95%) is done by absorption, similar to chemical UV filters. ZO is a semiconductor that absorbs UV photos through its energy band gap.
  8. 08So the old "physical blocker vs. chemical absorber" framing is really an oversimplification.
  9. 09Zinc Oxide is one of the most effective broad-spectrum UV filters out there. It protects across UVB, UVA2, and UVA1 with a flat, even absorption curve across the whole UVA-UVB range.
  10. 10That uniform UVA coverage is its standout feature; titanium dioxide skews more toward UVB as its particle size drops so ZO gives more consistent and extended UVA protection.
  11. 11It's also very photostable. As an inorganic oxide, ZO doesn't break down in sunlight the way some organic filters can, so it holds up over a day of wear.
  12. 12This ingredient is gentle and soothing, making it go-to for sunscreens aimed at sensitive skin, rosacea, or ecezma-prone skin, babies, and children.
  13. 13It's also unlikely to cause the "eye sting" that some sunscreen ingredients are known for, and regulatory agencies broadly consider it non-toxic and safe for topical use.
  14. 14Beyond sun protection, ZO is also a recognized OTC skin protectant. It forms a breathable barrier that shields skin from moisture and irritation while supporting healing. This is why you'll see it as a classic active in diaper rash creams.
  15. 15The only downside to ZO is that it can leave a visible white cast, especially on deeper skin tones. This is the main reason mineral sunscreens have historically felt less cosmetically elegant than chemical or hybrid formulas.
  16. 16Zinc Oxide comes in both non-nano and nano forms. The dividing line is 100nm and anything under is classified as a nanomaterial by the EU.
  17. 17The nano version scatters less visible light which cuts down white case and gives a lighter, more wearable texture.
  18. 18Another thing worth understanding about formulation:
  19. 19Uncoated ZO has some inherent photocatalytic activity. This just means it can generate reactive oxygen species under UV. It's exactly why cosmetic-grade ZO is almost always surface-coated; this coating suppresses that reactivity and improves how the…
  20. 20A well-formulated coated ZO largely sidesteps this issue.
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
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