Tatcha The Rice Polish Versus Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser

Tatcha The Rice Polish Versus Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser

This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Camellia Sinensis Leaf and Papain to refine skin texture.

This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

No concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Microcrystalline Cellulose

Oryza Sativa Powder

Sodium Lauryl Phosphate

Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate

Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate

Water

Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate

Lauryl Betaine

Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate

Camellia Sinensis Leaf

Papain

Oryza Sativa Bran Extract

Propanediol

Dextrin

Ethylhexylglycerin

Kaolin

Tocopherol

Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Silica

Butylene Glycol

Phenoxyethanol

CI 77492

CI 77007

Microcrystalline Cellulose, Oryza Sativa Powder, Sodium Lauryl Phosphate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Water, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Lauryl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf, Papain, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Propanediol, Dextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Kaolin, Tocopherol, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77492, CI 77007

Salicylic Acid

Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate

Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer

Glycerin

PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate

Sodium Laureth Sulfate

Arginine

PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate

Panthenol

Disodium EDTA

Citric Acid

PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Sodium Citrate

Caprylyl Glycol

Chlorphenesin

Salicylic Acid, Water, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer, Glycerin, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Arginine, Butylene Glycol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Panthenol, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin

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.

Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).

It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.

On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.

Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).

You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.

Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.

Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.

Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.

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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