Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

Acne Free Sulfur Acne Foaming Cleanser Versus Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser

Acne Free Sulfur Acne Foaming Cleanser Versus Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser Detailed comparison of Acne Free Sulfur Acne Foaming Cleanser versus Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser. This sulfur foaming cleanser is formulated around

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Acne Free Sulfur Acne Foaming Cleanser Versus Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser Detailed comparison of Acne Free Sulfur Acne Foaming Cleanser versus Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser. This sulfur foaming cleanser is formulated around Sulfur to clear breakouts. This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores. Sulfur 3.5% Water Glycerin Propylene Glycol Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate Xanthan Gum Acacia Senegal Gum Phenoxyethanol Caprylyl Glycol Citric Acid Citrus Limon Peel Oil Limonene Potassium Hydroxide Ethylhexylglycerin Hexylene Glycol Sodium Hyaluronate Niacinamide Sodium Sulfate Avena Sativa Bran Extract Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate Glycolic Acid Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract Ceramide NP Ceramide AP Phytosphingosine Cholesterol Carbomer Ceramide EOP Sulfur 3.5%, Water, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Xanthan Gum, Acacia Senegal Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Limonene, Potassium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Niacinamide, Sodium Sulfate, Avena Sativa Bran Extract, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Glycolic Acid, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Carbomer, Ceramide EOP Salicylic Acid Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate Sodium Laureth Sulfate Arginine Butylene Glycol PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate Panthenol Disodium EDTA PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Sodium Citrate 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 These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created. Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin. Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on). Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes. Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath. However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products. Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH. In skincare formulas, citric acid can: While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants. Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations. Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger. However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure. Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum. Topically, glycerin does several things at once: Your 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. Aquaporin-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. This 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. Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity. Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine. Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!). It has a lar