Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser Versus Paula's Choice Clear Acne Body Spray

CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser Versus Paula's Choice Clear Acne Body Spray Detailed comparison of CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser Australia versus Paula's Choice Clear Acne Body Spray. This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear br

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CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser Versus Paula's Choice Clear Acne Body Spray Detailed comparison of CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser Australia versus Paula's Choice Clear Acne Body Spray. This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores. Water Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine Glycerin Niacinamide Gluconolactone Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate Ceramide NP Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP Carbomer Calcium Gluconate Salicylic Acid Sodium Benzoate Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate Cholesterol Phenoxyethanol Disodium EDTA Tetrasodium EDTA Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid Phytosphingosine Xanthan Gum Ethylhexylglycerin Water, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Gluconolactone, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Calcium Gluconate, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Tetrasodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin Dipropylene Glycol Butylene Glycol Polysorbate 20 Pentylene Glycol Panthenol Sodium Hyaluronate Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Berberis Vulgaris Root Extract Lauric Acid Allantoin PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer Methyl Gluceth-20 Glycereth-26 Sodium Hydroxide Sodium Metabisulfite Potassium Sorbate Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Pentylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Berberis Vulgaris Root Extract, Lauric Acid, Allantoin, Glycerin, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Methyl Gluceth-20, Glycereth-26, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Metabisulfite, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air. This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with: On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it. One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin). Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption. You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%. 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. 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 ar