Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

IVY AÏA Facial Gel Wash Versus PCA Skin Facial Wash

IVY AÏA Facial Gel Wash Versus PCA Skin Facial Wash Detailed comparison of IVY AÏA Facial Gel Wash versus PCA Skin Facial Wash. This glycolic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Glycolic Acid to exfoliate and smooth skin. This lactic acid gel cleanser is fo

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IVY AÏA Facial Gel Wash Versus PCA Skin Facial Wash Detailed comparison of IVY AÏA Facial Gel Wash versus PCA Skin Facial Wash. This glycolic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Glycolic Acid to exfoliate and smooth skin. This lactic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Lactic Acid to exfoliate and smooth skin. Water Cocamidopropyl Betaine Glycerin Glycolic Acid Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Xanthan Gum Sodium Hydroxide Phenoxyethanol Sodium Chloride Betaine Ethylhexylglycerin Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Betaine, Ethylhexylglycerin Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate Lactic Acid Sodium Cocoamphoacetate Propanediol Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine Sodium Benzoate Caprylyl Glycol Chlorphenesin Potassium Sorbate Allantoin Salix Nigra Bark Extract Amorphophallus Konjac Root Powder Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lactic Acid, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Sodium Chloride, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Amorphophallus Konjac Root Powder These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is the filtered, stabilized liquid pressed from the inner gel of the aloe vera leaf. In cosmetics, it shows up as either soothing active or a water-replacement base. It is roughly 98-99% water and the last 1-2% is an interesting mix of polysaccharides, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. The polysaccharides do most of the work: they bind water at the skin surface for a light, non-greasy hydration boost. And one of the polysaccharides, glycomannan, is linked to fibroblast stimulation + collagen synthesis. This is also why aloe has such a long track record in wound and burn healing. This ingredient is also calming with anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity, making it a great pick for sensitive, irritated, or post-sun skin. Realistic expectations matter though; the solid evidence is mostly limited to hydration, soothing, and wound support. Deeper claims about anti-aging or sun protection are not well backed, and science reviews note it does not prevent radiation-induced skin injury. Because it plays well with almost everything, it's commonly used as a base alongside other actives like niacinamide or vitamin C. Typical usage concentrations range from 0.5% (where hydration benefits already show up) all the way to 90%+ (where it replaces water as the main base). The safety for this ingredient is well-establish as well. Overall, this is a great supporting ingredient for those who want a boost in hydration. Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups. This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy. Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin. While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study. Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that: The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure. Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations. 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, yea