Naturium PHA Topical Acid 12% Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel

Naturium PHA Topical Acid 12% Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel Detailed comparison of Naturium PHA Topical Acid 12% versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel. This smoothing serum is formulated around Gluconolactone and Mandelic Acid to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin. Water Propanediol Gluconolactone Mandelic Acid Lactobionic Acid Glycerin Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract Sodium Hyaluronate Hydroxyacetophenone Sodium Hydroxide 1,2-Hexanediol Caprylyl Glycol Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Carboxyethyl Acrylate Crosspolymer Phenoxyethanol Xanthan Gum Tocopheryl Acetate Ethylhexylglycerin Citric Acid Sodium Benzoate Tocopherol Calcium Gluconate Water, Propanediol, Gluconolactone, Mandelic Acid, Lactobionic Acid, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Hydroxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Carboxyethyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Calcium Gluconate Aminomethyl Propanol Glycolic Acid Lactic Acid Isoamyl Laurate Tartaric Acid Salicylic Acid Malic Acid Butylene Glycol Clitoria Ternatea Flower Extract Glycyrrhetinic Acid Bisabolol Allantoin Hydroxyethylcellulose Hydrogenated Lecithin Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 Titanium Dioxide Mica Water, Aminomethyl Propanol, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Isoamyl Laurate, Tartaric Acid, Propanediol, Salicylic Acid, Malic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Clitoria Ternatea Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Titanium Dioxide, Mica, Phenoxyethanol These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. 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. Mandelic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). Like other AHAs, it helps exfoliate the surface of the skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath. Mandelic acid helps with: Due to it having a larger molecular size than glycolic acid, mandelic acid is able to penetrate the skin more slowly and evenly. This makes it gentler and less irritating, making it a great option for sensitive or beginner skin. Despite being milder, mandelic acid is still an effective exfoliant that improves skin texture and tone over time. What makes mandelic acid stand out from other AHAs? It has antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These traits make it a great option for acne-prone or problem skin by reducing active breakouts and fading post-acne marks. Studies show that mandelic acid (especially when combined with salicylic acid) can significantly reduce pimples and hyperpigmentation while causing fewer side effects than stronger acids. Mandelic acid is effective in concentrations of 5% and up with an ideal pH range of 3-4 for at-home use. Like other AHAs, it’s important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your newly exfoliated skin. However, unlike glycolic acid, mandelic acid is light-sensitive. Be sure your mandelic acid is packaged in opaque containers to ensure it stays stable and effective. In short, mandelic acid is a gentle yet powerful AHA that exfoliates, brightens, and helps clarify skin while keeping irritation low. Its antibacterial action makes it especially beneficial for those with acne-prone, sensitive, or uneven skin, offering smoother, clearer, and more even-toned results over time. Read more about some other popular AHA's here: 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 h