Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant Versus Common Clouds Cloud Water Gentle Exfoliating BHA Toner

Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant Versus Common Clouds Cloud Water Gentle Exfoliating BHA Toner Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant versus Common Clouds Cloud Water Gentle Exfoliating BHA Toner. This smoothing exfoliator is formu

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Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant Versus Common Clouds Cloud Water Gentle Exfoliating BHA Toner Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant versus Common Clouds Cloud Water Gentle Exfoliating BHA Toner. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores. This smoothing toner is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Centella Asiatica Extract to refine skin texture and clear breakouts. Water Butylene Glycol Polysorbate 20 Cetyl Alcohol Salicylic Acid Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer Cyclopentasiloxane Sorbitan Stearate Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Lauric Acid Allantoin Glycerin Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Avena Sativa Kernel Extract Epilobium Angustifolium Extract Dimethicone Xanthan Gum Magnesium Aluminum Silicate PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Sodium Hydroxide Hexylene Glycol Disodium EDTA Ethylhexylglycerin Phenoxyethanol Caprylyl Glycol Water, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Cetyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Sorbitan Stearate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lauric Acid, Allantoin, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Extract, Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol Propanediol Sodium Hyaluronate Centella Asiatica Extract Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract Niacinamide Dextrin Polydextrose Amylopectin Water, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Niacinamide, Dextrin, Polydextrose, Amylopectin, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide 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. Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (tea extract) is one of the most well-researched plant extracts in skincare with an impressive resume. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from the Camellia Sinensis plant. Studies show green tea extract and its catechins (like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) help your skin cells product energy more efficiently and reducing the number of free-radicals that can damage your skin from the inside. In lab-grown skin models, this translated to younger, healthier, and stronger skin. There's also good sun protection data; researchers saw less DNA damage and redness on human skin when green tea was applied before UVB exposure. And the more they applied, the better the protection. Needless to say, this ingredient shouldn't replace your sunscreen. But it is a great supportive ingredient that you can already find in many sunscreens and antioxidant serums. A 2009 study found a 2% green tea lotion was effective for mild-to-moderate acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity. The quality of the extract matters a lot here: Good extracts contain 50-90% catechins while lower quality ones are mostly there for marketing. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the quality or source of their ingredients. Human Repeated Insult Patch Testing showed no irritation or sensitization at use concentrations (0.86% in leave-on products and up to 30% as leaf water). 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. 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, pl