Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant Versus Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment

Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant Versus Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant versus Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Camellia Sinensi

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Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant Versus Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant versus Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores. This acne treatment is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and refine the look of pores. 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 Propylene Glycol PEG-75 Stearate PEG-8 Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract Sea Whip Extract Arginine Propylene Glycol, PEG-75 Stearate, PEG-8, Water, Salicylic Acid, Glycerin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Butylene Glycol, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Sea Whip Extract, Arginine, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Avena Sativa Kernel Extract is is derived from colloidal oatmeal. Besides being a healthy breakfast, oats have many benefits in skincare too. This ingredient helps sooth, hydrate, and protect the skin. The starches in colloidal oatmeal are able to bind water, keeping the skin hydrated. The cellulose and fiber in colloidal oatmeal help reduce inflammation. This can also help the skin feel softer. Colloidal Oatmeal is also an antioxidant. Antioxidants protect our skin from free-radical damage. Oatmeal also contains beneficial compounds: This ingredient is created by mixing grounded oatmeal and a liquid base. 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. 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. Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your f