Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

Paula's Choice Calm 1% BHA Sensitive Skin Exfoliant Versus CeraVe SA Lotion for Rough and Bumpy Skin

Paula's Choice Calm 1% BHA Sensitive Skin Exfoliant Versus CeraVe SA Lotion for Rough and Bumpy Skin Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Calm 1% BHA Sensitive Skin Exfoliant versus CeraVe SA Lotion for Rough and Bumpy Skin. This smoothing exfoliator is formu

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Paula's Choice Calm 1% BHA Sensitive Skin Exfoliant Versus CeraVe SA Lotion for Rough and Bumpy Skin Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Calm 1% BHA Sensitive Skin Exfoliant versus CeraVe SA Lotion for Rough and Bumpy Skin. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Allantoin to refine skin texture and calm redness. This smoothing moisturizer is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Ceramide NP to refine skin texture and strengthen the skin barrier. Water Methylpropanediol Dicaprylyl Carbonate C15-19 Alkane Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer Salicylic Acid Propanediol Inulin Caprylyl Glycol Allantoin Tocopherol Sodium Hydroxide Ethylhexylglycerin Hexylene Glycol Sorbitan Isostearate Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide Glycerin Laminaria Digitata Extract Albatrellus Confluens Extract Glycine Soja Oil Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract Galactoarabinan Citric Acid Schizophyllan Maltodextrin Phenoxyethanol Water, Methylpropanediol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, C15-19 Alkane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Salicylic Acid, Propanediol, Inulin, Caprylyl Glycol, Allantoin, Tocopherol, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Glycerin, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Albatrellus Confluens Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Galactoarabinan, Citric Acid, Schizophyllan, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol Paraffinum Liquidum Triethanolamine Glyceryl Stearate Ammonium Lactate PEG-100 Stearate Cetearyl Alcohol Cetyl Alcohol Zea Mays Oil Ceramide NP Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP Carbomer Behentrimonium Methosulfate Dimethicone Methylparaben Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate Cholecalciferol Cholesterol Disodium EDTA Propylparaben Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid Phytosphingosine Xanthan Gum Salicylic Acid, Water, Glycerin, Paraffinum Liquidum, Triethanolamine, Glyceryl Stearate, Ammonium Lactate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Zea Mays Oil, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Dimethicone, Methylparaben, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholecalciferol, Cholesterol, Disodium EDTA, Propylparaben, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum 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. 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 are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here. Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product. So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation. You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!