Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser Versus Pacifica Sea Foam Complete Face Wash

Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser Versus Pacifica Sea Foam Complete Face Wash Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser versus Pacifica Sea Foam Complete Face Wash. This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around

This source-based comparison does not add ratings or recommend a winner.

Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser Versus Pacifica Sea Foam Complete Face Wash Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser versus Pacifica Sea Foam Complete Face Wash. This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores. This mild gel cleanser is made to cleanse while calming and soothing your skin. Salicylic Acid Water Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer Glycerin PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate Sodium Laureth Sulfate Arginine Butylene Glycol PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate Panthenol Disodium EDTA Citric Acid PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Sodium Citrate Phenoxyethanol Caprylyl Glycol Chlorphenesin Salicylic Acid, Water, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer, Glycerin, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Arginine, Butylene Glycol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Panthenol, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin Cocamidopropyl Betaine Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate Sodium Coco Sulfoacetate Sodium Cocoamphoacetate Decyl Glucoside Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate Glycol Stearate Carica Papaya Fermented Extract Citrus Limon Fruit Extract Bioflavonoids Cocos Nucifera Oil Cocos Nucifera Water Tocopheryl Acetate Sodium PCA Allantoin Porphyra Umbilicalis Extract Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Algae Extract Sodium Benzoate Potassium Sorbate Ethylhexylglycerin Parfum Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Coco Sulfoacetate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Decyl Glucoside, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glycol Stearate, Carica Papaya Fermented Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Bioflavonoids, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Cocos Nucifera Water, Citric Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Allantoin, Porphyra Umbilicalis Extract, Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Algae Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum Be the first to review These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes. Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath. However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products. Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH. In skincare formulas, citric acid can: While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants. Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations. Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger. However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure. 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. Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair. There are two forms of panthenol: D and L. D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol. Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons): Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able