Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser Versus Paula's Choice Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser

Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser Versus Paula's Choice Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser versus Paula's Choice Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser. This salicyl

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Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser Versus Paula's Choice Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser versus Paula's Choice Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser. This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores. This mild cream cleanser is made to cleanse without leaving your skin tight or dry. 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 Sodium Lauroamphoacetate Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate Stearic Acid Glycol Distearate Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Acrylates Copolymer Cetearyl Alcohol Sodium Hyaluronate Ceramide NP Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP Phytosphingosine Phospholipids Sphingolipids Lecithin Cholesterol Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract Sodium Chloride Sodium Hydroxide Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate Xanthan Gum Carbomer Hexylene Glycol Water, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Glycol Distearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Acrylates Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Phytosphingosine, Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, Lecithin, Arginine, Cholesterol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources. It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy. Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces. A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks. Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis. One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies. Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne. Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created. Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin. Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on). 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 d