Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser Versus Pixi Beauty Glow Tonic Cleansing Gel

Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser Versus Pixi Beauty Glow Tonic Cleansing Gel Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser versus Pixi Beauty Glow Tonic Cleansing Gel. This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around

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Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser Versus Pixi Beauty Glow Tonic Cleansing Gel Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser versus Pixi Beauty Glow Tonic Cleansing Gel. This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores. This glycolic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Glycolic Acid to exfoliate and smooth 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 Propanediol Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate Allantoin Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Water Saccharomyces/Nelumbo Nucifera Ferment Extract Filtrate Saponaria Officinalis Extract Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract Veronica Officinalis Leaf Extract Glycolic Acid Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract Betaine Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract Citrus Limon Fruit Extract Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract Hamamelis Virginiana Extract Lactobacillus Ferment Panax Ginseng Root Extract Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract Tocopherol Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract Carbomer Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate Potassium Hydroxide Ethylhexylglycerin 1,2-Hexanediol Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil Lavandula Hybrida Oil Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil Juniperus Mexicana Oil Limonene Water, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Allantoin, Panthenol, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Water, Saccharomyces/Nelumbo Nucifera Ferment Extract Filtrate, Saponaria Officinalis Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Veronica Officinalis Leaf Extract, Glycolic Acid, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Betaine, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Carbomer, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Potassium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Limonene, Phenoxyethanol 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. 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 to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated. This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds. Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells. This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5. Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!). It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome. On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive. Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10). You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own. Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU. Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages. Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon. 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!