Paula's Choice Pore Clarifying Charcoal Gel Mask Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant

Paula's Choice Pore Clarifying Charcoal Gel Mask Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Pore Clarifying Charcoal Gel Mask versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant. This wash off mask is made with Bentonite and Kaolin for a rinse-off pore-care boost. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Glycolic Acid to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin. Water Tapioca Starch Glycerin Decyl Glucoside Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate Butylene Glycol Cocamidopropyl Betaine Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer Bentonite Kaolin Charcoal Powder Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract Bisabolol Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract Lactic Acid Xanthan Gum Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate CI 77499 Phenoxyethanol Caprylyl Glycol Ethylhexylglycerin Hexylene Glycol Water, Tapioca Starch, Glycerin, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Butylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Bentonite, Kaolin, Charcoal Powder, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Bisabolol, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Lactic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, CI 77499, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol Glycolic Acid Sodium Hydroxide Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Aloe Ferox Leaf Juice Extract Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract Sodium Hyaluronate Panthenol Sodium PCA Propylene Glycol Hydroxyethylcellulose Polyquaternium-10 Sodium Benzoate Water, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Aloe Ferox Leaf Juice Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyquaternium-10, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate 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. 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. 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!