Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

Paula's Choice Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide Versus The INKEY List Succinic Acid Acne Treatment

Paula's Choice Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide Versus The INKEY List Succinic Acid Acne Treatment Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide versus T

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Paula's Choice Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide Versus The INKEY List Succinic Acid Acne Treatment Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide versus The INKEY List Succinic Acid Acne Treatment Europe. This acne treatment is formulated around Benzoyl Peroxide and Bisabolol to clear breakouts and calm redness. This acne treatment is formulated around Colloidal Sulfur and Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and refine the look of pores. Water Propylene Glycol Benzoyl Peroxide Bisabolol Allantoin Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer Hydroxyethylcellulose Sodium Citrate Laureth-4 Caprylyl Glycol Sodium Hydroxide Disodium EDTA Hexylene Glycol Phenoxyethanol Water, Propylene Glycol, Benzoyl Peroxide, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Citrate, Laureth-4, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Glyceryl Stearate Se Stearic Acid Cetearyl Alcohol Colloidal Sulfur Glycerin Succinic Acid Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer Salicylic Acid Squalane Benzyl Alcohol Sodium Hyaluronate Polysorbate 60 Ethylhexylglycerin Dehydroacetic Acid Malachite Extract Sorbitan Isostearate Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate CI 75810 Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Colloidal Sulfur, Glycerin, Succinic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Salicylic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Squalane, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polysorbate 60, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Dehydroacetic Acid, Malachite Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, CI 75810 These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. 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. Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective. In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline. Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated. "Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic. 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!