Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

Paula's Choice RESIST Daily Smoothing Treatment With 5% AHA Versus CeraVe Acne Control Gel

Paula's Choice RESIST Daily Smoothing Treatment With 5% AHA Versus CeraVe Acne Control Gel Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice RESIST Daily Smoothing Treatment With 5% AHA USA versus CeraVe Acne Control Gel. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Gly

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Paula's Choice RESIST Daily Smoothing Treatment With 5% AHA Versus CeraVe Acne Control Gel Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice RESIST Daily Smoothing Treatment With 5% AHA USA versus CeraVe Acne Control Gel. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Glycolic Acid and Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12 to refine skin texture and soften the look of wrinkles. This acne treatment is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Glycolic Acid to clear breakouts and refine skin texture. Water Glycolic Acid Cetyl Alcohol Butylene Glycol Polyacrylamide Dimethicone PPG-14 Butyl Ether Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12 Ceramide Ng Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane Epigallocatechin Gallate Salicylic Acid Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates PEG-10 Phytosterol Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract Bisabolol Allantoin Cyclopentasiloxane Cyclohexasiloxane Dimethiconol Tribehenin C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate PEG-40 Stearate Sorbitan Stearate Pvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer Disodium EDTA C13-14 Isoparaffin Laureth-7 Sodium Hydroxide Caprylyl Glycol Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Hexylene Glycol Ethylhexylglycerin Phenoxyethanol Water, Glycolic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Polyacrylamide, Dimethicone, PPG-14 Butyl Ether, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Ceramide Ng, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Salicylic Acid, Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates, PEG-10 Phytosterol, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Tribehenin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, PEG-40 Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Pvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol Salicylic Acid 2% Glycerin Lactic Acid Niacinamide Ceramide NP Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP Carbomer Cetearyl Alcohol Behentrimonium Methosulfate Triethyl Citrate Sodium Hyaluronate Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate Cholesterol Chlorphenesin Hydroxypropyl Guar Xanthan Gum Phytosphingosine Benzoic Acid Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Niacinamide, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Triethyl Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Phytosphingosine, Benzoic Acid 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. 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%. Glycolic Acid is arguably the most famous alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with tons of research backing its benefits. It is found naturally in sugar cane but the form used in skincare is usually synthetic for purity and stability. Glycolic acid removes the top layer of dead skin cells to allow newer and fresher ones to emerge. AHAs work by breaking down the structural “glue” that holds old skin cells in place. When that buildup is gone, your skin can renew itself more efficiently. Research also shows glycolic acid stimulates collagen production, helping to firm and thicken the skin over time. This is one of its biggest advantages over other AHAs. Overall, glycolic acid helps with: Fun fact: Glycolic acid boosts skin hydration by helping it produce molecules that increase hyaluronic acid naturally. To work best, glycolic acid products should have a pH between 3-4 (that’s where exfoliation is most effective but still gentle on skin). The pH and concentration of a product are key to its effectiveness: It is normal to feel a slight stinging sensation when using glycolic acid. This usually fades as your skin adjusts. Because glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size in the AHA family, it can penetrate deeper, which enhances its effectiveness but also makes it more likely to irritate sensitive skin. If your skin is very sensitive or prone to rosacea, glycolic acid may be too strong; in that case, try milder options like lactic acid or a PHA instead. Recent studies suggest glycolic acid might even help protect against UV damage. But don’t skip sunscreen! Freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to the sun. Glycolic acid is a skincare superstar. It