Paula's Choice Resist Intensive Wrinkle-Repair Retinol Serum Versus The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque

Paula's Choice Resist Intensive Wrinkle-Repair Retinol Serum Versus The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Resist Intensive Wrinkle-Repair Retinol Serum versus The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque. This anti-aging serum is formulated around Retinol and Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture. This wash off mask is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores. Cyclopentasiloxane Dimethiconol Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate Dicaprylyl Carbonate Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Phenyl Trimethicone Squalane Bisabolol Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate Retinol Tocotrienols Tocopherol Lecithin Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract Avena Sativa Kernel Extract Elaeis Guineensis Oil Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate Hexylene Glycol Caprylyl Glycol Ethylhexylglycerin Phenoxyethanol Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenyl Trimethicone, Squalane, Bisabolol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Retinol, Tocotrienols, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol Water Kaolin Glycerin Dimethyl Isosorbide Silica Cetyl Silylate Salicylic Acid Sodium Polyacrylate Pentylene Glycol Charcoal Powder 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol Sclerotium Gum Acacia Senegal Gum Xanthan Gum Phytic Acid Polysorbate 20 Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate Chlorphenesin Water, Kaolin, Squalane, Glycerin, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Silica Cetyl Silylate, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Polyacrylate, Pentylene Glycol, Charcoal Powder, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Sclerotium Gum, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Phytic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Chlorphenesin, 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. 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. Squalane is the hydrogenated and shelf-stable form of squalene (a lipid that naturally occurs in human sebum). It is an emollient and skin conditioning agent that is able to integrate seamlessly into the skin's lipid barrier without clogging pores. This is due to how structurally similar it is to what your skin already produces. Though it is mostly an emollient that helps soften and hydrate skin, it also has some humectant and occlusive action. Humectants help the skin retain moisture while occlusives seal it in, making squalane a triple-threat moisturizer. Research shows it has antioxidant capabilities that help protect against stressors like UV exposure, specifically UVA induced oxidative stress. This study also found that it supports collagen biosynthesis in human dermal fibroblasts. No clinical study has reported significant adverse effects and irritation reactions are very rare from this ingredient (even at 100% concentration). Overall, it's a fantastic ingredient for hydration and is suitable for all skin types. This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants. Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane. Read more about squalene with an "e". Though squalane is often called an oil, it’s technically not one. It is a hydrocarbon, meaning it is only made of carbon and hydrogen.