Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Obagi Retinol 1.0

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Obagi Retinol 1.0 Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant US versus Obagi Retinol 1.0. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine s

This source-based comparison does not add ratings or recommend a winner.

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Obagi Retinol 1.0 Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant US versus Obagi Retinol 1.0. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores. This anti-aging treatment is formulated around Retinol to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture. Water Methylpropanediol Butylene Glycol Salicylic Acid Polysorbate 20 Camellia Oleifera Leaf Sodium Hydroxide Tetrasodium EDTA Water, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Camellia Oleifera Leaf, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Glyceryl Stearate Cyclopentasiloxane Stearic Acid Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Polysorbate 60 Stearyl Alcohol Glycerin Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer Retinol Dimethicone Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Hypericum Perforatum Flower Extract Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract Cyclohexasiloxane Sorbitol Tocopheryl Acetate Ascorbic Acid Ubiquinone Sodium Hyaluronate Propylene Glycol BHT Bisabolol Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Disodium EDTA Triethanolamine Carbomer Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer Caprylyl Glycol Ethylhexylglycerin Hexylene Glycol Phenoxyethanol Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polysorbate 60, Stearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Dimethicone, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Hypericum Perforatum Flower Extract, Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Cyclohexasiloxane, Sorbitol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Ubiquinone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propylene Glycol, BHT, Bisabolol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, 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. 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. Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable. It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better. The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane. Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins). True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics. Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. 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!