Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Walgreens 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant With Salicylic Acid

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Walgreens 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant With Salicylic Acid Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant EU versus Walgreens 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant With Salicylic Acid. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and clear breakouts. Water Methylpropanediol Butylene Glycol Salicylic Acid Polysorbate 20 Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract Sodium Hydroxide Tetrasodium EDTA Phenoxyethanol Water, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol Hydroxyacetophenone Ethylhexylglycerin Water, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Tetrasodium EDTA, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin 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. Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract comes from the leaves of the tea oil plant, the cousin of the green tea plant Camellia Sinensis. This ingredient is mainly added to skincare as a mild skin-conditioning and astringent ingredient. Early lab studies show it can calm inflammation and slightly inhibit the enzyme that triggers dark spots. Modern studies also show it to have antibacterial and antioxidant effects that support anti-inflammatory use. There's no dedicated safety review for this ingredient for now, but its cousin Camellia Sinensis has been reviewed and found to be without safety concerns. Like most botanical extracts, this ingredient carries a low but real chance of contact allergy or mild irritation in sensitive individuals. Methylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster. Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid. 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 al