Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant Versus Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Daily Re-Texturizing Triple Acid Peel

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant Versus Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Daily Re-Texturizing Triple Acid Peel Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant versus Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Daily Re-Texturizing Triple Acid Peel. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Mandelic Acid and Lactic Acid to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin. This smoothing treatment is formulated around Glycolic Acid and Gluconolactone to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin. Water 2,3-Butanediol Mandelic Acid Lactic Acid Sodium Hydroxide Myrica Cerifera Fruit Extract Akebia Quinata Stem Extract Prunus Lannesiana Flower Extract Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate Saccharomyces Lysate Achillea Millefolium Extract Saccharide Isomerate Arginine Hydroxyacetophenone Butylene Glycol Sodium Phytate Pentylene Glycol Xanthan Gum Citric Acid Sodium Citrate 1,2-Hexanediol Caprylyl Glycol Sodium Benzoate Water, 2,3-Butanediol, Mandelic Acid, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Myrica Cerifera Fruit Extract, Akebia Quinata Stem Extract, Prunus Lannesiana Flower Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Saccharomyces Lysate, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Arginine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate Glycerin Glycolic Acid Gluconolactone Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water Propanediol Panthenol Allantoin Salicylic Acid Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate Hydroxyethylcellulose Copper Gluconate Coco-Betaine Carica Papaya Fruit Extract Potassium Sorbate Disodium Phosphate Polysorbate 60 Sodium Phosphate Water, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Gluconolactone, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Propanediol, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Panthenol, Allantoin, Salicylic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Copper Gluconate, Coco-Betaine, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Arginine, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Phosphate These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources. It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy. Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces. A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks. Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis. One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies. Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne. Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes. Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath. However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products. Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH. In skincare formulas, citric acid can: While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants. Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations. Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger. However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure. Lactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective. Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the “glue” that holds dead