Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant. This smoothing

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

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Glycolic Acid to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin. This pore-care exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Phytosphingosine to refine the look of pores and refine skin texture. Water Glycolic Acid Sodium Hydroxide Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Aloe Ferox Leaf Juice Extract Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract Sodium Hyaluronate Panthenol Sodium PCA Propylene Glycol Butylene Glycol Hydroxyethylcellulose Polyquaternium-10 Phenoxyethanol Sodium Benzoate Water, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Aloe Ferox Leaf Juice Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyquaternium-10, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate Methylpropanediol Polysorbate 20 Salicylic Acid Phytosphingosine Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract Epilobium Angustifolium Extract Bisabolol Tetrasodium EDTA Water, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Salicylic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Extract, Bisabolol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide 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. Hydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure. This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product. This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients. Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective. In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline. Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated. "Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic. 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!