PCA Skin Pigment Gel Versus Face Reality Skincare 8% L-Mandelic Serum

PCA Skin Pigment Gel Versus Face Reality Skincare 8% L-Mandelic Serum Detailed comparison of PCA Skin Pigment Gel versus Face Reality Skincare 8% L-Mandelic Serum. This brightening serum is formulated around Lactic Acid and Kojic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin. This acne serum is formulated around Mandelic Acid and Lactic Acid to clear breakouts and refine skin texture. Water Alcohol Denat. Hamamelis Virginiana Water Lactic Acid Butylene Glycol Kojic Acid Azelaic Acid Alcohol Hydroxyethylcellulose Phenylethyl Resorcinol BHT Glutathione Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract Water, Alcohol Denat., Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Lactic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Kojic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Alcohol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, BHT, Glutathione, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract Mandelic Acid PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate Niacinamide Sodium Lactate Xanthan Gum Sodium PCA Sodium Hyaluronate Urea Phenethyl Alcohol Caprylyl Glycol Potassium Sorbate Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Mandelic Acid, Alcohol, Lactic Acid, Butylene Glycol, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Alcohol Denat., Niacinamide, Sodium Lactate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium PCA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Urea, Phenethyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate 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. This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use. In formulas, it: Is it bad for your skin? The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration. Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration. In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily. This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes. Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling). Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier. According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients. True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin. Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives. The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol). This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin. However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad. Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin. This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application. Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged. Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments. The rule of thumb is this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list. One thing to note: People with ALDH2 (aldehyde