REN Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant

REN Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant Detailed comparison of REN Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant. This smoothing toner is formulated around Lactic Acid and Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Mandelic Acid and Lactic Acid to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin. Water Sodium Lactate Lactic Acid Heptyl Glucoside Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate Triethyl Citrate Glyceryl Caprylate Salix Nigra Bark Extract Benzoic Acid Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil Citrus Grandis Peel Oil Citrus Tangerina Peel Oil Heptanol Parfum Limonene Water, Sodium Lactate, Lactic Acid, Heptyl Glucoside, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Triethyl Citrate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Benzoic Acid, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Citrus Tangerina Peel Oil, Heptanol, Parfum, Limonene 2,3-Butanediol Mandelic 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 These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. 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 skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin. Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they don’t penetrate as deeply. This means they’re less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin. Like glycolic acid, it can: Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate. Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skin’s microbiome. To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4. Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time. Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations. When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the product’s pH. Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles. Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids. Read more about some other popular AHA's here: 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!