Shani Darden Rescue Serum Versus Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster

Shani Darden Rescue Serum Versus Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster Detailed comparison of Shani Darden Rescue Serum versus Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster. This calming serum is formulated around Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate and Avena Sativa Kernel Extract to calm redness and strengthen the skin barrier. This calming treatment is formulated around Azelaic Acid and Salicylic Acid to calm redness and fade the look of dark spots. Water Dicaprylyl Carbonate Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate Maltodextrin 1,2-Hexanediol Propanediol Avena Sativa Kernel Extract Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Sodium Hyaluronate Panthenol Hydroxyacetophenone Lactic Acid Benzoic Acid Citric Acid Sodium Lactate Sodium Gluconate Sclerotium Gum Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate Xanthan Gum Glyceryl Stearate Stearyl Alcohol Water, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Maltodextrin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Lactic Acid, Benzoic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Gluconate, Sclerotium Gum, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol Azelaic Acid C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate Glycerin Cetearyl Alcohol Dimethicone Salicylic Acid Adenosine Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract Allantoin Bisabolol Cyclopentasiloxane Butylene Glycol Phenoxyethanol Water, Azelaic Acid, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, Salicylic Acid, Adenosine, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Glyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive. Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture. This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic. A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier. Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range. Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally. Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin. It’s often used to: Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent. Sclerotium Gum is a natural sugar-based fiber made by fermenting a fungus called Sclerotium rolfsii. It's often used as the plant-friendly alternative for synthetic thickeners like carbomer. In skincare, it works as a thickener, gel former, and stabilizer that keeps heavy ingredients suspended so a product does not separate. It is non-ionic and forms a triple helix in solution. This is just a fancy way of saying it builds a smooth, cushiony, and non-sticky gel that feels silkier than many other gums. Another perk of this ingredient is that it is very sturdy and holds up across a wide pH range (~2-11). It's also good at resisting heat and hydrolysis. Since it holds water at the skin surface, it can provide some light hydration as well. Typical use levels are around 0.25-2%; formulators usually use 0.2-0.5% to thicken lotions and up to 2% for a firmer gel base. This ingredient has been found safe in cosmetics with no meaningful evidence of skin sensitization. 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! Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny. On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together. Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great