Shiseido WASO: Soft & Cushy Polishing Exfoliator Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant

Shiseido WASO: Soft & Cushy Polishing Exfoliator Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant Detailed comparison of Shiseido WASO: Soft & Cushy Polishing Exfoliator versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant. This oil-control exfoliator is formulated around Cellulose to balance excess oil. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Glycolic Acid to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin. No key ingredients Water Microcrystalline Cellulose Sd Alcohol 40-B Cellulose Dipropylene Glycol Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Glycerin Dimethicone Cetyl Ethylhexanoate Phenoxyethanol Carbomer Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Parfum Betaine Potassium Hydroxide Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer Xanthan Gum Limonene Hexyl Cinnamal Butylphenyl Methylpropional Sodium Metaphosphate Disodium EDTA Hydrogenated Lecithin CI 77492 Water, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sd Alcohol 40-B, Cellulose, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Parfum, Betaine, Potassium Hydroxide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Sodium Metaphosphate, Disodium EDTA, Hydrogenated Lecithin, CI 77492 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 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 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. Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!). It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome. On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive. Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10). You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own. Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU. Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages. Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon. 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!