SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser Versus Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster

SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser Versus Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster Detailed comparison of SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser versus Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin. This pore-care treatment is formulated around Niacinamide and Acetyl Glucosamine to refine the look of pores and refine skin texture. No concerns Water Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate Cocamidopropyl Betaine PEG/PPG-8/3 Diisostearate Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil Acrylates Copolymer Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract Saccharum Officinarum Extract Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract Citrus Limon Fruit Extract Acer Saccharum Extract Salicylic Acid Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Panthenol Bisabolol Citric Acid Glycerin Ethylhexylglycerin Sodium Hydroxide Disodium EDTA Potassium Sorbate Phenoxyethanol Lavandula Angustifolia Oil Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil Mica Tin Oxide Titanium Dioxide Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG/PPG-8/3 Diisostearate, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Acrylates Copolymer, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Salicylic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Panthenol, Bisabolol, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Mica, Tin Oxide, Titanium Dioxide Niacinamide Acetyl Glucosamine Ascorbyl Glucoside Butylene Glycol Phospholipids Sodium Hyaluronate Allantoin Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Ubiquinone Epigallocatechin Gallate Beta-Glucan Carnosine Genistein Sodium Citrate Xanthan Gum Water, Niacinamide, Acetyl Glucosamine, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Phospholipids, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Glycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Ubiquinone, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Beta-Glucan, Panthenol, Carnosine, Genistein, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol 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. Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes. Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath. However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products. Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH. In skincare formulas, citric acid can: While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants. Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations. Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger. However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure. Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air. This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with: On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it. One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin). Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption. You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%. Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that: The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure. Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations. Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant tha