Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Exfoliating Toner Versus Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser

Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Exfoliating Toner Versus Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser Detailed comparison of Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Exfoliating Toner versus Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser. This smoothing

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Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Exfoliating Toner Versus Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser Detailed comparison of Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Exfoliating Toner versus Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Niacinamide and Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water to refine skin texture and clear breakouts. This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores. Water Butylene Glycol Dipropylene Glycol Glycerin Niacinamide Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate Carica Papaya Fruit Extract Lens Esculenta Seed Extract Hamamelis Virginiana Extract Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract Swiftlet Nest Extract Sodium Hyaluronate Fructan Allantoin Adenosine Hydroxyethyl Urea Xylitol Salicylic Acid Lactobionic Acid Citric Acid Sodium Citrate 1,2-Hexanediol Benzyl Glycol Ethylhexylglycerin Raspberry Ketone Mentha Piperita Oil Water, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Swiftlet Nest Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Fructan, Allantoin, Adenosine, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Xylitol, Salicylic Acid, Lactobionic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Benzyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Raspberry Ketone, Mentha Piperita Oil Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate Sodium Laureth Sulfate Arginine PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate Panthenol Disodium EDTA PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Phenoxyethanol Caprylyl Glycol Chlorphenesin Salicylic Acid, Water, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer, Glycerin, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Arginine, Butylene Glycol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Panthenol, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons: Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients. Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness. 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. Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum. Topically, glycerin does several things at once: Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3. Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin. This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products. Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity. Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine. Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that str