Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

Superdrug Me+ BHA Toner Versus Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment

Superdrug Me+ BHA Toner Versus Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment Detailed comparison of Superdrug Me+ BHA Toner versus Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and refine the look of pore

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Superdrug Me+ BHA Toner Versus Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment Detailed comparison of Superdrug Me+ BHA Toner versus Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores. This acne treatment is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and refine the look of pores. Water Propylene Glycol Propanediol Polysorbate 20 Salicylic Acid Betaine Panthenol Phenoxyethanol Sodium Hydroxide Caprylyl Glycol Allantoin Disodium EDTA Water, Propylene Glycol, Propanediol, Polysorbate 20, Salicylic Acid, Betaine, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA PEG-75 Stearate PEG-8 Glycerin Avena Sativa Kernel Extract Butylene Glycol Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract Sea Whip Extract Arginine Propylene Glycol, PEG-75 Stearate, PEG-8, Water, Salicylic Acid, Glycerin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Butylene Glycol, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Sea Whip Extract, Arginine, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA 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. 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%. Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable. It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better. The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane. Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins). True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics. Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent. As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes. The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations. True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant). It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions. Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue. Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores t