Superdrug Me+ BHA Toner Versus Paula's Choice Calm 1% BHA Sensitive Skin Exfoliant

Superdrug Me+ BHA Toner Versus Paula's Choice Calm 1% BHA Sensitive Skin Exfoliant Detailed comparison of Superdrug Me+ BHA Toner versus Paula's Choice Calm 1% BHA Sensitive Skin Exfoliant. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Allantoin to refine skin texture and calm redness. 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 Methylpropanediol Dicaprylyl Carbonate C15-19 Alkane Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer Inulin Tocopherol Ethylhexylglycerin Hexylene Glycol Sorbitan Isostearate Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide Glycerin Laminaria Digitata Extract Albatrellus Confluens Extract Glycine Soja Oil Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract Galactoarabinan Citric Acid Schizophyllan Maltodextrin Water, Methylpropanediol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, C15-19 Alkane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Salicylic Acid, Propanediol, Inulin, Caprylyl Glycol, Allantoin, Tocopherol, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Glycerin, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Albatrellus Confluens Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Galactoarabinan, Citric Acid, Schizophyllan, Maltodextrin, 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. Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics. Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity. Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation. It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh. Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated. This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%. Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating. Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism. Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created. Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin. Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on). 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 react