Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA Versus Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA Versus Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster Detailed comparison of The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA versus Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Lactic Acid and Sodium Hyalur

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The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA Versus Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster Detailed comparison of The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA versus Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Lactic Acid and Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin. This calming treatment is formulated around Azelaic Acid and Salicylic Acid to calm redness and fade the look of dark spots. Water Lactic Acid Glycerin Pentylene Glycol Propanediol Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract Acacia Senegal Gum Xanthan Gum Isoceteth-20 Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate Sodium Hydroxide Ethylhexylglycerin 1,2-Hexanediol Caprylyl Glycol Water, Lactic Acid, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Isoceteth-20, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol Azelaic Acid C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate Cetearyl Alcohol Glyceryl Stearate Dimethicone Salicylic Acid Adenosine Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract Allantoin Bisabolol Cyclopentasiloxane Sclerotium Gum Butylene Glycol Phenoxyethanol Water, Azelaic Acid, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, Salicylic Acid, Adenosine, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. 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. Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin. It’s often used to: Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent. 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! Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny. On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together. Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.