Versus

Paula's Choice Oil-Absorbing Mask Versus Paula's Choice Hydralight One Step Face Cleanser

Updated on May 03, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free . They have a total of 2 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils or silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

New Comparison

Paula's Choice Oil-Absorbing Mask

Wash Off Mask

American Brand United States

Paula's Choice Hydralight One Step Face Cleanser

Face Cleanser

American Brand United States

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

Paula's Choice Oil-Absorbing Mask 22 ingredients

Paula's Choice Hydralight One Step Face Cleanser 23 ingredients

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Paula's Choice Oil-Absorbing Mask 22 ingredients

Paula's Choice Hydralight One Step Face Cleanser 23 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Oil-Absorbing Mask

Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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.

Loved Full details ->

Kaolin Abrasive, Absorbent, Cosmetic Colorant

0 / 0

Exfoliant • 2 Benefits

Kaolin is a clay. It is used for oil control and to help minimize pores. Like other clays, kaolin has the ability to absorb excess sebum or oil. This can help clean out pores and mattify the skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Liked Full details ->

Bentonite Absorbent, Emulsion Stabilising

0 / 0

Bentonite is an aluminium phyllosilicate clay with great absorbent properties. The name 'bentonite' comes from the area where the largest source is found: Fort Benton, Wyoming.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Liked Full details ->

Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

0 / 0

2 Benefits

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Loved Full details ->

Salix Alba Extract Skin Conditioning

Salix Alba Extract comes from the white willow tree, which is native to Europe and Central Asia.

Mixed Full details ->

Stearic Acid Cleansing, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising

2-3 / 0

2 Concerns

Stearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.

2-3 Com. / 0 Irr.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Steareth-2 Emulsifying

2 / 2

Steareth-2 is a waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients. It is created from polyethylene glycol and stearyl alcohol.

2 Com. / 2 Irr.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder Skin Conditioning

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder comes from the aloe plant.

Liked Full details ->

Sea Whip Extract Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Sea Whip Extract.

Liked Full details ->

Colloidal Oatmeal Abrasive, Absorbent, Skin Protecting

Exfoliant • Helps reduce irritation

According to INCI standards, this ingredient refers to the physical ground up oatmeal. If you are looking for colloidal oatmeal in skincare, you'll most likely see Avena Sativa Kernel Extract on your ingredient list.

Loved Full details ->

Bisabolol Masking, Skin Conditioning, Soothing

Helps reduce irritation

Bisabolol is pimarily used to add fragrance to a product. However, it is also famous for helping soothe skin.

Loved Full details ->

Ascorbyl Palmitate Antioxidant, Masking

2 / 0

Vitamin C • Antioxidant • 6 Benefits • Not safe for Fungal Acne

Ascorbyl Palmitate is created by combining pure Vitamin C and palmitic acid. It is an antioxidant and helps reduce hyperpigmentation.

2 Com. / 0 Irr.

Disliked Full details ->

Tocopheryl Acetate Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning

0 / 0

Vitamin E • Antioxidant • Helps brighten skin

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Liked Full details ->

Phospholipids Skin Conditioning

Phospholipids are naturally found in our skin as they are the main component of cell membranes. Phospholipids have humectant, emollient, antioxidant properties.

Loved Full details ->

Panthenol Skin Conditioning

0 / 0

Helps reduce irritation

Panthenol (also referred to as pro-vitamin B5) is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Loved Full details ->

Retinyl Palmitate Skin Conditioning

1-3 / 1-3

Retinoid • 7 Benefits • 3 Concerns

Retinyl palmitate is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the superstar class of anti-aging ingredients that include tretinoin and retinol.

1-3 Com. / 1-3 Irr.

Mixed Full details ->

Caprylyl Glycol Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

Liked Full details ->

Butylene Glycol Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

1 / 0

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

1 Com. / 0 Irr.

Mixed Full details ->

Ethylhexylglycerin Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

Mixed Full details ->

Hexylene Glycol Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning, Solvent

0-2 / 0-1

Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant. Glycols are a class of alcohols. Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant and emulsifier.

0-2 Com. / 0-1 Irr.

Disliked Full details ->

Disodium EDTA

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

Disliked Full details ->

Phenoxyethanol Preservative

Preservative

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Hydralight One Step Face Cleanser

Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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.

Loved Full details ->

Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

0 / 0

2 Benefits

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Loved Full details ->

Sodium Laureth Sulfate Cleansing, Emulsifying, Foaming

Sulfate • Can worsen Dry Skin

Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Sodium PCA Humectant, Skin Conditioning

0 / 0

Sodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid and is naturally occurring on human skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Loved Full details ->

Sodium Lactate Buffering, Humectant

Sodium Lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid, an AHA. It is a humectant and used to adjust the pH of a product.

Liked Full details ->

Glycine Buffering, Skin Conditioning

Glycine is an amino acid that helps build proteins. It is already present in our skin as our bodies produce them naturally.

Loved Full details ->

Fructose Humectant

Fructose is fruit/plant sugar. It can be found in apples, figs, and honey.

Liked Full details ->

Urea Buffering, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

2 Benefits • 2 Concerns

Urea is also called carbamide and is the diamide of carbonic acid. In cosmetics, urea is used to hydrate the skin. It also provides exfoliation in higher concentrations.

Liked Full details ->

Niacinamide Smoothing

Niacinamide • 6 Benefits

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

Loved Full details ->

Inositol Humectant

Inositol is a sugar alcohol naturally found in the human body. Our bodies use this ingredient in the process of growing new cells.

Liked Full details ->

Lactic Acid Buffering, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

AHA • 6 Benefits • 3 Concerns

Lactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.

Loved Full details ->

Allantoin Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing

0 / 0

3 Benefits

Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Loved Full details ->

Sodium Hyaluronate Humectant, Skin Conditioning

0 / 0

Hyaluronic Acid

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Loved Full details ->

Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate Emulsifying

Not safe for Fungal Acne

Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate is created from polyethylene glycol and fatty acids from coconut oil.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate Cleansing, Foaming

Not safe for Fungal Acne

This gentle cleansing and foaming ingredient is known for leaving a smooth feeling in skin and hair. It is made using coconut oil.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Xanthan Gum Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

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.

Disliked Full details ->

Triethanolamine Buffering, Emulsifying, Masking

2 / 0

Triethanolamine is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.

2 Com. / 0 Irr.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Carbomer Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

1 / 0

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.

1 Com. / 0 Irr.

Disliked Full details ->

Benzophenone-3 UV Absorber, UV Filter

0 / 0

Chemical UV Filter • 2 Concerns

You probably know this ingredient as Oxybenzone, a sunscreen ingredient. It is a broad-spectrum sunscreen ingredient, meaning it can protect the skin against UVB and short UVA rays. The absorption range is 270-350 nm with peak absorption at 288 and 350 nm.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Unknown Full details ->

Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate Preservative

Preservative

Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate is a preservative.

Unknown Full details ->

Propylparaben Preservative

0 / 0

Preservative • Paraben • 2 Concerns

Propylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben with antifungal and antimicrobial properties.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Methylparaben Preservative

0 / 0

Preservative • Paraben • 2 Concerns

Methylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben. It is used to prevent the growth of fungus, mold, and other harmful bacteria. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in both cosmetics and food.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Sodium Benzoate Masking, Preservative

Preservative

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Disliked Full details ->

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Water

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Glycerin

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Loved

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

Ingredient Ratings

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

Oil-Absorbing Mask

liked

mixed

disliked

not rated

Hydralight One Step Face Cleanser

liked

mixed

disliked

not rated

When to use

Paula's Choice Oil-Absorbing Mask 22 ingredients

Paula's Choice Hydralight One Step Face Cleanser 23 ingredients

11 Routines

27% use in am

73% use in pm

45% use every day

2 Routines

50% use in am

50% use in pm

100% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Paula's Choice Oil-Absorbing Mask 22 ingredients

5.0 /5

from 1 rating

Great Value (1) Hydrating (1) Light (1)

MichelleR

5 months ago · Dry Skin

Review

Gorgeous clay mask. Aloe, Bisabolol, Vitamin C, Vitamin E - just gorgeous formulation. It's hard to choose between this and the Kiehl's Rare Earth...

Gorgeous clay mask. Aloe, Bisabolol, Vitamin C, Vitamin E - just gorgeous formulation. It's hard to choose between this and the Kiehl's Rare Earth Masque. I'll take them both!