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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Alpha-H Liquid Gold Exfoliating Tonic versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel .

Published on October 29, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free . They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

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

Toner Australian Brand Australia
Exfoliator American Brand United States

Toner

Toners are used as a “last-step” cleanser, a pH balancer, add moisture to the skin, or may help in reducing impurities on the skin. They have a liquid consistency and are usually used after cleansers but before treatments.

Exfoliator

Exfoliators are used to exfoliate the skin, or remove dead skin cells from the skin. Exfoliators may be chemical or physical.

Price

Shop

Buy Liquid Gold Exfoliating Tonic

Starts at $11.00
Shop

Buy Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel

Starts at $44.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

AHA

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

AHA (4)
BHA
Vitamin E
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture (3)
Reduces Large Pores (5)
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (6)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (7)

Concerns

Drying
Irritating (6)
Rosacea (5)
Eczema (2)
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: 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

Alpha-H Liquid Gold Exfoliating Tonic contains this as ingredient number 1.

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Loved

Glycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with research to back up its benefits. Its main role is to peel the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Glycolic Acid has shown to boost collage production, a protein that helps skin stay firm. Overall, Glycolic Acid helps with improving uneven tone, rough patches of skin, fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. It also increases skin hydration by playing a role in creating molecules that create hyaluronic acid naturally.

When applying Glycolic Acid, it is normal to feel slight stinging. The pH value and concentration of glycolic acid play a role in the effectiveness of the product.

Recent studies have shown Glycolic Acid may protect the skin against UV damage. However, you should always wear SPF, especially when using exfoliants.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Glycolic Acid

Alpha-H Liquid Gold Exfoliating Tonic contains this as ingredient number 3.

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: 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

Alpha-H Liquid Gold Exfoliating Tonic contains this as ingredient number 4.

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel contains this as ingredient number 14.

4
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

Alpha-H Liquid Gold Exfoliating Tonic contains this as ingredient number 7.

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel contains this as ingredient number 25.

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

67% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
33% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
56% are loved or liked
16% have mixed ratings
16% are disliked or very disliked
12% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Alpha-H Liquid Gold Exfoliating Tonic 9 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Alpha-H Liquid Gold Exfoliating Tonic.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel.

See 50 alternatives
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