alpyn beauty Pore Perfecting Liquid with 2% BHA + Borage Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant
Updated on January 04, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . 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 parabens, silicones or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
alpyn beauty Pore Perfecting Liquid with 2% BHA + Borage 41 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant 23 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
alpyn beauty Pore Perfecting Liquid with 2% BHA + Borage 41 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant 23 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventSalicylic Acid
Masking
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingBorago Officinalis Extract
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Phytic Acid
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Phyllostachys Bambusoides Extract
Skin ConditioningSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Davidiana Extract
Antioxidant
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Medicago Sativa Extract
TonicAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Collagen
Moisturising
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Propanediol, Salicylic Acid, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Borago Officinalis Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Benzyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Ascorbic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Phytic Acid, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Maltodextrin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Phyllostachys Bambusoides Extract, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Prunus Davidiana Extract, Beta-Sitosterol, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Medicago Sativa Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Centella Asiatica Extract, Collagen, Sorbic Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Citric Acid
Water
Skin Conditioning2,3-Butanediol
HumectantMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingMyrica Cerifera Fruit Extract
HumectantAkebia Quinata Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Lannesiana Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Lysate
Skin ConditioningAchillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantArginine
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Phytate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, 2,3-Butanediol, Mandelic Acid, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Myrica Cerifera Fruit Extract, Akebia Quinata Stem Extract, Prunus Lannesiana Flower Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Saccharomyces Lysate, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Arginine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideSodium 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.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
alpyn beauty Pore Perfecting Liquid with 2% BHA + Borage 41 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant 23 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
alpyn beauty Pore Perfecting Liquid with 2% BHA + Borage 41 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant 23 ingredients
Best AHA FOR SENSITIVE SKIN. Cleared up my skin and didn't effect my barrier.
One of the best liquid exfoliants on the market. It’s not oily, but also not drying. I wouldn’t recommend using it during the day, since AHA’s can make you sensitive towards the sun.
