Versus

By WishTrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water Versus Paula's Choice 8% AHA Lotion Exfoliant

Exfoliator
Exfoliator
Korean Brand South Korea
American Brand United States

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe exfoliators. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA

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 and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain oils

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
8% AHA Lotion Exfoliant

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

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.

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 Water
Skin Conditioning

Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.

There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.

D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.

Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):

Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.

This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.

Learn more about Panthenol
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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
Antimicrobial, Preservative

Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.

Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.

Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.

Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.

Learn more about Chlorphenesin
Skin Conditioning

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

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

When to use

195 Routines
19% use in am
81% use in pm
58% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
26 Routines
19% use in am
81% use in pm
54% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

By WishTrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water 22 ingredients

3.3 /5
from 9 ratings
Absorbs Well (3) Light (3) Great Value (2)
yallmad's avatar
Review

Mixed feelings
Don't get me wrong, I really like it! It has beta-glucan, natto gum, and hylauronic acid which is hydrating enough meaning it wont peel while the AHA exfoliates. it doesn't make my skin peel like cosrx or paula's choice exfoliators but it does sting and tingle a bit. keep in mind i am a tazarotene (retinoid) user, so that may be why... but I never used them together, obviously. my Show more

Yesthisisnaya's avatar

Amoy

10 months ago
Review

I have acne prone skin. This product gets rid of my texture and doesn’t irritate my inflamed pimples
This has never broken me out
But does not make a very drastic difference

#great value
#light
#absorbs well
#no scent

Paula's Choice 8% AHA Lotion Exfoliant 35 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 3 ratings
Absorbs Well (1) Light (1) No Scent (1)
AnastasiaMotiti_792's avatar

AnastasiaMotiti_792

10 months ago
Review

It has helped my skin texture immensely

#light
#absorbs well
#no scent
#works well