Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Versus Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser
Updated on July 18, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin and sensitive skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances or parabens
What's Inside
They both contain 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
Clinique Liquid Facial Soap 23 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser 18 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
Clinique Liquid Facial Soap 23 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser 18 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingLauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate
CleansingTea-Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingDi-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Sucrose
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cetyl Triethylmonium Dimethicone PEG-8 Succinate
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-7
Laureth-2
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Sulfate
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
EDTA
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate, Di-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sucrose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cetyl Triethylmonium Dimethicone PEG-8 Succinate, Butylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-7, Laureth-2, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Sulfate, Tocopheryl Acetate, EDTA, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingAcrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate
Cleansing
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Arginine
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Salicylic Acid, Water, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer, Glycerin, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Arginine, Butylene Glycol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Panthenol, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin
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 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.
SLES helps create foam in personal products. It also prevents ingredients from separating, helping to elongate the shelf life.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
Learn more about Sodium Laureth SulfateButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Clinique Liquid Facial Soap 23 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser 18 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Clinique Liquid Facial Soap 23 ingredients
Stung my eyes (and I didn't put any in my eyes😔)
Dries the skin, feels like it strips oils from face and that gives clean feeling without properly cleansing. Has a strong fake chemical scent.
I have oily skin and works decently but it’s not my favourite product to use.
Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser 18 ingredients
[THIS IS A REVIEW FROM 2019]
(Pasting my review from the Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution bc I used them together and had great results)
I’m new to SkinSort but I really wanted to write a review for this bc the Paula’s Choice acne line actually changed my life… when I was in uni I had a super oily T-zone and crazy acne on my forehead so I bought the PC extra strength travel kit to try out Show more
The Paula’s Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser was a bit too drying for my skin. After learning about fungal acne and realizing the cleanser isn’t fungal acne safe, I decided to stop using it.
