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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid versus Paula's Choice 8% AHA Lotion Exfoliant .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on October 10, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 3 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, 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, parabens 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.

Essence South Korean Brand South Korea
Exfoliator American Brand United States

Essence

Essences are used to prep skin for further treatment and may provide extra skin benefits. They are usually used before serum and moisturizers. Essences are thought to have originated in either Japan or Korea and is an essential step in K-Beauty.

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 AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid

Starts at $10.39
Shop

Buy 8% AHA Lotion Exfoliant

Starts at $34.00

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
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

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

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Vitamin E (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation (5)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (3)
Brightening (4)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (2)
Rosacea
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: 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

COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid contains this as ingredient number 3.

Paula's Choice 8% AHA Lotion Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 2.

2
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium 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 Hydroxide

COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid contains this as ingredient number 5.

Paula's Choice 8% AHA Lotion Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 5.

3
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

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

lt is a humectant, meaning that it helps the skin attract and retain moisture.

Another benefit is the anti-inflammatory abilities. This means that it's great for sensitive, irritation-prone skin.

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

Learn more about Panthenol

COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid contains this as ingredient number 7.

Paula's Choice 8% AHA Lotion Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 23.

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

40% are loved or liked
40% have mixed ratings
10% are disliked or very disliked
10% have no rating yet
31% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
37% are disliked or very disliked
20% 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

COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid 10 ingredients

3.3 /5
from 4 ratings
Light (2) Absorbs Well (2) Irritating (1) Pilling (1) Light Scent (1) No Scent (1)
SpaceyTrxsh's avatar

SpaceyTrxsh

4 months ago · Oily Skin
Review

Seeing forever to see results

Zienn's avatar

Zienn

1 month ago · Oily Skin
Review

oily skin nothing change or happend when use
not working at all. but kinda clean my dead skin off.

Paula's Choice 8% AHA Lotion Exfoliant 35 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 1 rating

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 13 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 15 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice 8% AHA Lotion Exfoliant.

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