Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant Exfoliator Versus Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe exfoliators. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants
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, 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
Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant Exfoliator 64 ingredients
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant 25 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
Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant Exfoliator 64 ingredients
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant 25 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentSodium Bicarbonate
Abrasive
Sorbitol
Humectant
Zea Mays Starch
AbsorbentSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentMagnesium Oxide
AbsorbentCitric Acid
Buffering
Tapioca Starch
Avena Sativa Kernel Protein
Skin ConditioningCamellia Oleifera Seed Extract
AstringentSilica
Abrasive
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientInulin
Skin ConditioningCassia Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Silybum Marianum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Kaolin
Abrasive
Lauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Papain
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Avena Sativa Bran Extract
Abrasive
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil
Astringent
Salvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil
Masking
Cucurbita Pepo Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sea Salt
Abrasive
Juniperus Virginiana Oil
Masking
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Castoryl Maleate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Diglycerin
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDextrin
AbsorbentSodium Palmitate
CleansingSodium Chloride
Masking
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingWater
Skin ConditioningO-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sorbitol, Zea Mays Starch, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Saccharomyces Ferment, Oryza Sativa Starch, Magnesium Oxide, Citric Acid, Tapioca Starch, Avena Sativa Kernel Protein, Camellia Oleifera Seed Extract, Silica, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Inulin, Cassia Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil, Kaolin, Lauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Papain, Hyaluronic Acid, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Avena Sativa Bran Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil, Cucurbita Pepo Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Sea Salt, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Tocopherol, Castoryl Maleate, Caprylyl Glycol, Allantoin, Diglycerin, Maltodextrin, Lauroyl Lysine, Arginine, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Beta-Carotene, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Dextrin, Sodium Palmitate, Sodium Chloride, Acacia Senegal Gum, Sodium Citrate, Water, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Epilobium Angustifolium Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Cetyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Sorbitan Stearate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lauric Acid, Allantoin, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Extract, Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract is is derived from colloidal oatmeal. Besides being a healthy breakfast, oats have many benefits in skincare too.
This ingredient helps sooth, hydrate, and protect the skin. The starches in colloidal oatmeal are able to bind water, keeping the skin hydrated.
The cellulose and fiber in colloidal oatmeal help reduce inflammation. This can also help the skin feel softer.
Colloidal Oatmeal is also an antioxidant. Antioxidants protect our skin from free-radical damage.
Oatmeal also contains beneficial compounds:
This ingredient is created by mixing grounded oatmeal and a liquid base.
Learn more about Avena Sativa Kernel ExtractCaprylyl 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 GlycolAllantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.
Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumEthylhexylglycerin (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.
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 WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant Exfoliator 64 ingredients
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant 25 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant Exfoliator 64 ingredients
I have used this product on and off for ~5 months, most frequently when I felt extremely dry from stripping my skin barrier. I had a lot of flaking and wanted it gone ASAP. I chose this product at that time because of Dermalogica's claims that this product "supports moisture barrier" & "soothes/relieves skin" while getting rid of the texture I hated so much. It sounded like it would address a lot Show more
helps get rid of textured skin but is super drying.
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant 25 ingredients
Why are brands still putting Dimethicone in products 🙄
Strangely oily. The first time I used this I thought it worked wonders but over time lost it's effectiveness and I started breaking out again. When I had another recent breakout, it did absolutely nothing and makes me think that this was contributing to my breakouts all along.
