Estée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant - US
Updated on June 28, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 3 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and reducing pores
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens 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
Estée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher 54 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 8 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
Estée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher 54 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 8 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polysilicone-11
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingMorus Nigra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin Conditioning
Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Extract
AntimicrobialCastanea Sativa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin Conditioning
Amorphophallus Konjac Root Powder
Abrasive
Caffeine
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Salvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Coriandrum Sativum Oil
Masking
Citrus Grandis
Cholesterol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Isopentyldiol
HumectantPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Isohexadecane
EmollientPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Pantethine
EmollientMethyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
PEG-8
HumectantEthyl 2,2-Dimethylhydrocinnamal
Masking
Phospholipids
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Oligopeptide
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Sodium Glycinate
Skin ConditioningNordihydroguaiaretic Acid
Antioxidant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Iron Oxides
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Polysilicone-11, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sodium Lactate, Morus Nigra Root Extract, Yeast Extract, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Extract, Castanea Sativa Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Amorphophallus Konjac Root Powder, Caffeine, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Coriandrum Sativum Oil, Citrus Grandis, Cholesterol, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Squalane, Polyethylene, Isopentyldiol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 20, Pantethine, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polysorbate 80, PEG-8, Ethyl 2,2-Dimethylhydrocinnamal, Phospholipids, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Butylene Glycol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Sodium Glycinate, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Linalool, Iron Oxides, Mica, CI 77891
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 WaterPolysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Estée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher 54 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 8 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Estée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher 54 ingredients
I've been using Idealist since it first came out in 2000, and have loved it ever since. They've discontinued just this year, and I'm now desperate for any stock left, or for EL to bring it back...
I loved this stuff so much until they changed it to a plastic bottle cuz it also felt like they changed the formulation a bit at the same time. And then now of course it’s gone. Still dream of what that first formulation did for me 🥹
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 8 ingredients
The first night I used Paula’s choice exfoliant just once, it cleaned up my skin scraping it whole, I was left GLOWING but it felt kind of tight like I had been using corsx salicylic acid for 3 days straight, it takes some getting used to, to the extent that the instructions literally say to start off once a week and slowly build your usage up overtime, it’s really strong but does the job well. Show more
Blackheads? Gone. Dry flakes? Gone. Nose? Smooth. Clogged pores who? My skin tends to be sensitive at times but it could easily handle this product.
