Estée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
This pore-care serum is formulated around Acetyl Glucosamine and Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract to refine the look of pores.
This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polysilicone-11
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Morus Nigra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningFaex Extract
Skin ConditioningSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Triticum 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 Oil
Masking
Amorphophallus Konjac Root Powder
Abrasive
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin Protecting
Tocopheryl 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
Humectant
Phenyl 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 Conditioning
Palmitoyl 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
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Polysilicone-11, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sodium Lactate, Morus Nigra Root Extract, Faex 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 Oil, 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, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, Mica, CI 77891
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolPolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Water. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
