Versus

innisfree Vitamin C Green Tea Enzyme Brightening Serum Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant

Serum
Exfoliator
Korean Brand South Korea
American Brand United States

Updated on August 26, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens, silicones 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Vitamin C Green Tea Enzyme Brightening Serum

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse. 

It is a:

  • Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
  • Emollient, helping to soften skin
  • Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
  • Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives 
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Butylene 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.

Skin Conditioning

Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate is a postbiotic with skin soothing properties. Postbiotics are inactive molecules produced by probiotic bacteria that provide skin benefits.

This ingredient comes from the secretion of the bacteria, Lactobacillus.

Studies show this ingredient can help calm redness and may help treat the signs of photoaging; however, the evidence is inconclusive and further studies are needed.

Learn more about Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan 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 Gum
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.

This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.

Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.

Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.

Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.

Learn more about Pentylene Glycol
Cleansing, Masking, Refreshing

Achillea Millefolium Extract comes from the yarrow plant. Yarrow is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids.

When to use

237 Routines
76% use in am
24% use in pm
93% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
244 Routines
28% use in am
72% use in pm
55% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

innisfree Vitamin C Green Tea Enzyme Brightening Serum 44 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Absorbs Well (2) Light (2) Works Well (2)
tofutzuy's avatar

Tofu ♡

4 months ago
Review

This product was really good was for my skin, I had a lot of dark spots and it rlly faded them away in a little over a month in time, saved myself from Graduation Pictures

#expensive
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well
24qcy2n9zr's avatar

24qcy2n9zr

3 months ago
Review

Best vitamin c product I’ve tried. Not sticky compared to other brands. Does not irritate or dry our sensitive skin/eczema when used with other moisturizing products.

#light
#absorbs well
#works well

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant 23 ingredients

4.5 /5
from 2 ratings
Absorbs Well (2) Light (2) Strong Scent (2)
laharinandipati's avatar

lahari nandipati

4 months ago
Review

Best AHA FOR SENSITIVE SKIN. Cleared up my skin and didn't effect my barrier.

#light
#absorbs well
#strong scent
seandupont1's avatar

Noner Seaner

2 months ago
Review

One of the best liquid exfoliants on the market. It’s not oily, but also not drying. I wouldn’t recommend using it during the day, since AHA’s can make you sensitive towards the sun.

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well