La Roche-Posay Mela-D Pigment Control Face Serum Versus Paula's Choice Resist Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum
This brightening serum is formulated around Glycolic Acid and Capryloyl Salicylic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and refine skin texture.
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Resveratrol and Niacinamide to soften the look of wrinkles and calm redness.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Diisopropyl Adipate
EmollientPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-30 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingP-Anisic Acid
MaskingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Tetrasodium EDTA
ChelatingPolyquaternium-10
Water, Alcohol Denat., Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Diisopropyl Adipate, Propylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Citric Acid, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-30 Glyceryl Cocoate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, P-Anisic Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-10
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Polysilicone-11
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Quercetin
Antioxidant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Sea Whip Extract
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Antioxidant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Phytic Acid
Chelating
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
ChelatingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Polysilicone-11, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Hyaluronic Acid, Resveratrol, Niacinamide, Quercetin, Adenosine, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopherol, Phospholipids, Ubiquinone, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Sea Whip Extract, Bisabolol, Beta-Glucan, Phytic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 HydroxideWater. 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
