Numbuzin No.3 Skin Softening Serum Versus Paula's Choice Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide
This smoothing serum is formulated around Bifida Ferment Lysate and Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate to refine skin texture and strengthen the skin barrier.
This acne treatment is formulated around Benzoyl Peroxide and Bisabolol to clear breakouts and calm redness.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
PEG-90
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Alteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Silk Extract
Skin ConditioningGoat Milk Extract
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tropolone
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
ChelatingBifida Ferment Lysate, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Water, Niacinamide, PEG-90, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Squalane, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Silk Extract, Goat Milk Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Adenosine, Glycereth-26, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Tropolone, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Benzoyl Peroxide
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Citrate
BufferingLaureth-4
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
ChelatingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAWater. 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
