O Cosmedics Exfoliating Cleanser Versus Paula's Choice The Unscrub
Updated on August 30, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe exfoliators. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and sensitive skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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
O Cosmedics Exfoliating Cleanser 28 ingredients
Paula's Choice The Unscrub 23 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
O Cosmedics Exfoliating Cleanser 28 ingredients
Paula's Choice The Unscrub 23 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Isopropyl Isostearate
Emollient
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Diatomaceous Earth
Abrasive
Persea Gratissima Fruit Butter
EmollientZeolite
AbsorbentAcetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentNiacinamide
Smoothing
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Thermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed
Abrasive
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Jojoba Esters, Glycerin, Isopropyl Isostearate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Diheptyl Succinate, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Diatomaceous Earth, Persea Gratissima Fruit Butter, Zeolite, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningJojoba Esters
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emulsifying
Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingPPG-20 Methyl Glucose Ether
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
Sapindus Mukorossi Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingC13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Jojoba Esters, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Decyl Glucoside, PPG-20 Methyl Glucose Ether, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Polyacrylamide, Sapindus Mukorossi Peel Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Laureth-7, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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 WaterJojoba Esters is a wax created from Jojoba oil. It is an emollient and film-forming ingredient. In bead form, it is an exfoliator.
This ingredient has high oxidative stability, meaning it doesn't break down when exposed to oxygen.
Its similarity to our skin's natural oils makes it a great emollient. Emollients help soften and soothe our skin by creating a barrier on top. This barrier helps trap moisture in, keeping skin hydrated.
It is created using either the hydrogenation or transesterification processes on jojoba oil.
Learn more about Jojoba EstersGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients.
Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent alcohols. FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateXanthan 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 GumDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTACaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Ingredient Ratings
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When to use
O Cosmedics Exfoliating Cleanser 28 ingredients
Paula's Choice The Unscrub 23 ingredients
Reviews
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