Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser Versus Peter Thomas Roth Acne Clearing Wash
Updated on July 18, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both face cleansers. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or silicones
What's Inside
They both contain oils and 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
Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser 18 ingredients
Peter Thomas Roth Acne Clearing Wash 30 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser 18 ingredients
Peter Thomas Roth Acne Clearing Wash 30 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingAcrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate
Cleansing
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Arginine
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Salicylic Acid, Water, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer, Glycerin, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Arginine, Butylene Glycol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Panthenol, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Parfum
Masking
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingLimonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Emulsifying
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberSodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningAllantoin, BHT, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Citric Acid, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Parfum, Lauryl Glucoside, Limonene, Linalool, Panthenol, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Tocopherol, Water
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 WaterSodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.
SLES helps create foam in personal products. It also prevents ingredients from separating, helping to elongate the shelf life.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
Learn more about Sodium Laureth SulfatePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolDisodium 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 EDTACitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitratePhenoxyethanol 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
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser 18 ingredients
Peter Thomas Roth Acne Clearing Wash 30 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser 18 ingredients
[THIS IS A REVIEW FROM 2019]
(Pasting my review from the Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution bc I used them together and had great results)
I’m new to SkinSort but I really wanted to write a review for this bc the Paula’s Choice acne line actually changed my life… when I was in uni I had a super oily T-zone and crazy acne on my forehead so I bought the PC extra strength travel kit to try out Show more
The Paula’s Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser was a bit too drying for my skin. After learning about fungal acne and realizing the cleanser isn’t fungal acne safe, I decided to stop using it.
