Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Paula's Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment versus PSA SKIN Liquid Clarity BHA & Bakuchiol Blemish Recovery Booster .
Published on April 22, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 12 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
Facial Treatment
Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.
Serum
Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.
Price
Ingredient Info
Paula's Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment 54 ingredients
PSA SKIN Liquid Clarity BHA & Bakuchiol Blemish Recovery Booster 27 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Paula's Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment 54 ingredients
PSA SKIN Liquid Clarity BHA & Bakuchiol Blemish Recovery Booster 27 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Paula's Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment 54 ingredients
PSA SKIN Liquid Clarity BHA & Bakuchiol Blemish Recovery Booster 27 ingredients
Water • Dimethicone • Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate • Isononyl Isononanoate • Butylene Glycol • Bakuchiol • Arachidyl Alcohol • Glyceryl Polymethacrylate • Dimethicone Crosspolymer • Behenyl Alcohol • Glycerin • Peg-75 Shea Butter Glycerides • Glyceryl Stearate • C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate • Polysorbate 20 • Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate • Retinol • Ceramide Ng • Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 • Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12 • Sodium Hyaluronate • Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract • Avena Sativa Kernel Extract • Arctium Lappa Root Extract • Salix Alba Bark Extract • Glycine Soja Sterols • Lecithin • Allantoin • Tocopheryl Acetate • Hydrolyzed Soy Protein • Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 • Sodium Hydroxide • Tribehenin • Caprylyl Glycol • Dipeptide-2 • Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract • Peg-10 Phytosterol • Peg-8 • Magnesium Aluminum Silicate • Arachidyl Glucoside • Chrysin • Pentylene Glycol • Sodium Acrylates Copolymer • Steareth-20 • Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer • Cetearyl Alcohol • Coco-Glucoside • Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone • N-Hydroxysuccinimide • Disodium EDTA • Phenoxyethanol • Benzoic Acid • Ethylhexylglycerin
Water • Propanediol • Glycerin • Isodecyl Neopentanoate • Salicylic Acid • Zinc PCA • Tocopheryl Acetate • Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate • Nigella Sativa Seed Oil • Bakuchiol • Salix Alba Bark Extract • Dimethyl Isosorbide • Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate • Cetearyl Isononanoate • Glycol Distearate • Caprylyl Glycol • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract • Allantoin • Bisabolol • Lecithin • Sodium Hyaluronate • Hyaluronic Acid • Sclerotium Gum • Sodium Gluconate • Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate • Sodium Acrylates Copolymer • Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterPaula's Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment contains this as ingredient number 1.
PSA SKIN Liquid Clarity BHA & Bakuchiol Blemish Recovery Booster contains this as ingredient number 1.
Bakuchiol is a plant-derived antioxidant (it's vegan!). It is often called the replacement for retinol although it is not part of the same family.
It has similar effects as retinol: skin smoothing, reducing discoloration, and preventing wrinkles. It does not cause as much irritation as traditional retinoids.
Bakuchiol works by breaking down free radicals and stimulating collagen production in skin.
Combining bakuchiol with retinol will not have adverse side effects. Studies show using them will just boost the benefits. Bakuchiol is also found to help stabilize retinol.
While bakuchiol does not make the skin more sun sensitive, we recommend wearing SPF on a daily basis.
Read more about traditional retinol
Learn more about BakuchiolPaula's Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment contains this as ingredient number 6.
PSA SKIN Liquid Clarity BHA & Bakuchiol Blemish Recovery Booster contains this as ingredient number 10.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinPaula's Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment contains this as ingredient number 11.
PSA SKIN Liquid Clarity BHA & Bakuchiol Blemish Recovery Booster contains this as ingredient number 3.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronatePaula's Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment contains this as ingredient number 21.
PSA SKIN Liquid Clarity BHA & Bakuchiol Blemish Recovery Booster contains this as ingredient number 21.
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractPaula's Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment contains this as ingredient number 23.
PSA SKIN Liquid Clarity BHA & Bakuchiol Blemish Recovery Booster contains this as ingredient number 17.
Salix Alba Bark Extract comes from the white willow tree, which is native to Europe and Central Asia.
Salix Alba Bark Extract has often been described as salicylic acid's cousin. This is due to the salicin it contains. However, studies are limited showing salix alba bark to be an effective salicylic acid alternative.
Salicin does have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It has shown to decrease the formation of inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor-α and nuclear factor-kappa B. Salicin also has a mildly exfoliating effect on the skin.
Several other components in salix alba bark extract also contain antioxidant properties, such as flavonoids and polyphenols. Antioxidants may help with anti-aging as they neutralize harmful free-radical molecules.
Willow Bark extract has been used for thousands of years. Ancient civilizations used white willow to help treat pain and fevers.
Learn more about Salix Alba Bark ExtractPaula's Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment contains this as ingredient number 26.
PSA SKIN Liquid Clarity BHA & Bakuchiol Blemish Recovery Booster contains this as ingredient number 11.
Lecithin is a term for a group of substances found in plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of fatty acids. These fatty acids usually are a mixture of phosphoric acid's choline ester connected to stearic, oleic, and palmitic acids. Most lecithins are created from plant ingredients scuh as sunflower.
Lecithin is an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin. The phospholipids in Lecithin can produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Learn more about LecithinPaula's Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment contains this as ingredient number 28.
PSA SKIN Liquid Clarity BHA & Bakuchiol Blemish Recovery Booster contains this as ingredient number 20.
Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.
Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinPaula's Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment contains this as ingredient number 29.
PSA SKIN Liquid Clarity BHA & Bakuchiol Blemish Recovery Booster contains this as ingredient number 18.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetatePaula's Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment contains this as ingredient number 30.
PSA SKIN Liquid Clarity BHA & Bakuchiol Blemish Recovery Booster contains this as ingredient number 7.
Caprylyl 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 GlycolPaula's Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment contains this as ingredient number 35.
PSA SKIN Liquid Clarity BHA & Bakuchiol Blemish Recovery Booster contains this as ingredient number 16.
We don't have a description for Sodium Acrylates Copolymer.
Paula's Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment contains this as ingredient number 44.
PSA SKIN Liquid Clarity BHA & Bakuchiol Blemish Recovery Booster contains this as ingredient number 26.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.
Paula's Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment contains this as ingredient number 52.
PSA SKIN Liquid Clarity BHA & Bakuchiol Blemish Recovery Booster contains this as ingredient number 27.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Paula's Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment 54 ingredients
PSA SKIN Liquid Clarity BHA & Bakuchiol Blemish Recovery Booster 27 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Paula's Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment 54 ingredients
PSA SKIN Liquid Clarity BHA & Bakuchiol Blemish Recovery Booster 27 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
PSA SKIN Liquid Clarity BHA & Bakuchiol Blemish Recovery Booster 27 ingredients
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Our Dupe Finder has found 4 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment.
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