Paula's Choice Daily Smoothing Treatment With 5% AHA Versus Fenty Beauty Pre-Show Glow Instant Retexturizing 10% AHA Treatment
Updated on July 18, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA
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, oils, parabens 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
Paula's Choice Daily Smoothing Treatment With 5% AHA 36 ingredients
Fenty Beauty Pre-Show Glow Instant Retexturizing 10% AHA Treatment 25 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 Daily Smoothing Treatment With 5% AHA 36 ingredients
Fenty Beauty Pre-Show Glow Instant Retexturizing 10% AHA Treatment 25 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyacrylamide
Dimethicone
Emollient
PPG-14 Butyl Ether
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane
Antioxidant
Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane
Antioxidant
Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane
Antioxidant
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates
CleansingPEG-10 Phytosterol
EmulsifyingVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Tribehenin
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Pvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer
Disodium EDTA
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycolic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Polyacrylamide, Dimethicone, PPG-14 Butyl Ether, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Ceramide Ng, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Salicylic Acid, Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates, PEG-10 Phytosterol, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Tribehenin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, PEG-40 Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Pvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering
Papain
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentMalpighia Punicifolia Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberParfum
Masking
Water, Glycolic Acid, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Butylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Glycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, Papain, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Malpighia Punicifolia Fruit Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Cyanocobalamin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl 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 GlycolGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with a ton of research to back up its benefits.
Its main role is to remove the top layer of dead skin cells, allowing newer skin cells to emerge.
Specifically, AHAs work by breaking down the structural "glue" holding the old skin cells in place. Getting rid of the old skin cells allows skin to regenerate newer skin cells in its place. A build up of dead skin cells can lead to tired and dull looking skin.
Due to this, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid increases skin hydration by playing a role in creating molecules that create hyaluronic acid naturally.
When starting glycolic Acid, it is normal to feel slight stinging.
The pH value and concentration of glycolic acid play a role in the effectiveness of the product. Concentrations between 5-20% glycolic acid have been shown to be effective in clinical studies.
Recent studies have shown Glycolic Acid may protect the skin against UV damage. However, you should always wear SPF, especially when using exfoliants.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterIngredient Ratings
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