Paula's Choice Defense Hydrating Gel-To-Cream Cleanser Versus Earth Science Naturals Clarifying Facial Wash - Fragrance
Updated on November 27, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, oils, parabens or silicones
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 Defense Hydrating Gel-To-Cream Cleanser 48 ingredients
Earth Science Naturals Clarifying Facial Wash 26 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 Defense Hydrating Gel-To-Cream Cleanser 48 ingredients
Earth Science Naturals Clarifying Facial Wash 26 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Lauroamphoacetate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Sorbeth-230 Tetraoleate
Emulsifying
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
Masking
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingLauric Acid
Cleansing
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids
CleansingSorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cocoyl Proline
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
BufferingArginine
Masking
Glycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Aspartic Acid
Masking
PCA
Humectant
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
MaskingSerine
Masking
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Potassium Citrate
BufferingLactoperoxidase
StabilisingHistidine
Humectant
Phenylalanine
Masking
Glucose Oxidase
StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Sorbeth-230 Tetraoleate, Decyl Glucoside, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Lauric Acid, Lactic Acid, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Sorbitan Laurate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Disodium EDTA, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cocoyl Proline, Sodium Citrate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Glycine Soja Sterols, Linoleic Acid, Phospholipids, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Potassium Citrate, Lactoperoxidase, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Glucose Oxidase, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Betula Alba Bark Extract
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Grandis Seed Extract
Astringent
Bixa Orellana Seed Extract
MaskingZinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Chloride
Masking
PEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Panthenol, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Citrus Grandis Seed Extract, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract, Zinc Sulfate, Allantoin, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, PEG-150 Distearate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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 AcidCocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineGlycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWater. 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
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Paula's Choice Defense Hydrating Gel-To-Cream Cleanser 48 ingredients
Earth Science Naturals Clarifying Facial Wash 26 ingredients
Reviews
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