Paula's Choice Defense Hydrating Gel-To-Cream Cleanser Versus Paula's Choice Defense Antioxidant Pore Purifier
Updated on July 18, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 5 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, 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
Paula's Choice Defense Hydrating Gel-To-Cream Cleanser 48 ingredients
Paula's Choice Defense Antioxidant Pore Purifier 38 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
Paula's Choice Defense Antioxidant Pore Purifier 38 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 ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Callus
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Coffea Arabica Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Phytic Acid
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Glycerin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Panthenol, Salicylic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Callus, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Coffea Arabica Fruit Extract, Ceramide NP, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Niacinamide, Phytic Acid, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Adenosine, Ubiquinone, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sucrose Stearate, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Carbomer, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
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 WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglyceridePhenoxyethanol 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.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Ingredient 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
Paula's Choice Defense Antioxidant Pore Purifier 38 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Paula's Choice Defense Hydrating Gel-To-Cream Cleanser 48 ingredients
Another great cleanser from Paula's Choice. I tend to favour this cleanser in the summer as it is very foamy and could worsen my dryness in the winter but if I need a deep clean I know I can count on this product. It has no scent and you only need a tiny amount so the value for money is great. I've repurchased this several times and absolutely love it.
Paula's Choice Defense Antioxidant Pore Purifier 38 ingredients
It is such a beautiful formula. It has all the right ingredients and feels great on my skin. Unfortunately, I cannot tolerate potent forms of Vitamin C. This product causes me to break out and I suspect it is the Ascorbyl Glucoside.
Great for redness reducing on dry/textured cheeks
