Versus

Paula's Choice Defense Hydrating Gel-To-Cream Cleanser Versus Peach & Lily Power Calm Hydrating Gel Cleanser

Face Cleanser
Face Cleanser
American Brand United States
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on December 16, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 6 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 and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant 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

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Defense Hydrating Gel-To-Cream Cleanser
Power Calm Hydrating Gel Cleanser

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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 Glycerin

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder comes from the aloe plant.

You may know Aloe to be a good sunburn reliever and inflammation reducer. This is because it contains many components that are known to help reduce irritation and itchiness.

Aloe leaves are also great moisturizers. They are naturally rich in polysaccharides, a carbohydrate made of sugars. Polysaccharides are able to mimic the carbs found in the top layer of your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.

Aloe contains the antioxidants Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins neutralize free radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.

Aloe does not protect against UV rays, despite it soothing sunburns.

Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Buffering, Masking

Sodium 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 Citrate
Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.

This ingredient has many skin benefits:

This ingredient contains polyphenols, a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off molecules that damage skin cells.

On top of that, the antioxidants in green tea neutralize free-radicals from the sun. This gives the skin some extra UV protection, but should not replace sunscreen.

Many components of tea have anti-inflammatory properties.

Polyphenols and L-theanine help soothe the skin and reduce irritation. The caffeine in Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract helps calm inflamed blood vessels.

Other compounds found in tea include: Vitamin Bs, linoleic acid, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.

Research has shown both drinking Camellia Sinensis Leaf Tea and applying it to the skin can help boost skin elasticity and hydration. Studies also show using tea extract may reduce sebum, or oil, production.

Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning

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.

When to use

39 Routines
44% use in am
56% use in pm
90% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
426 Routines
46% use in am
54% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Paula's Choice Defense Hydrating Gel-To-Cream Cleanser 48 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
Great Value (1) No Scent (1) Works Well (1)
samanthamary's avatar

Samantha Dyer

8 months ago
Review

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.

#great value
#no scent
#works well

Peach & Lily Power Calm Hydrating Gel Cleanser 37 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 13 ratings
Works Well (6) Hydrating (5) Light (3)
Jinx's avatar

Jinx

1 year ago
Review

This is my holy grail cleanser, I have been through more bottles of it than almost any other skincare product. This is gentle, non drying, it doesn’t strip my skin, perfect second step in a double cleanse routine.
This is for people who really wanted to love the Glossier Milk Jelly cleanser but thought it didn’t work well and that they needed something with just a tiny bit more cleansing power. Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#works well
KyleighWallace_646's avatar

KyleighWallace_646

1 year ago
Review

Holy grail cleanser. Absolutely the perfect spot between actually cleaning the oils off your face but still being hydrated. After using your face feels so clean but not dry or tight just SOFT!!! I could not give this higher praise, I just wish it wasn’t so expensive. But for how good it is and how I’ve been unable to find any other cleansers that even remotely come close, I understand it as a Show more

#great value
#expensive
#hydrating
#no scent