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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Paula's Choice RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA versus The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA .

Last updated on November 16, 2023. Published on January 03, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any oils, parabens, silicones 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 American Brand United States
Serum Canadian Brand Canada

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

Shop

Buy RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA

Starts at $39.00
Shop

Buy Lactic Acid 10% + HA

Starts at $8.90

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

AHA (4)
BHA
Exfoliators
Ceramides
Peptides (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing (4)
Reduces Irritation (5)
Skin Texture (4)
Reduces Large Pores (6)
Anti-Aging (5)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (7)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (6)

Concerns

Drying
Irritating (5)
Rosacea (6)
Eczema (3)

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Irritating (2)
Rosacea
Eczema
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Water

Paula's Choice RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA contains this as ingredient number 1.

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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

Paula's Choice RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA contains this as ingredient number 4.

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
What it does: Buffering, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Lactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.

Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.

Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.

Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.

Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Lactic Acid

Paula's Choice RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA contains this as ingredient number 5.

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA contains this as ingredient number 2.

4
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

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 Hydroxide

Paula's Choice RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA contains this as ingredient number 31.

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA contains this as ingredient number 6.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

59% are loved or liked
15% have mixed ratings
21% are disliked or very disliked
6% have no rating yet
57% are loved or liked
36% have mixed ratings
7% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Paula's Choice RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA 34 ingredients

RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA 14 ingredients

3.7 /5
from 14 ratings
No Scent (3) Absorbs Well (2) Great Value (2) Light (2) Works Well (2) Hydrating (1)
MersaydesBaines_539's avatar

MersaydesBaines_539

1 year ago · Dry Skin
Review

SAVED MY SKIN! i have perioral dermatitis so irritation & redness is important 4 me. broke out everywhere after purging the topicals i used daily...

SAVED MY SKIN! i have perioral dermatitis so irritation & redness is important 4 me. broke out everywhere after purging the topicals i used daily for 4 years straight & this saved me and keeps me glowy!! best invention

szabo_k's avatar

szabo_k

3 years ago · Dry Skin
Review

LOVE THIS FOR MY SENSITIVE SKIN
I have been using this product for a few months now and my skin is more even and more bright. It docent irritate my...

LOVE THIS FOR MY SENSITIVE SKIN
I have been using this product for a few months now and my skin is more even and more bright. It docent irritate my skin at all. LOVE IT!

This exfoliator should not be used every night no matter how strong your skin is. 2 times a week is enough or else you are over exfoliating.

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 11 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA.

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