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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 Theramid Smoothing Treatment .

Last updated on October 13, 2023. Published on December 30, 2023

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 and peptides

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any oils, parabens 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
Exfoliator German Brand Germany

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Exfoliator

Exfoliators are used to exfoliate the skin, or remove dead skin cells from the skin. Exfoliators may be chemical or physical.

Price

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
PHA
Peptides

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea (2)
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Ingredients Compared

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

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.

Theramid Smoothing Treatment contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Hydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin. Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between molecule hydrogen and another element.

Hydrogenated Lecithin is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within.

The phospholipids in Hydrogenated Lecithin can produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier to be better absorbed.

As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.

Learn more about Hydrogenated Lecithin

Paula's Choice RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA contains this as ingredient number 24.

Theramid Smoothing Treatment contains this as ingredient number 11.

3
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.

Theramid Smoothing Treatment contains this as ingredient number 21.

4
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

Paula's Choice RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA contains this as ingredient number 33.

Theramid Smoothing Treatment contains this as ingredient number 19.

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
33% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
52% are disliked or very disliked
5% 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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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 1 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Theramid Smoothing Treatment.

See 1 alternatives
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