Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Ultra Gentle Daily Peel for Sensitive Skin
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
BufferingMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAchillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantSoy Isoflavones
Skin ConditioningCopper PCA
HumectantZinc PCA
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientRose Extract
Skin ConditioningTriethyl Citrate
MaskingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCoriandrum Sativum Fruit/Leaf Extract
AntiseborrhoeicFucus Vesiculosus Extract
EmollientJasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract
MaskingPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingBenzoic Acid
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Bicarbonate
AbrasiveSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantColloidal Oatmeal
AbsorbentCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningResveratrol
AntioxidantUbiquinone
AntioxidantLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialSodium PCA
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantOctoxynol-9
EmulsifyingTetrasodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Polysorbate 20, Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Soy Isoflavones, Copper PCA, Zinc PCA, Potassium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Rose Extract, Triethyl Citrate, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Coriandrum Sativum Fruit/Leaf Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Benzoic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Colloidal Oatmeal, Centella Asiatica Extract, Phospholipids, Adenosine, Resveratrol, Ubiquinone, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium PCA, Butylene Glycol, Octoxynol-9, Tetrasodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolPolysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Tetrasodium EDTA is the salt formed from neutralizing ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. It is a chelating agent and used to prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps keep the product and ingredients stable.
Tetrasodium EDTA comes as a white solid and is soluble in water.
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