Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads
This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores.
This smoothing exfoliating pad uses a pre-saturated pad with Lactic Acid and Lactococcus Ferment Lysate to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Betaine
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingBenzoic Acid
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Tromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPapain
Skin Conditioning
Saponins
CleansingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Poria Cocos Extract
Skin ConditioningProtease
Exfoliating
Saponaria Officinalis Leaf/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSubtilisin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Polysorbate 20, Methyl Gluceth-20, Lactic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Betaine, Propylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Dehydroacetic Acid, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Papain, Saponins, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Behenyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Stearyl Alcohol, Poria Cocos Extract, Protease, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf/Root Extract, Subtilisin, Tocopheryl Acetate
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 a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sodium 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 HydroxideWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
