Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Paula's Choice Resist Advanced Replenishing Toner
This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores.
This barrier-repair toner is formulated around Linoleic Acid and Phospholipids to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingDimethiconol
EmollientLinoleic Acid
CleansingOleic Acid
EmollientLinolenic Acid
CleansingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningCarnosine
Skin ConditioningEpigallocatechin Gallate
AntioxidantGenistein
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSphingolipids
EmollientFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialLaurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningQuercetin
AntioxidantOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCucurbita Pepo Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPalmitic Acid
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLaureth-23
CleansingLaureth-4
EmulsifyingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingDisodium EDTA
ChelatingSodium Benzoate
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialBenzoic Acid
MaskingSorbic Acid
PreservativeWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Polysorbate 20, Dimethiconol, Linoleic Acid, Oleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Phospholipids, Carnosine, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Genistein, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sphingolipids, Ferulic Acid, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Quercetin, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract, Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Palmitic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Laureth-23, Laureth-4, Aminomethyl Propanol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid
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 20Water. 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