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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant versus Summer Fridays Soft Reset AHA Exfoliating Solution .

Published on November 04, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe exfoliators. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA and hyaluronic acid

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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.

Exfoliator American Brand United States
Exfoliator American Brand United States

Exfoliator

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

Exfoliator

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

Price

Shop

Buy Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant

Starts at $17.00
Shop

Buy Soft Reset AHA Exfoliating Solution

Starts at $58.00

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
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation (3)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Brightening

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

AHA (3)
Vitamin C
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation (3)
Skin Texture (3)
Reduces Large Pores (5)
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots (3)
Scar Healing (3)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (6)

Concerns

Irritating (4)
Rosacea (3)
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 Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 1.

Summer Fridays Soft Reset AHA Exfoliating Solution contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Loved

Glycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with research to back up its benefits. Its main role is to peel the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Glycolic Acid has shown to boost collage production, a protein that helps skin stay firm. Overall, Glycolic Acid helps with improving uneven tone, rough patches of skin, fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. It also increases skin hydration by playing a role in creating molecules that create hyaluronic acid naturally.

When applying Glycolic Acid, it is normal to feel slight stinging. The pH value and concentration of glycolic acid play a role in the effectiveness of the product.

Recent studies have shown Glycolic Acid may protect the skin against UV damage. However, you should always wear SPF, especially when using exfoliants.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Glycolic Acid

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 2.

Summer Fridays Soft Reset AHA Exfoliating Solution contains this as ingredient number 6.

3
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Chamomilla Recutita Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.

Chamomile is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Several compounds found in chamomile help with soothing, such as bisbolol.

Antioxidant components in chamomile help fight free-radical molecules. These unstable molecules may damage your skin cells. By stabilizing them, antioxidants may help reduce the signs of aging.

Ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians used Chamomile to treat skin redness and dryness. Chamomile has also been used to help with stomach issues.

Learn more about Chamomilla Recutita Extract

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 4.

Summer Fridays Soft Reset AHA Exfoliating Solution contains this as ingredient number 18.

4
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice comes from leaves of the aloe plant. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is best known for helping to soothe sunburns. It is also anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, and can help heal wounds.

Aloe is packed with good stuff including Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins are antioxidants, which help fight free-radicals and the damage they may cause. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice also contains sugars. These sugars come in the form of monosaccharides and polysaccharides, folic acid, and choline. These sugars are able to help bind moisture to skin.

It also contains minerals such as calcium, 12 anthraquinones, fatty acids, amino acids, and Vitamin B12.

Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 5.

Summer Fridays Soft Reset AHA Exfoliating Solution contains this as ingredient number 4.

5
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 7.

Summer Fridays Soft Reset AHA Exfoliating Solution contains this as ingredient number 8.

6
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 Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 14.

Summer Fridays Soft Reset AHA Exfoliating Solution contains this as ingredient number 10.

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

53% are loved or liked
20% have mixed ratings
27% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
70% are loved or liked
4% have mixed ratings
22% are disliked or very disliked
4% 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 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Summer Fridays Soft Reset AHA Exfoliating Solution.

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