Paula's Choice The Unscrub Versus Medik8 Pore Refining Scrub
Updated on July 18, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free exfoliators. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Paula's Choice The Unscrub 23 ingredients
Medik8 Pore Refining Scrub 40 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Paula's Choice The Unscrub 23 ingredients
Medik8 Pore Refining Scrub 40 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningJojoba Esters
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emulsifying
Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingPPG-20 Methyl Glucose Ether
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
Sapindus Mukorossi Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingC13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Jojoba Esters, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Decyl Glucoside, PPG-20 Methyl Glucose Ether, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Polyacrylamide, Sapindus Mukorossi Peel Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Laureth-7, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Diatomaceous Earth
Abrasive
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Kaolin
Abrasive
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Citrus Reticulata Peel Oil
Masking
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientLonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhytic Acid
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Passiflora Incarnata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Diatomaceous Earth, Jojoba Esters, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Behenyl Alcohol, Kaolin, Niacinamide, Dicaprylyl Ether, Xanthan Gum, Cetyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Glycol Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Mandelic Acid, Stearic Acid, Citrus Reticulata Peel Oil, Titanium Dioxide, Sucrose Stearate, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Dimethicone, Phenethyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Potassium Sorbate, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Carbomer, Phytic Acid, Alcohol, Myristic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Passiflora Incarnata Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinJojoba Esters is a wax created from Jojoba oil. It is an emollient and film-forming ingredient. In bead form, it is an exfoliator.
This ingredient has high oxidative stability, meaning it doesn't break down when exposed to oxygen.
Its similarity to our skin's natural oils makes it a great emollient. Emollients help soften and soothe our skin by creating a barrier on top. This barrier helps trap moisture in, keeping skin hydrated.
It is created using either the hydrogenation or transesterification processes on jojoba oil.
Learn more about Jojoba EstersTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Paula's Choice The Unscrub 23 ingredients
Medik8 Pore Refining Scrub 40 ingredients
Reviews
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