Paula's Choice The Unscrub Versus Philosophy The Microdelivery Exfoliating Facial Wash
Updated on January 07, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 5 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 harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones 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
Philosophy The Microdelivery Exfoliating Facial Wash 32 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
Philosophy The Microdelivery Exfoliating Facial Wash 32 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 ConditioningSolum Diatomeae
Abrasive
Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer
Acrylates Copolymer
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingLithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate
AbsorbentPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Limonene
Perfuming
Decylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tetrasodium EDTA
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocotrienols
Skin ConditioningTriolein
Skin Conditioning
Trilinolein
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Nitrate
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Magnesium Chloride
Water, Solum Diatomeae, Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids, Glycerin, Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer, Acrylates Copolymer, Decyl Glucoside, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Lauryl Glucoside, Lithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate, Polysorbate 20, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Limonene, Decylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Tetrasodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocotrienols, Triolein, Trilinolein, Magnesium Nitrate, Methylisothiazolinone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Magnesium Chloride
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Decyl Glucoside is a glucose-based surfactant and emulsion stabilizer. It is created by reacting glucose with the fatty acids from plants.
Surfactants help clean the skin by trapping oil, sebum, and dirt to be washed away. As an emulsion stabilizer, it stabilizes the ingredients in a product by preventing them from separating.
This ingredient is biodegradable and non-toxic. This ingredient is commonly found in baby shampoos.
Decyl Glucoside is sometimes used to stabilize the UV filter Tinosorb.
Learn more about Decyl GlucosideEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
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 WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Paula's Choice The Unscrub 23 ingredients
Philosophy The Microdelivery Exfoliating Facial Wash 32 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Paula's Choice The Unscrub 23 ingredients
Philosophy The Microdelivery Exfoliating Facial Wash 32 ingredients
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