Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA Versus CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Updated on February 03, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, fragrances, oils or parabens
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
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 Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA 29 ingredients
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 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 Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA 29 ingredients
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
PPG-14 Butyl Ether
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Epilobium Angustifolium Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Pvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer
Polyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, PPG-14 Butyl Ether, Salicylic Acid, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethiconol, PEG-40 Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Pvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Sodium Citrate
BufferingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCholesterol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Niacinamide, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Dimethiconol, Lecithin, Sodium Citrate, Retinol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Pentylene Glycol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDimethiconol is a silicone that resembles the popular dimethicone. Like other silicones, it is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient helps to create a silky texture and improve spreadability. Due to its high molecular weight and thickness, it is often combined with cyclopentasiloxane.
Caprylyl 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA 29 ingredients
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA 29 ingredients
I'm often confused why a brand like Paula's Choice would have such irritating and comedogenic ingredients in so many of their products...
I did not see much noticeable difference after quite a while of using this product. I used it for a couple months and when through a whole container, but definitely would not repurchase.
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients
No more acne, very slow at reducing pigmentation tho
The only retinol my partner's skin can tolerate.
Their skin is extremely reactive and sensitive but this retinol has worked great.
I also use it every other day because I alternate between this retinol and A313.
It works great and is gentle enough to allow me to build tolerance without purging effects (at least on my skin and my partner's)
