PCA Skin BPO 5% Cleanser Versus Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and oils
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
PCA Skin BPO 5% Cleanser 30 ingredients
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel 42 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
PCA Skin BPO 5% Cleanser 30 ingredients
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel 42 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Benzoyl Peroxide 5%
Water
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingGlycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyacrylate-13
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Polyisobutene
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
HumectantPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phytic Acid
Algae Extract
Emollient
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Benzoyl Peroxide 5%, Water, Gluconolactone, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylate-13, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Polyisobutene, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Allantoin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Phytic Acid, Algae Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingPropanediol
SolventSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingDisteareth-75 Ipdi
Glycereth-7 Caprylate/Caprate
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
Masking
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Phytic Acid
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Farnesol
Perfuming
Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Sodium PCA
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Masking
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Phytate
Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract
Masking
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract
AstringentPolyglyceryl-3 Laurate
EmulsifyingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzoic Acid
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Propanediol, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Disteareth-75 Ipdi, Glycereth-7 Caprylate/Caprate, Sodium Chloride, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Mandelic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Phytic Acid, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Citric Acid, Farnesol, Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract, Sodium PCA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Bisabolol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Alcohol, Sodium Phytate, Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
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 WaterGlycerin 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.
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 JuiceSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCAButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Phytic Acid is a gentle AHA and antioxidant. AHAs are chemical exfoliants that help remove dead skin cells. Phytic Acid has a slight and mild exfoliating effect.
The chemical makeup makes it classified as an AHA, much like lactic acid.
In some cases, it is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water, helping to stabilize the ingredients in a product.
An interesting fact about phytic acid is that it is considered an antinutrient. People do not have the enzyme needed to properly breakdown and digest phytic acid. When ingested, phytic acid binds to minerals and prevents them from being absorbed.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Phytic AcidIngredient Ratings
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When to use
PCA Skin BPO 5% Cleanser 30 ingredients
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel 42 ingredients
