PCA Skin Creamy Cleanser Versus Paula's Choice Calm Redness Relief Cleanser - Normal to Dry Skin
Updated on July 18, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin and sensitive skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or 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
PCA Skin Creamy Cleanser 23 ingredients
Paula's Choice Calm Redness Relief Cleanser 19 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
PCA Skin Creamy Cleanser 23 ingredients
Paula's Choice Calm Redness Relief Cleanser 19 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingRosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSucrose Distearate
Emollient
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Yucca Schidigera Leaf/Root/Stem Extract
CleansingGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Behenyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sucrose Distearate, Sucrose Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Chlorphenesin, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Tocopherol, Yucca Schidigera Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Glycol Stearate
Emollient
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phytic Acid
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Glycol Stearate, Methyl Gluceth-20, Glyceryl Stearate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium PCA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Phytic Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineWe don't have a description for Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate yet.
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.
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate is a gentle cleanser and surfactant. It is the sodium salt of the Cocoyl Glutamic Acid and comes from coconut oil. As a surfactant, it helps lift dirt and oil to be washed away.
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate also has an emolliating effect and can help leave the skin feeling soft.
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
PCA Skin Creamy Cleanser 23 ingredients
Paula's Choice Calm Redness Relief Cleanser 19 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
