Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum Versus Paula's Choice RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA
Updated on September 15, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, ceramides and exfoliants
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols
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
Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum 47 ingredients
Paula's Choice RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA 34 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum 47 ingredients
Paula's Choice RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA 34 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-2 Distearate
Emulsifying
C9-12 Alkane
SolventArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Cucurbita Pepo Seed Oil
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Collagen
Moisturising
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Volcanic Soil
Skin Conditioning
Pullulan
Sodium Phytate
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAmylopectin
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLysolecithin
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Phosphate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Water, Glycolic Acid, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Polyglyceryl-2 Distearate, C9-12 Alkane, Arachidyl Alcohol, Zea Mays Starch, Glyceryl Stearate, Niacinamide, Tocopherol, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Oil, Retinol, Collagen, Adenosine, Squalane, Allantoin, Ascorbic Acid, Panthenol, Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Volcanic Soil, Pullulan, Sodium Phytate, Arachidyl Glucoside, Amylopectin, Polysorbate 20, 1,2-Hexanediol, Silica, Sodium Hyaluronate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Potassium Sorbate, Sclerotium Gum, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Lysolecithin, Pentylene Glycol, Potassium Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Behenyl Alcohol, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Mica
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Malic Acid
Buffering
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Punica Granatum Extract
AstringentLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentCamellia Oleifera Leaf
MaskingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Peucedanum Graveolens Extract
TonicAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Bisabolol
Masking
Polyquaternium-10
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Bicarbonate
Abrasive
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Malic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Ceramide Ng, Salicylic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Peucedanum Graveolens Extract, Allantoin, Adenosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Bisabolol, Polyquaternium-10, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Hydroxide, Aminomethyl Propanol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineAllantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizingg properties. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Studies show higher concentrations of this ingredient can promote wound healing.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with tons of research backing its benefits.
It is found naturally in sugar cane but the form used in skincare is usually synthetic for purity and stability.
Glycolic acid removes the top layer of dead skin cells to allow newer and fresher ones to emerge.
AHAs work by breaking down the structural “glue” that holds old skin cells in place. When that buildup is gone, your skin can renew itself more efficiently.
Research also shows glycolic acid stimulates collagen production, helping to firm and thicken the skin over time. This is one of its biggest advantages over other AHAs.
Overall, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid boosts skin hydration by helping it produce molecules that increase hyaluronic acid naturally.
To work best, glycolic acid products should have a pH between 3-4 (that’s where exfoliation is most effective but still gentle on skin).
The pH and concentration of a product are key to its effectiveness:
It is normal to feel a slight stinging sensation when using glycolic acid. This usually fades as your skin adjusts.
Because glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size in the AHA family, it can penetrate deeper, which enhances its effectiveness but also makes it more likely to irritate sensitive skin.
If your skin is very sensitive or prone to rosacea, glycolic acid may be too strong; in that case, try milder options like lactic acid or a PHA instead.
Recent studies suggest glycolic acid might even help protect against UV damage. But don’t skip sunscreen! Freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to the sun.
Glycolic acid is a skincare superstar. It smooths, brightens, hydrates, and firms the skin. Unless you’re highly sensitive, it’s well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum 47 ingredients
Paula's Choice RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA 34 ingredients
