Puca – Pure & Care 2% BHA Peeling Serum Versus Puca – Pure & Care Retinol Serum Vitamin A
Updated on June 09, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, 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
Puca – Pure & Care 2% BHA Peeling Serum 19 ingredients
Puca – Pure & Care Retinol Serum Vitamin A 36 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
Puca – Pure & Care 2% BHA Peeling Serum 19 ingredients
Puca – Pure & Care Retinol Serum Vitamin A 36 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Corn Gluten Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventSodium Polyglutamate
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
MaskingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Water, Butylene Glycol, Corn Gluten Amino Acids, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Salicylic Acid, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Sodium Polyglutamate, Dipropylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Sodium Polyacrylate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Corn Gluten Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyglutamate
HumectantHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Collagen
Moisturising
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Yeast Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningSilk Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Extract
Masking
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Flavescens Root Extract
Antioxidant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Corn Gluten Amino Acids, Sodium Polyglutamate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinol, Oligopeptide-1, Oligopeptide-2, Oligopeptide-5, Hyaluronic Acid, Collagen, Adenosine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Yeast Ferment Extract, Silk Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Beta-Glucan, Butylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolWe don't have a description for Corn Gluten Amino Acids yet.
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 GlycerinHexylene Glycol is a surfactant. Glycols are a class of alcohols. Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, Hexylene Glycol helps gather dirt and oil on your skin to be washed away.
As an emulsifier, Hexylene Glycol helps keep water and oil together. This prevents them from separating in a product. Hexylene Glycol also thins out the texture of a product by lessening viscosity.
Hexylene Glycol has a small molecular weight.
Learn more about Hexylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
This extract comes from Purslane, a succulent. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hydrating properties.
Purslane is very nutritious. It contains omega-3 fatty acids, NMFs, many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The vitamins found in purslane include: Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E.
Fun fact: Purslane is a succulent with an extensive habitat. It is used in traditional Korean medicine to treat irritated skin.
Nowadays, purslane is becoming a superfood due to its highly nutritious content.
Learn more about Portulaca Oleracea ExtractPropylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium 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 HydroxideWe don't have a description for Sodium Polyglutamate yet.
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
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When to use
Puca – Pure & Care 2% BHA Peeling Serum 19 ingredients
Puca – Pure & Care Retinol Serum Vitamin A 36 ingredients
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