Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser versus Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster .
Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on August 22, 2023
Overview
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 and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, fragrances, parabens, silicones or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
Exfoliator
Exfoliators are used to exfoliate the skin, or remove dead skin cells from the skin. Exfoliators may be chemical or physical.
Facial Treatment
Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.
Price
Ingredient Info
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser 27 ingredients
Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster 25 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
Contains EU Allergens
Ingredients in this product that are EU allergens:
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Malassezia Safe
This product is free of malassezia feeding ingredients 🎉
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser 27 ingredients
Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster 25 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser 27 ingredients
Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster 25 ingredients
Water • Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate • Cocamidopropyl Betaine • Peg/Ppg-8/3 Diisostearate • Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil • Acrylates Copolymer • Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract • Saccharum Officinarum Extract • Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract • Citrus Limon Fruit Extract • Acer Saccharum Extract • Salicylic Acid • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract • Panthenol • Bisabolol • Citric Acid • Glycerin • Ethylhexylglycerin • Sodium Hydroxide • Disodium EDTA • Potassium Sorbate • Phenoxyethanol • Lavandula Angustifolia Oil • Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil • Mica • Tin Oxide • Titanium Dioxide
Water • Niacinamide • Acetyl Glucosamine • Ascorbyl Glucoside • Butylene Glycol • Phospholipids • Sodium Hyaluronate • Allantoin • Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract • Glycerin • Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract • Ubiquinone • Epigallocatechin Gallate • Beta-Glucan • Panthenol • Carnosine • Genistein • Citric Acid • Sodium Citrate • Sodium Hydroxide • Xanthan Gum • Disodium EDTA • Ethylhexylglycerin • Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterSkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 1.
Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster contains this as ingredient number 1.
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractSkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 13.
Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster contains this as ingredient number 12.
Panthenol (also referred to as pro-vitamin B5) is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin.
lt is a humectant, meaning that it helps the skin attract and retain moisture.
Another benefit is the anti-inflammatory abilities. This means that it's great for sensitive, irritation-prone skin.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
Learn more about PanthenolSkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 14.
Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster contains this as ingredient number 16.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidSkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 16.
Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster contains this as ingredient number 19.
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 GlycerinSkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 17.
Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster contains this as ingredient number 10.
Ethylhexylglycerin (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.
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 18.
Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster contains this as ingredient number 24.
Sodium 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 HydroxideSkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 19.
Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster contains this as ingredient number 21.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTASkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 20.
Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster contains this as ingredient number 23.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 22.
Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster contains this as ingredient number 25.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser 27 ingredients
Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster 25 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser 27 ingredients
Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster 25 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser 27 ingredients
Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster 25 ingredients
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