Soft Services SMOOTHING SOLUTION Calming Gel Exfoliant Versus Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA
Updated on July 18, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for 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, oils, parabens 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
Soft Services SMOOTHING SOLUTION Calming Gel Exfoliant 15 ingredients
Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA 29 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Soft Services SMOOTHING SOLUTION Calming Gel Exfoliant 15 ingredients
Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA 29 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Urea
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrehalose
HumectantHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Arnica Montana Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
PPG-14 Butyl Ether
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Epilobium Angustifolium Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Pvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer
Polyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, PPG-14 Butyl Ether, Salicylic Acid, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethiconol, PEG-40 Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Pvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, 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 WaterSodium 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 HydroxidePhenoxyethanol 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.
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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Soft Services SMOOTHING SOLUTION Calming Gel Exfoliant 15 ingredients
Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA 29 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Soft Services SMOOTHING SOLUTION Calming Gel Exfoliant 15 ingredients
I really like how this left my skin feeling post shower! I did my typical shower routine and then dried off and applied this all over. I think I used too much, because I went to follow with a moisturizer and there was some pilling. Next time I’ll wait longer in between and apply less overall. I woke up this morning with truly baby smooth skin, it worked better than manual exfoliation for sure. I Show more
Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA 29 ingredients
I'm often confused why a brand like Paula's Choice would have such irritating and comedogenic ingredients in so many of their products...
I did not see much noticeable difference after quite a while of using this product. I used it for a couple months and when through a whole container, but definitely would not repurchase.
