Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA versus Paula's Choice Defense Antioxidant Pore Purifier .
Last updated on December 06, 2023. Published on April 25, 2021
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, brightening skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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.
Serum
Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.
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
The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA 12 ingredients
Paula's Choice Defense Antioxidant Pore Purifier 38 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:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
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
The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA 12 ingredients
Paula's Choice Defense Antioxidant Pore Purifier 38 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
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:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Concerns
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:
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:
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 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 6 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA 12 ingredients
Paula's Choice Defense Antioxidant Pore Purifier 38 ingredients
Water • Propanediol • Butylene Glycol • Ethoxydiglycol • Glycerin • Ascorbyl Glucoside • Panthenol • Salicylic Acid • Camellia Sinensis Leaf • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract • Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate • Coffea Arabica Fruit Extract • Ceramide NP • Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract • Panax Ginseng Root Extract • Niacinamide • Phytic Acid • Epigallocatechin Gallate • Adenosine • Ubiquinone • Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract • Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract • Sodium Hyaluronate • Lecithin • Centella Asiatica Extract • Sucrose Stearate • Glycine Soja Seed Extract • Hydrogenated Lecithin • Carbomer • Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Caprylyl Glycol • Polysorbate 20 • Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate • Hydroxyethylcellulose • Sodium Hydroxide • 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 WaterThe Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA contains this as ingredient number 1.
Paula's Choice Defense Antioxidant Pore Purifier contains this as ingredient number 1.
Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use.
It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolThe Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA contains this as ingredient number 5.
Paula's Choice Defense Antioxidant Pore Purifier contains this as ingredient number 2.
Ethoxydiglycol is a synthetic solvent.
Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
Ethoxydiglycol also helps deliver other key ingredients into the skin.
Learn more about EthoxydiglycolThe Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA contains this as ingredient number 10.
Paula's Choice Defense Antioxidant Pore Purifier contains this as ingredient number 4.
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.
The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA contains this as ingredient number 11.
Paula's Choice Defense Antioxidant Pore Purifier contains this as ingredient number 38.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA 12 ingredients
Paula's Choice Defense Antioxidant Pore Purifier 38 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA 12 ingredients
Paula's Choice Defense Antioxidant Pore Purifier 38 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA 12 ingredients
AshN.
(Tried Nov 2022) This turned out to be one of those products that I had a bit of a hard time determining whether or not it worked even after a few...
(Tried Nov 2022) This turned out to be one of those products that I had a bit of a hard time determining whether or not it worked even after a few purchases. If anything, I appreciated how budget friendly it was and the hydrating feel of the serum, but I can't say it did much for my stubborn dark spots.
Qinasofree
LOVE THIS
I love TO products, and this Alpha Arbutin is def my skin favourites! It helps in reducing my hyperpigmentation and the added HA keeps my...
LOVE THIS
I love TO products, and this Alpha Arbutin is def my skin favourites! It helps in reducing my hyperpigmentation and the added HA keeps my skin hydrated.
Paula's Choice Defense Antioxidant Pore Purifier 38 ingredients
MichelleR
It is such a beautiful formula. It has all the right ingredients and feels great on my skin. Unfortunately, I cannot tolerate potent forms of...
It is such a beautiful formula. It has all the right ingredients and feels great on my skin. Unfortunately, I cannot tolerate potent forms of Vitamin C. This product causes me to break out and I suspect it is the Ascorbyl Glucoside.
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 39 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA.
See 39 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 7 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice Defense Antioxidant Pore Purifier.
See 7 alternatives