The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution Versus Paula's Choice 8% AHA Lotion Exfoliant
Updated on June 07, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 3 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA
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 harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 42 ingredients
Paula's Choice 8% AHA Lotion Exfoliant 35 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
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 42 ingredients
Paula's Choice 8% AHA Lotion Exfoliant 35 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Triethanolamine
BufferingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Alanine
MaskingGlycine
Buffering
Serine
Masking
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Histidine
Humectant
Phenylalanine
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
PCA
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
BufferingFructose
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Sucrose
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Hexyl Nicotinate
EmollientDextrin
AbsorbentCitric Acid
Buffering
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Gellan Gum
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Glycolic Acid, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Triethanolamine, Aminomethyl Propanol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Aspartic Acid, Alanine, Glycine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Glutamic Acid, Arginine, PCA, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Fructose, Glucose, Sucrose, Urea, Hexyl Nicotinate, Dextrin, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 20, Gellan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Chloride, Hexylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingBeheneth-5
EmulsifyingDimethicone
Emollient
Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Stearate
Emulsifying
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Undecane
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Bisabolol
Masking
Arctium Lappa Seed Oil
Emollient
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Tridecane
Perfuming
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycolic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Beheneth-5, Dimethicone, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Undecane, Arachidyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Phospholipids, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Bisabolol, Arctium Lappa Seed Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Panthenol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Tridecane, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Sclerotium Gum, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Chlorphenesin, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid, 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.
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 GlycerinGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with a ton of research to back up its benefits.
Its main role is to remove the top layer of dead skin cells, allowing newer skin cells to emerge.
Specifically, AHAs work by breaking down the structural "glue" holding the old skin cells in place. Getting rid of the old skin cells allows skin to regenerate newer skin cells in its place. A build up of dead skin cells can lead to tired and dull looking skin.
Due to this, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid increases skin hydration by playing a role in creating molecules that create hyaluronic acid naturally.
When starting glycolic Acid, it is normal to feel slight stinging.
The pH value and concentration of glycolic acid play a role in the effectiveness of the product. Concentrations between 5-20% glycolic acid have been shown to be effective in clinical studies.
Recent studies have shown Glycolic Acid may protect the skin against UV damage. However, you should always wear SPF, especially when using exfoliants.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidWater. 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
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 42 ingredients
Paula's Choice 8% AHA Lotion Exfoliant 35 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
