ZO Skin Health Retinol + Blemish Complex Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Cetyl Glyceryl Ether
EmollientRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Tranexamate Mesylate
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Leontopodium Alpinum Meristem Cell Culture
Skin ConditioningMarrubium Vulgare Meristem Cell Culture
Skin ProtectingLecithin
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Bisulfite
Antioxidant
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Sodium Sulfate
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Isohexadecane
EmollientBakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Disodium EDTA
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Glycerin, Sclerotium Gum, Dimethicone, Silica, Cetyl Glyceryl Ether, Retinol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Tranexamate Mesylate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Meristem Cell Culture, Marrubium Vulgare Meristem Cell Culture, Lecithin, Propanediol, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, BHT, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Bisulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Sulfate, Polysorbate 20, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Isohexadecane, Bakuchiol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 80, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
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 GlycolPolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Water. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
