Comparison between COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid vs. Paula's Choice SKIN PERFECTING 8 AHA Gel Exfoliant

Find out which product is better for your skin.

10 Ingredients 15

1
Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Water
1
Water
2
Butylene Glycol
2
Glycolic Acid
3
Glycolic Acid
3
Sodium Hydroxide
4
Niacinamide
4
Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract
5
Sodium Hydroxide
5
Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice
6
1,2-Hexanediol
6
Camellia Oleifera (Tea-Oil Camellia) Leaf Extract
7
Panthenol
7
Sodium Hyaluronate
8
Sodium Hyaluronate
8
Panthenol
-- Show others --
Uniqueness5 out of 10
50.0%
Uniqueness10 out of 15
66.7%

Positive Effects

Find out what good effects the product has

ECO Metrics

Find out how eco-friendly the components are
Vegan
No
No
Cruelty free
Yes
Yes
Reef friendly
Yes
Yes
Ozone layer safe
Yes
Yes
Organic score
natural
3 out of 10
30%
chemical
6 out of 10
60%
natural
5 out of 15
33%
chemical
9 out of 15
60%

Concerns

Pay attention to these components
-- Extra information --

Components by Skin Type

Find out what components are good or bad for your skin type
Dry skin
Positive: 4Negative: 0
Butylene Glycol#21,2-Hexanediol#6Panthenol#7Sodium Hyaluronate#8
Oily skin
Positive: 1Negative: 0
Glycolic Acid#3
Sensitive skin
Positive: 0Negative: 1
Glycolic Acid#3
Dry skin
Positive: 6Negative: 0
Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract#4Sodium Hyaluronate#7Panthenol#8Sodium PCA#9Propylene Glycol#10Butylene Glycol#11
Oily skin
Positive: 1Negative: 0
Glycolic Acid#2
Sensitive skin
Positive: 1Negative: 1
Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract#4Glycolic Acid#2

Detailed view

COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid vs. Paula's Choice SKIN PERFECTING 8 AHA Gel Exfoliant
Position 1

#1Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Water

Origin: natural
Role: Fragrance ingredient, Masking
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ B ]
-- versus --

#1Water

Origin: natural
Role: Solvent
EWG Rating [ 1 ]

Water is a great solvent. It’s neutral and doesn’t provide any strong positive or negative effects. It just helps components to mix better and to transport active components.

Position 2

#2Butylene Glycol

Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Fragrance ingredient, Humectant, Masking, Solvent, Viscosity controlling agent
Moisturizing
Softening
Hair protection
Comedogenic rating [ 1 ]
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]
Good for dry skin
Good for dry skin

Butylene Glycol is a very popular synthetic alcohol. It helps the product to absorb deeper and faster. It is also a solvent for other ingredients. As for the skin benefits, it helps to attract water and helps to make the skin softer.

Unlike many other “Glycols”, it is not harmful and that's why it is used in many products. It was approved by US FDA and US EPA for usage.

-- versus --

#2Glycolic Acid

Origin: natural
Role: Buffering agent, Exfoliant
Cleansing
Exfoliating
Anti-aging
Lightening
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ B ]
Good for oily skin
Good for oily skin

Glycolic Acid is the most researched AHA with proven efficiency and it’s a super powerful component. It’s a great exfoliator, meaning it helps to remove dead skin cells preventing bacterial growth, and make your skin look fresh and smooth. It helps to remove dark spots and areas, making skin tone even. But the most serious reason for using this component is that it helps to produce collagen, which is very important for keeping your skin healthy. This is what makes Glycolic Acid so special. Pay attention, that using any AHA makes your skin more UV sensitive. It’s very important to use good sunscreen after applying AHA.

It's an exfoliator, meaning it increases UV sensitivity of your skin. That's why it's very important to use sunscreen after it.
Position 3

#3Glycolic Acid

Origin: natural
Role: Buffering agent, Exfoliant
Cleansing
Exfoliating
Anti-aging
Lightening
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ B ]
Good for oily skin
Good for oily skin

Glycolic Acid is the most researched AHA with proven efficiency and it’s a super powerful component. It’s a great exfoliator, meaning it helps to remove dead skin cells preventing bacterial growth, and make your skin look fresh and smooth. It helps to remove dark spots and areas, making skin tone even. But the most serious reason for using this component is that it helps to produce collagen, which is very important for keeping your skin healthy. This is what makes Glycolic Acid so special. Pay attention, that using any AHA makes your skin more UV sensitive. It’s very important to use good sunscreen after applying AHA.

It's an exfoliator, meaning it increases UV sensitivity of your skin. That's why it's very important to use sunscreen after it.
-- versus --

#3Sodium Hydroxide

Origin: chemical
Role: Buffering agent
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ B ]

Sodium Hydroxide is used mostly for formulation purposes. It helps to hold the pH level of a product. It also works as a chemical exfoliator that removes dead cells. Usually concentration of this component is low in skin care products and it’s used mostly for adjusting pH.

Position 4

#4Niacinamide

Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Hair conditioning, Smoothing
Antioxidants
Acne fighting
Pore Shrinking
Soothing
Anti-aging
Lightening
Elasticity improvement
EWG Rating [ 1 ]

Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 and it’s a superman in cosmetics. This ingredient is researched very well. It has a lot of positive reviews from scientists and experts. It's very important for healthy skin. The lack of this vitamin can cause dryness, itching, and sun sensitivity. The component removes small wrinkles and fine lines, heals wounds, and prevents the forming of cancer cells. It also makes the skin tone even by removing dark spots. It increases ceramide synthesis which increases the overall health of your skin. It fights acne and lowers pores.

Researches say that 4-5% of Niacinamide is the most effective concentration for skincare use.

-- versus --

#4Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract

Origin: natural
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Fragrance ingredient
UV Protection
Acne fighting
Soothing
Lightening
Healing
Deodorant
Hair structure improvement
EWG Rating [ 2 ]
CIR Rating [ B ]
Good for dry skin
Good for dry skin
Position 5

#5Sodium Hydroxide

Origin: chemical
Role: Buffering agent
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ B ]

Sodium Hydroxide is used mostly for formulation purposes. It helps to hold the pH level of a product. It also works as a chemical exfoliator that removes dead cells. Usually concentration of this component is low in skin care products and it’s used mostly for adjusting pH.

-- versus --

#5Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice

Origin: natural
Role: Skin conditioning agent
UV Protection
Moisturizing
Soothing
Healing
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice is a natural juice received from Aloe leaves. It has been used in cosmetics for hundreds of ages. Scientists have discovered that it contains more than 200 nutrients: minerals, amino acids, vitamins, and so on. It’s a good component for calming irritated skin. It also helps to heal wounds, helps the skin regenerate faster, improves collagen syncretization, tones up, and moisturizes the skin. It also provides a slight UV-filtering effect.
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2023 - 2024

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