Comparison between Paula's Choice 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment vs. COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid

Find out which product is better for your skin.

52 Ingredients 10

1
Water
1
Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Water
2
Dimethicone
2
Butylene Glycol
3
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
3
Glycolic Acid
4
Isononyl Isononanoate
4
Niacinamide
5
Butylene Glycol
5
Sodium Hydroxide
6
Bakuchiol
6
1,2-Hexanediol
7
Arachidyl Alcohol
7
Panthenol
8
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
8
Sodium Hyaluronate
-- Show others --
Uniqueness49 out of 52
94.2%
Uniqueness7 out of 10
70.0%

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
14 out of 52
27%
chemical
34 out of 52
65%
natural
3 out of 10
30%
chemical
6 out of 10
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#5Glycerin#11Sodium Hyaluronate#21Allantoin#29
Oily skin
Positive: 1Negative: 1
Allantoin#29Glyceryl Stearate SE#13
Sensitive skin
Positive: 1Negative: 2
Allantoin#29Retinol (Vitamin A)#17Benzoic Acid#51
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

Detailed view

Paula's Choice 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment vs. COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid
Position 1

#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.

-- versus --

#1Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Water

Origin: natural
Role: Fragrance ingredient, Masking
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ B ]
Position 2

#2Dimethicone

Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Antifoaming agent, Emollient
Silicones
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]

Dimethicone is the most popular silicone. It makes the skin softer and forms a film adding smooth and silky feeling. This film not only improves how the skin feels but also works as a protective barrier. It also improves the visual appearance of your skin by filling small wrinkles. What you should really know is that this component is difficult to wash off! So make sure you did proper cleansing after using it.

-- versus --

#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.

Position 3

#3Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate

Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Binding, Emollient, Emulsifying agent, Surfactant, Viscosity controlling agent
Softening
Comedogenic rating [ 2 ]
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]
-- versus --

#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.
Position 4

#4Isononyl Isononanoate

Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Antistatic agent, Emollient
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ B ]
-- versus --

#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.

Position 5

#5Butylene 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 --

#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.

Skin Signal
2023 - 2024

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Disclaimer: All the information on the website is not a medical advice. Visit a doctor if you have problems.

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