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CeraVe Blemish Control Cleanser Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

CeraVe Blemish Control Cleanser Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Aci

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

CeraVe Blemish Control Cleanser Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores.

This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine

Glycerin

Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate

Niacinamide

Salicylic Acid

Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate

PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate

Gluconolactone

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate

Ceramide NP

Ceramide AP

Ceramide EOP

Carbomer

Calcium Gluconate

Triethyl Citrate

Sodium Hydroxide

Sodium Benzoate

Sodium Chloride

Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate

Cholesterol

Coconut Acid

Tetrasodium EDTA

Caprylyl Glycol

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

Hectorite

Phytosphingosine

Xanthan Gum

Acrylates Copolymer

Benzoic Acid

Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Gluconolactone, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Calcium Gluconate, Triethyl Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Coconut Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Hectorite, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates Copolymer, Benzoic Acid

Methylpropanediol

Butylene Glycol

Polysorbate 20

Camellia Oleifera Leaf

Water, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Camellia Oleifera Leaf, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA

Reviews

Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.

Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.

Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.

Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.

It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.

While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.

If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Tetrasodium EDTA is the salt formed from neutralizing ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. It is a chelating agent and used to prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps keep the product and ingredients stable.

Tetrasodium EDTA comes as a white solid and is soluble in water.

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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!

Similar Comparisons

The reference edit

Ingredients, questions
& further reading.

Connected source records selected through this article’s public topic index.

01

Formula cabinet

Ingredients & structured notes

Ingredient index

Ingredients Explained

  1. 01These ingredients are found in both products.
  2. 02Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
  3. 03Behenic acid is a long-chain fatty acid with 22 carbon atoms (C22) that is naturally found in moringa, rapeseed, and peanut oil.
  4. 04In skincare, it's about as drama-free as ingredients come. It acts primarily as a texture enhancer, thickener, and opacifying agent that gives richness and viscosity to formulas.
  5. 05On skin, it forms a protective, emollient layer that helps with moisture retention and contributes to barrier integrity.
  6. 06In vitro studies on genotoxicity have come back negative and this ingredient is well-tolerated. Typical use concentrations range from 0.024%-22%.
  7. 07This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because Behenic acid falls within the C11-24 fatty acid range capable of supporting Malassezia growth.
  8. 08This ceramide helps condition and moisturize skin.
  9. 09It is created by reacting caproic acid and phytosphingosine, two fatty acids.
  10. 10Ceramides work to improve hydration from within. Their lipophilic trait means they are likely to be absorbed into skin but expected to remain in the epidermis (the outer layer of skin).
  11. 11We don't have a description for Caprooyl Sphingosine yet.
  12. 12Ceramide AP is is a skin-identical lipid that mimics what your skin already makes naturally. Ceramides help maintain epidermal integrity and barrier function.
  13. 13You'll often see this ingredient paired with other ceramides (like ceramide NP), cholesterol, or fatty acids because this combination best mimics the natural lipid mix your skin already has.
  14. 14The skin's ability to produce ceramides gets disrupted in skin conditions like eczema. This in turn weakens the skin barrier and applying ceramides topically has been shown to replenish what's been lost to restore barrier function.
  15. 15Most of the studies with Ceramide AP test it as part of a multi-ceramide complex; studies reinforce ceramide AP's role in rebalancing ceramides in skin and improving skin hydration.
  16. 16Ceramide EOP is formally known as Ceramide 1.
  17. 17It is naturally found in skin and part of the intercellular "mortar" holding everything together in your outermost layer.
  18. 18EOP stands for a linked Ester fatty acid, a linked Omega hydroxy fatty acid, and the Phytosphingosine base.
  19. 19What makes Ceramide EOP special is its ultra-long fatty acid chain; this unique structure allows it to bridge the lipid layers in your skin barrier to prevent water loss (something no other ceramide can do).
  20. 20Low levels of Ceramide EOP have been found in people with eczema and psoriasis.
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
02

Product index

Related product references

Product

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Paula's Choice Omega+ Complex Serum Paula's Choice Omega+ Complex Serum ingredients explained: Glycerin⁠, Linseed Seed Oil⁠, Linoleic Acid⁠, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil⁠, Salvia Hispanica (C…

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03

Comparison edit

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