Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Clinique Exfoliating Scrub

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Clinique Exfoliating Scrub

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

This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Magnesium Aluminum Silicate and Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and balance excess oil.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Methylpropanediol

Butylene Glycol

Salicylic Acid

Polysorbate 20

Camellia Oleifera Leaf

Sodium Hydroxide

Tetrasodium EDTA

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

Glyceryl Stearate

Polyethylene

Hexylene Glycol

Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate

Disodium Oleamido Mipa-Sulfosuccinate

Magnesium Aluminum Silicate

Menthol

Stearamidoethyl Diethylamine

Oleamide Mipa

Trisodium Sulfosuccinate

Sodium Sulfate

Phenoxyethanol

Methylisothiazolinone

CI 77891

Ethylhexyl Salicylate

Methyl Trimethicone

Homosalate

Benzophenone-3

Butyloctyl Salicylate

Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate

Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Octocrylene

PEG-100 Stearate

Silica

Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate

Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone

Dimethicone

Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Soy Protein

Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract

Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract

Plankton Extract

Caffeine

Potassium Cetyl Phosphate

Sucrose

Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer

C30-38 Olefin/Isopropyl Maleate/Ma Copolymer

Cetyl Alcohol

Vp/Eicosene Copolymer

Ethylhexylglycerin

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer

PEG-8 Laurate

Sodium Rna

Lecithin

Propyl Gallate

Arginine Ferulate

Tocopheryl Acetate

Caprylyl Glycol

Ascorbyl Tocopheryl Maleate

Stearic Acid

Xanthan Gum

Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid

Disodium EDTA

Mica

Sodium Dehydroacetate

Water, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyethylene, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Disodium Oleamido Mipa-Sulfosuccinate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Salicylic Acid, Menthol, Stearamidoethyl Diethylamine, Oleamide Mipa, Trisodium Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylisothiazolinone, CI 77891, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Methyl Trimethicone, Homosalate, Butylene Glycol, Benzophenone-3, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Octocrylene, PEG-100 Stearate, Silica, Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Plankton Extract, Caffeine, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sucrose, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, C30-38 Olefin/Isopropyl Maleate/Ma Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, PEG-8 Laurate, Sodium Rna, Lecithin, Propyl Gallate, Arginine Ferulate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ascorbyl Tocopheryl Maleate, Stearic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Mica, Sodium Dehydroacetate

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.

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.

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.

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!

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