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Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Kiehl's Super Fluid Daily UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 50+

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Kiehl's Super Fluid Daily UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 50+ This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores. This chemical sunscreen cove

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus Kiehl's Super Fluid Daily UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 50+

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

This chemical sunscreen covers most of the UV range, lighter on the deep UVA that drives aging.

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

Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%

Homosalate 15%

Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%

Octocrylene 10%

Dimethicone

Alcohol Denat.

Silica

Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer

Butyloctyl Salicylate

PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate

Polymethylsilsesquioxane

Tocopherol

Phenoxyethanol

PEG-8 Laurate

Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone

Sodium Chloride

Caprylyl Glycol

Isostearyl Alcohol

Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate

P-Anisic Acid

Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate

Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 15%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 10%, Water, Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Silica, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Butyloctyl Salicylate, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-8 Laurate, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Isostearyl Alcohol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, P-Anisic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate

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.

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. 03Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is an oil-soluble used to absorb the full spectrum of UVA rays (peak 357 nm).
  4. 04It's one of the most effective UVA filters available but has a major caveat of photostability: avobenzone is susceptible to photodegradation.
  5. 05This means it can lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight without the help of a stabilizing agent.
  6. 06Studies show antioxidants (like vitamin E or vitamin C) and some UV filters (like octocrylene and Tinosorb S) can meaningfully improve its stability in a formulation.
  7. 07The maximum allowable concentration according to regulation is 3% in the US + Canada, and 5% in the EU, Australia, China, Korea, and ASEAN countries.
  8. 08It has a well-support safety profile: a comprehensive 2025 review found minimal toxicity with no evidence of carcinogenicity.
  9. 09Overall, avobenzone is a safe and regulated ingredient used in sunscreen for over 40 years.
  10. 10Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
  11. 11What it does:
  12. 12Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
  13. 13Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
  14. 14Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
  15. 15This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
  16. 16Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
  17. 17Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
  18. 18This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
  19. 19On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
  20. 20One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too st…
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
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Product index

Related product references

03

Comparison edit

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