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Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus The Purest Solutions Oil Control Toner 2% BHA Salicylic Acid Toner

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus The Purest Solutions Oil Control Toner 2% BHA Salicylic Acid Toner This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores. This oil-control

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Versus The Purest Solutions Oil Control Toner 2% BHA Salicylic Acid Toner

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

This oil-control treatment is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Glycolic Acid to balance excess oil and clear breakouts.

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

Pentylene Glycol

Ethoxydiglycol

Glycolic Acid

Lactic Acid

Citric Acid

Tartaric Acid

Malic Acid

Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract

Vitis Vinifera Leaf Extract

Citrus Medica Limonum Fruit Extract

Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract

Saccharum Officinarum Extract

Propylene Glycol

Phenethyl Alcohol

1,2-Hexanediol

Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract

Centella Asiatica Extract

Inulin

Fructose

Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer

Sodium Hyaluronate

Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate

Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate

Panthenol

Niacinamide

Zinc PCA

Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Curcuma Longa Root Extract

Water, Pentylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Tartaric Acid, Malic Acid, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Leaf Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Propylene Glycol, Phenethyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Inulin, Fructose, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Zinc PCA, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Curcuma Longa Root Extract

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.

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. 03Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
  4. 04Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
  5. 05In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
  6. 06While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
  7. 07Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
  8. 08This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
  9. 09This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures…
  10. 10Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
  11. 11Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
  12. 12Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
  13. 13Tocotrienols are a lesser known form of Vitamin E with skin conditioning and UV absorbing properties.
  14. 14The most common form of Vitamin E in skincare is Tocopherol. Tocotrienols have a slightly different molecular structure; their "tail" is more flexible and unsaturated. This actually helps them absorb into skin more easily and integrate into cell mem…
  15. 15Research suggests tocotrienols can help with several signs of skin aging, including:
  16. 16There are four types of tocotrienols: alpha, beta, gamma, and delta.
  17. 17Fun fact: You can find tocotrienols in ingredients like rice bran oil, palm oil, anatto beans, oats, and hazelnuts.
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
02

Product index

Related product references

Product

Paula's Choice 5% Niacinamide Body Serum

Paula's Choice 5% Niacinamide Body Serum Paula's Choice 5% Niacinamide Body Serum ingredients explained: Water⁠, Panthenol⁠, Niacinamide⁠, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride⁠, Myristyl Myristate⁠…

Source: incidecoder.comView reference →
03

Comparison edit

Read side by side

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