Paula's Choice
8% AHA Gel ExfoliantA chemical exfoliant built around Niacinamide and AHA, for hydration and barrier repair.
A chemical exfoliant built around AHA and Glycolic acid, for hydration and barrier repair.
Brand price
USD 22.00 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 37.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
At a Glance
They come out differently on Silicone-free, Fungal-acne-safe and Pore-clogger-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
Centella asiatica (Cica)2
Centella asiatica (cica), used to calm irritation.
Hyaluronic acid1
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Benefits
Hydrating12
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide NP, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Lactobionic Acid, Panthenol, Propanediol, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair10
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ceramide NP, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Panthenol
Reduces Irritation6
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Madecassoside, Panthenol
Redness Reducing5
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Madecassoside, Niacinamide
Hydrating5
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium PCA
Reduces Irritation2
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Concerns
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis8
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, C14-22 Alcohols, Ceramide NP, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Saponaria Officinalis Root Extract, Sorbitan Oleate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
No concerns found
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Skin Conditioning
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Glycolic Acid (in both products)
Buffering
0-1 / —
- AHA
- Glycolic acid
- Anti-Aging
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Exfoliating
- Smoothing
Emulsion Stabilising
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid (in both products)
Buffering
0-1 / —
- AHA
- Glycolic acid
- Anti-Aging
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Exfoliating
- Smoothing
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Extract
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Panthenol (provitamin B5)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Reduces Irritation
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water
Antiplaque, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Learn more about Water →Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid is an AHA.
Learn more about Glycolic Acid →Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
Learn more about Butylene Glycol →Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate is a hyaluronic acid.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate →Panthenol
Antistatic, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Panthenol is panthenol (provitamin B5).
Learn more about Panthenol →
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