Dr.Althea Rapid Mild Acid Rescue Pore Pad vs Paula's Choice 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant

Dr.Althea

Paula's Choice

A chemical exfoliant built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for hydration and pollution defence.

A chemical exfoliant built around AHA and Glycolic acid, for hydration and barrier repair.

Chemical exfoliant

35 ingredients

15 ingredients

Brand price

USD 34.90 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

USD 37.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand from South Korea

Brand country not recorded

At a Glance

They come out differently on Fragrance-free, Fungal-acne-safe and Cruelty-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

PHA1
Polyhydroxy acids — larger and milder than AHAs.
Gluconolactone
Zinc salt (sebum/soothing)1
Zinc salts, used for sebum control and soothing.
Zinc PCA
Centella asiatica (Cica)1
Centella asiatica (cica), used to calm irritation.
Centella Asiatica Callus Extracellular Vesicles
Astringent (witch hazel / tannin)1
Tannin-bearing astringents such as witch hazel.
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract

Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid1
The smallest AHA, and so the most penetrating.
Glycolic Acid
Hyaluronic acid1
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Sodium Hyaluronate

Hydrating5
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium PCA
Barrier Repair2
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Panthenol, Propylene Glycol
Reduces Irritation2
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Panthenol
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis2
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
May Worsen Irritation1
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
May Worsen Eczema1
May worsen itching or irritation for eczema-prone skin.
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
May Worsen Rosacea1
Can trigger flare-ups in rosacea-prone skin.
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil

No concerns found

Show highlights for:

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Glycereth-26
Humectant
0 / 0
Propanediol
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
- Hydrating
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
Tromethamine
Buffering
0 / —
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
0-1 / —
- AHA
- Glycolic acid
- Anti-Aging
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Exfoliating
- Smoothing
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering
0 / —
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Redness Reducing
- Reduces Irritation
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Extract
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
0 / 0
- Hyaluronic acid
- Hydrating
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Panthenol (provitamin B5)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Reduces Irritation
Sodium PCA
Humectant
0 / 0
- Hydrating
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
0 / 0

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 →
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 →