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

Dr.Althea

Rapid Mild Acid Rescue Pore Pad

Paula's Choice

8% AHA Lotion Exfoliant

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

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

Chemical exfoliant

35 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, Silicone-free, Pore-clogger-free, Oil-free and Cruelty-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients

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

Fatty alcohol2
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol
Vitamin E2
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Glycolic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating9
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Gluconolactone, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Propanediol, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Zinc PCA
Barrier Repair4
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Resveratrol
Reduces Irritation5
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Centella Asiatica Callus Extracellular Vesicles, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Zinc PCA
Redness Reducing3
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Centella Asiatica Callus Extracellular Vesicles, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract

Hydrating8
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Panthenol, Stearyl Alcohol, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair15
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Panthenol, Stearyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Tridecane, Undecane
Reduces Irritation5
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Bisabolol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Panthenol
Redness Reducing3
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Bisabolol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract

Concerns

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

May Trigger Acne3
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis9
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Arachidyl Alcohol, Beheneth-5, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Phospholipids, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Tocopherol
May Worsen Oily Skin1
May increase shine or excess oil.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Ingredients Side-by-side

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 (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
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
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (in both products)
Occlusive
1 / 1
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering
0 / —
Beheneth-5
Emulsifying
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Dimethicone
Emollient
1 / 0
- Silicones
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Smoothing
Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

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 →
Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →
Disodium EDTA
Chelating, Viscosity Controlling
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
Learn more about Disodium EDTA →
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Fragrance, Perfuming, Occlusive, Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is the mixed triester of glycerin and caprylic and capric acids.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride →