Paula's Choice
1% BHA Gentle Exfoliating Gel TonerA chemical exfoliant built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for barrier repair and smoothing.
A chemical exfoliant built around AHA and Glycolic acid, for hydration and exfoliation.
Brand price
USD 37.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 9.90 · checked 5 Oct 2026 · brand's site

At a Glance

They come out differently on Fragrance-free, Silicone-free, Pore-clogger-free and Oil-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients

Centella asiatica (Cica)1
Centella asiatica (cica), used to calm irritation.

Benefits

Hydrating5
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Albatrellus Confluens Extract, Glycerin, Propanediol, Schizophyllan, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Tocopherol
Hydrating14
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Beta-Glucan, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Inositol, Lactic Acid, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lactate, Sucrose, Urea, Zinc PCA
Barrier Repair3
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Reduces Irritation4
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Beta-Glucan, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Sucrose, Zinc PCA
Redness Reducing3
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.

Concerns

May Trigger Acne4
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Glycine Soja Oil, Hexylene Glycol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis2
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris4
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Glycine Soja Oil, Hexylene Glycol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis4
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Hydrogenated Lecithin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polysorbate 20

Ingredients Side-by-side

Emollient
Solvent
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Salicylic Acid (in both products)
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Solvent
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aqua
Solvent
Salicylic Acid
Anti-seborrheic, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Keratolytic, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid is a BHA.
Learn more about Salicylic Acid →Propanediol
Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Propanediol is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Propanediol →Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →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 →Citric Acid
Buffering, Chelating, Fragrance
Citric Acid is an AHA.
Learn more about Citric Acid →Maltodextrin
Absorbent, Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Film Forming, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Learn more about Maltodextrin →Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →
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