Paula's Choice
1% BHA Gentle Exfoliating Gel TonerPaula's Choice
2% BHA Gel ExfoliantA chemical exfoliant built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for barrier repair and smoothing.
A chemical exfoliant built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for barrier repair and controlling oil.
Brand price
USD 37.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 37.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
At a Glance
They come out differently on Pore-clogger-free and Oil-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
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
Barrier Repair2
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
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 Dermatitis2
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
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
Skin Conditioning
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Salicylic Acid (in both products)
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Barrier Repair
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
UV Absorber
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Epilobium Angustifolium Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Methylpropanediol
Solvent
2-Methyl-1,3-propanediol
Learn more about Methylpropanediol →Salicylic Acid
Anti-seborrheic, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Keratolytic, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid is a BHA.
Learn more about Salicylic Acid →Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering, Denaturant
Sodium hydroxide
Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide →
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