1% BHA Gentle Exfoliating Gel Toner
2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant

Paula's Choice

1% BHA Gentle Exfoliating Gel Toner

Paula's Choice

2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant

A 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 smoothing.

Chemical exfoliant
Chemical exfoliant
26 ingredients
25 ingredients

Brand price

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

Brand price

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

No retailer listed yet
No retailer listed yet

At a Glance

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

Key Ingredients

  • Vitamin E1

    Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.

    Tocopherol

  • AHA1

    Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.

    Citric Acid

  • BHA1

    Beta hydroxy acid — oil-soluble, so it works inside the pore.

    Salicylic Acid

  • Salicylic acid1

    The BHA used in acne treatment.

    Salicylic Acid

  • Fatty alcohol1

    Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.

    Cetyl Alcohol

  • Colloidal oatmeal1

    Finely milled oat — an FDA-recognised skin protectant.

    Avena Sativa Kernel Extract

  • Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)1

    Polysorbate (Tween) emulsifiers.

    Polysorbate 20

  • BHA1

    Beta hydroxy acid — oil-soluble, so it works inside the pore.

    Salicylic Acid

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Show highlights for:

  • Water

    Skin Conditioning

  • Butylene Glycol

    Humectant

    1 / 0

    • Hydrating

  • Polysorbate 20

    Cleansing

    0 / 0

    • Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
    • Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)
    • May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

  • Cetyl Alcohol

    Emollient

    2 / 2

    • Fatty alcohol
    • Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
    • May Trigger Acne
    • May Worsen Irritation
    • May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
    • May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

  • Salicylic Acid (in both products)

    Preservative

    • BHA
    • Salicylic acid
    • Acne Fighting
    • Exfoliating
    • Oil Control
    • Pore Refining

  • Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer

    Viscosity Controlling

    0-1 / —

  • Cyclopentasiloxane

    Emollient

    0-1 / —

    • Silicones

  • Sorbitan Stearate

    Emulsifying

    0 / 1

    • Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
    • May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

  • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

    Emollient

    • Anti-Pollution
    • Antioxidant
    • Reduces Irritation

  • Lauric Acid

    Cleansing

    4 / 1

    • Fatty acids (stearic, oleic, lauric)
    • Possibly animal-derived
    • May Trigger Acne
    • May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
    • 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.

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