Paula's Choice
2% BHA Gel ExfoliantMedik8
Blemish Control Pads™A chemical exfoliant built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for barrier repair and controlling oil.
A chemical exfoliant built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 37.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
GBP 30.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
At a Glance
They come out differently on Fragrance-free and EU-allergen-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Barrier Repair2
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Concerns
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis2
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis1
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
May Worsen Irritation3
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Limonene, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
May Worsen Eczema3
May worsen itching or irritation for eczema-prone skin.
Limonene, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
May Worsen Rosacea3
Can trigger flare-ups in rosacea-prone skin.
Limonene, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Ingredients Side-by-side
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
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Salicylic Acid (in both products)
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
Skin Conditioning
Skin Conditioning
- EU labelled fragrance allergen
- Fragrance
- Fragrant essential oil (sensitizer)
- May Worsen Eczema
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Rosacea
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Skin Conditioning
- Fragrant essential oil (sensitizer)
- May Worsen Eczema
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Rosacea
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 →
Similar Comparisons
Each product against its closest dupes.
- View the comparison
Paula's Choice
2% BHA Gel Exfoliant
Paula's Choice
Extra Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution With 2% Salicylic Acid
- View the comparison
Medik8
Blemish Control Pads™
Paula's Choice
1% BHA Gentle Exfoliating Gel Toner
- View the comparison
Paula's Choice
2% BHA Gel Exfoliant
Paula's Choice
2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
- View the comparison
Medik8
Blemish Control Pads™
Geek & Gorgeous
Calm Down