Paula's Choice
2% BHA Gel ExfoliantPaula's Choice
8% AHA Lotion ExfoliantA chemical exfoliant built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for barrier repair and controlling oil.
A chemical exfoliant built around AHA and Glycolic acid, for barrier repair and smoothing.
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 Silicone-free, Pore-clogger-free and Oil-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients

Fatty alcohol2
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.

Benefits

Barrier Repair2
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
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.

Concerns

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis2
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
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.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Barrier Repair
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
UV Absorber
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Epilobium Angustifolium Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- 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 →Bisabolol
Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Soothing
(R*,R*)-.alpha.,4-dimethyl-.alpha.-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)cyclohex-3-ene-1-methanol; 3-Cyclohexene-1-methanol, alpha,4-dimethyl-alpha-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-, (theta,theta)-(+/-)-; 3-Cyclohexene-1-methanol, alpha,4-dimethyl-alpha-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-, (S-(theta,theta))- (levomenol)
Learn more about Bisabolol →Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering, Denaturant
Sodium hydroxide
Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide →
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