Paula's Choice 8% AHA Lotion Exfoliant vs Skintific AHA BHA PHA Exfoliating Pads

Paula's Choice

Skintific

A chemical exfoliant built around AHA and Glycolic acid, for barrier repair and smoothing.

A chemical exfoliant built around AHA and Glycolic acid, for hydration and exfoliation.

Chemical exfoliant

35 ingredients

28 ingredients

Brand price

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

Brand price

AUD 40.90 · checked 5 Oct 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand country not recorded

Brand from Indonesia

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.

Fatty alcohol2
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol
Vitamin E2
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Glycolic Acid

PHA1
Polyhydroxy acids — larger and milder than AHAs.
Gluconolactone
AHA3
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid
BHA1
Beta hydroxy acid — oil-soluble, so it works inside the pore.
Salicylic Acid
Glycolic acid1
The smallest AHA, and so the most penetrating.
Glycolic Acid

Hydrating7
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Polyglycerin-10, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair2
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Glycerin, Niacinamide
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Niacinamide

May Trigger Acne3
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Tocopherol
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.
Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Tocopherol
May Worsen Oily Skin1
May increase shine or excess oil.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis1
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
May Worsen Irritation1
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Aroma
May Worsen Eczema1
May worsen itching or irritation for eczema-prone skin.
Aroma
May Worsen Rosacea1
Can trigger flare-ups in rosacea-prone skin.
Aroma

Show highlights for:

Water
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid (in both products)
Buffering
0-1 / —
- AHA
- Glycolic acid
- Anti-Aging
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Exfoliating
- Smoothing
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Occlusive
1 / 1
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Sodium Hydroxide (in both products)
Buffering
0 / —
Beheneth-5
Emulsifying
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Dimethicone
Emollient
1 / 0
- Silicones
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Smoothing
Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

Aqua
Solvent
0 / —
Glycolic Acid (in both products)
Buffering
0-1 / —
- AHA
- Glycolic acid
- Anti-Aging
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Exfoliating
- Smoothing
Lactic Acid
Humectant
- AHA
- Lactic acid
- Brightening
- Exfoliating
- Hydrating
- Smoothing
Malic Acid
Buffering
0-1 / —
- Exfoliating
Citric Acid
Buffering
0 / —
- AHA
- Exfoliating
- Smoothing
Salicylic Acid
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
- PHA
- Exfoliating
- Hydrating
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate (in both products)
Humectant
- Brightening
- Reduces Irritation
Niacinamide
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Sodium Hydroxide (in both products)
Buffering
0 / —

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid is an AHA.
Learn more about Glycolic Acid →
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 →
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering, Denaturant
Sodium hydroxide
Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide →
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
.alpha.-d-Glucopyranosiduronic acid, (3.beta.,20.beta.)-20-carboxy-11-oxo-30-norolean-12-en-3-yl 2-O-.beta.-d-glucopyranuronosyl-, dipotassium salt
Learn more about Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate →