Paula's Choice Acne Body Spray vs Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical™ Advanced Clearing Gel

Paula's Choice

Clinique

An acne treatment built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for hydration and barrier repair.

An acne treatment built around Astringent, for hydration and soothing irritation.

Acne treatment

21 ingredients

12 ingredients

Brand price

USD 30.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

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

No retailer listed yet

At a Glance

They come out differently on Alcohol-free, Pore-clogger-free and Cruelty-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)1
Polysorbate (Tween) emulsifiers.
Polysorbate 20
BHA1
Beta hydroxy acid — oil-soluble, so it works inside the pore.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid1
The BHA used in acne treatment.
Salicylic Acid

Astringent (witch hazel / tannin)1
Tannin-bearing astringents such as witch hazel.
Hamamelis Virginiana Water

Hydrating7
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair4
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Panthenol
Reduces Irritation4
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Panthenol
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

Hydrating2
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Sucrose
Barrier Repair1
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Reduces Irritation2
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Sucrose
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Sucrose

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Lauric Acid
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis2
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Lauric Acid, Polysorbate 20
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Lauric Acid

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis1
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
May Worsen Irritation1
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Alcohol Denat.
May Worsen Eczema1
May worsen itching or irritation for eczema-prone skin.
Alcohol Denat.
May Worsen Rosacea1
Can trigger flare-ups in rosacea-prone skin.
Alcohol Denat.

Show highlights for:

Water
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
Perfuming
0-1 / —
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Polysorbate 20
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
0-1 / —
Salicylic Acid
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Panthenol (provitamin B5)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Reduces Irritation
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
0 / 0
- Hyaluronic acid
- Hydrating
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
- Brightening
- Reduces Irritation
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Emollient
- Brightening
- Redness Reducing
- Reduces Irritation

Alcohol Denat.
Fragrance
0 / —
- Denatured alcohol
- May Worsen Dryness
- May Worsen Eczema
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Rosacea
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Skin Conditioning
- Astringent (witch hazel / tannin)
- Oil Control
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sucrose
Humectant
0-1 / —
Faex Extract
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin Protecting
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Aqua
Solvent
0 / —
Benzoic Acid
Preservative

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
Learn more about Butylene Glycol →
Potassium Sorbate
Fragrance, Preservative
Potassium Sorbate is the organic salt that conforms generally to the formula:
Learn more about Potassium Sorbate →