Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment vs Paula's Choice 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant

Paula's Choice

Paula's Choice

A chemical exfoliant built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for hydration and barrier repair.

A chemical exfoliant built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for barrier repair and controlling oil.

Chemical exfoliant

12 ingredients

13 ingredients

Brand price

USD 45.00 · 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

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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
Salicylic acid1
The BHA used in acne treatment.
Salicylic Acid

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

Hydrating4
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, PEG-8, Propylene Glycol
Barrier Repair4
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Smoothing2
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Salicylic Acid

Hydrating1
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol
Barrier Repair2
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Phytosphingosine, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Bisabolol
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Bisabolol

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis2
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
PEG-75 Stearate, Polysorbate 20

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis2
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Phytosphingosine, Polysorbate 20

Show highlights for:

Propylene Glycol
Humectant
0 / 0
PEG-75 Stearate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
PEG-8
Humectant
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid (in both products)
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
Glycerin
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Emollient
- Colloidal oatmeal
- Barrier Repair
- Reduces Irritation
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Skin Protecting
Arginine
Skin Conditioning
0 / —

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Methylpropanediol
Solvent
0-1 / —
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Polysorbate 20 (in both products)
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
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Barrier Repair
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Light Stabilizer
0-1 / —
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
UV Absorber
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Epilobium Angustifolium Extract
Skin Conditioning

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 →
Salicylic Acid
Anti-seborrheic, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Keratolytic, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid is a BHA.
Learn more about Salicylic Acid →
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 →
Polysorbate 20
Cleansing, Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20 isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20 →