Paula's Choice Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser vs Skinfix 2% BHA Cleanser

Paula's Choice

Skinfix

A face cleanser built around Hyaluronic acid and Ceramide, for barrier repair and smoothing.

A face cleanser built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for smoothing and hydration.

Face cleanser

45 ingredients

24 ingredients

Brand price

USD 28.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

USD 35.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

At a Glance

They come out differently on Pore-clogger-free, Oil-free and Vegan; 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
Ceramide3
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP
Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol
Hyaluronic acid1
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Sodium Hyaluronate

Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Stearyl Alcohol
Azelaic acid1
Works on acne, redness and pigmentation at once.
Azelaic Acid
AHA2
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid, Glycolic Acid
BHA1
Beta hydroxy acid — oil-soluble, so it works inside the pore.
Salicylic Acid

Hydrating5
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Polydextrose, Propanediol, Stearyl Alcohol
Barrier Repair4
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Stearyl Alcohol
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Azelaic Acid, Niacinamide

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Stearyl Alcohol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis4
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Stearyl Alcohol
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Stearyl Alcohol
May Worsen Irritation1
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Stearyl Alcohol

Show highlights for:

Aqua
Solvent
0 / —
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium Lauroamphoacetate
Cleansing
- Fatty acids (stearic, oleic, lauric)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
2-3 / 0
- Fatty acids (stearic, oleic, lauric)
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
0 / 0
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Skin Conditioning
4 / 0
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Acrylates Copolymer
Film Forming
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
2 / 2
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

Salicylic Acid
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
Water
Skin Conditioning
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Stearyl Alcohol (in both products)
Emollient
2 / 2
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Bentonite
Emulsion Stabilising
0 / 0
- Oil Control
Propanediol
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
- Hydrating
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
0-1 / —
- AHA
- Glycolic acid
- Anti-Aging
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Exfoliating
- Smoothing
Niacinamide
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
- Azelaic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Redness Reducing

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

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 →
Stearyl Alcohol
Emulsion Stabilising, Fragrance, Opacifying, Refatting, Emollient, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Controlling
Stearyl Alcohol isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearyl Alcohol →
Sodium Chloride
Bulking, Fragrance, Oral Care, Viscosity Controlling
Sodium chloride
Learn more about Sodium Chloride →
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering, Denaturant
Sodium hydroxide
Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide →
Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →
Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →
Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →