SkinCeuticals
Glycolic Acid 10 Renew Cream for Night TimePaula's Choice
2% BHA Lotion ExfoliantA chemical exfoliant built around AHA and Glycolic acid, for barrier repair and smoothing.
A chemical exfoliant built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 96.00 · checked 28 Sept 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 37.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

At a Glance

They come out differently on Cruelty-free; that row is shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients

Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.

Benefits

Hydrating7
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Jojoba Esters, Polyglycerin-3, Propanediol, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair8
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Acacia Decurrens Flower Cera, Caprylyl Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera, Jojoba Esters, Tocopherol
Hydrating4
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dimethicone, Glycerin
Barrier Repair9
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Reduces Irritation4
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.

Concerns

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis4
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acacia Decurrens Flower Cera, Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera, Jojoba Esters, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis5
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Cetyl Alcohol, Lauric Acid, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Stearate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Emollient
Skin Conditioning
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
2 / 2
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Salicylic Acid (in both products)
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
Emulsifying
0 / 1
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Cleansing
4 / 1
- Fatty acids (stearic, oleic, lauric)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- 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.
Dimethicone
Antifoaming, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Skin Protecting
Dimethicone is a silicone.
Learn more about Dimethicone →Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering, Denaturant
Sodium hydroxide
Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide →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 →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 →Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →Caprylyl Glycol
Deodorant, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol is the diol that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol →Disodium EDTA
Chelating, Viscosity Controlling
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
Learn more about Disodium EDTA →Salicylic Acid
Anti-seborrheic, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Keratolytic, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid is a BHA.
Learn more about Salicylic Acid →
Similar Comparisons
Each product against its closest dupes.
- View the comparison

SkinCeuticals
Glycolic Acid 10 Renew Cream for Night Time

Paula's Choice
1% BHA Gentle Exfoliating Gel Toner
- View the comparison

Paula's Choice
2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant

Paula's Choice
Regular Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution With 2% Salicylic Acid
- View the comparison

SkinCeuticals
Glycolic Acid 10 Renew Cream for Night Time

The Ordinary
AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
- View the comparison

Paula's Choice
2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant

Paula's Choice
2% BHA Gel Exfoliant