The Ordinary
Lactic Acid 5% + HAPaula's Choice
1% BHA Gentle Exfoliating Gel TonerA chemical exfoliant built around AHA and Lactic acid, for hydration and barrier repair.
A chemical exfoliant built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 7.29 · checked 25 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 Pore-clogger-free and Oil-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
Hyaluronic acid1
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Benefits
Hydrating4
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Hydrating5
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Albatrellus Confluens Extract, Glycerin, Propanediol, Schizophyllan, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Tocopherol
Concerns
May Trigger Acne4
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Glycine Soja Oil, Hexylene Glycol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis2
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris4
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Glycine Soja Oil, Hexylene Glycol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol
Ingredients Side-by-side
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
Fragrance
Emollient
Solvent
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aqua
Solvent
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 →Propanediol
Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Propanediol is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Propanediol →Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering, Denaturant
Sodium hydroxide
Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide →Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →Caprylyl Glycol
Deodorant, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol is the diol that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol →
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