Image: paulaschoice.com
Paula's Choice
1% BHA Gentle Exfoliating Gel Toner
A chemical exfoliant built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 37.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · on the brand's site
From the brand
What the brand says about this product. Our ingredient analysis follows below.
The brand recommends it for
- Sensitive skin
- Acne & blemishes
- Redness & rosacea
- Large pores
- Uneven texture
- Oiliness & shine
How to use
STEP 3: EXFOLIATE - Resurface & refine When To Apply Apply to clean skin in the AM and/or PM. For daytime, always finish with sunscreen . For nighttime, follow with the rest of your routine. How To Apply Apply to clean skin on face, neck & decollete using fingertips. Avoid eye area. Do not rinse. If you have a salicylate allergy, check with your physician before using any products that contain salicylic acid.
Caution
If you have a salicylate allergy, check with your physician before using any products that contain salicylic acid.
What's inside
Ingredients List
3 trigger at least one check · 23 trigger none
Key Ingredients
Benefits
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
Smoothing7
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Allantoin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycine Soja Oil, Salicylic Acid
Anti-Pollution4
Helps defend against airborne pollutants.
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 Explained
Click on any ingredient to learn more about it
Aqua
Solvent
Methylpropanediol
Solvent
2-Methyl-1,3-propanediol
Learn more about Methylpropanediol →Dicaprylyl Carbonate
Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Carbonic Acid, Dicaprylyl Ester
Learn more about Dicaprylyl Carbonate →C15-19 Alkane
Solvent
C15-C19 Alkane is a mixture of alkanes with 15 to 19 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain.
Learn more about C15-19 Alkane →Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Controlling
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer is a copolymer of sodium hydroxyethyl acrylate and acryloyldimethyl taurate monomers
Learn more about Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer →Salicylic Acid
Anti-seborrheic, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Keratolytic, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid is a BHA.
Learn more about Salicylic Acid →Propanediol
Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Propanediol is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Propanediol →Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Fructosane
Learn more about Inulin →Caprylyl Glycol
Deodorant, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol is the diol that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol →Allantoin
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
Learn more about Allantoin →
Dupes
- Medik8 Blemish Control Pads™65% match
- SkinCeuticals Glycolic Acid 10 Renew Cream for Night Time62% match