Dupes for 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant
by Paula's Choice · Chemical exfoliant
6 products come close enough to call a dupe, best match first.
How the match is scored
A dupe is always the same kind of product — a serum is only compared with serums. Within that, two things are scored and blended.
Ingredient Match compares the two ingredient lists. Lists are ordered by concentration, so an ingredient near the top counts for more than one near the bottom; a dupe has to cover what matters most in the original. It weighs most of all.
Attribute Match compares what the two products are for: the benefits their ingredients are known for, such as hydrating or acne fighting. Those benefits come from the ingredients, not from tests of either product.
Only products scoring 60% or more are listed, at most 50. A match is about the formula on the label: it can't see concentrations the label doesn't print, texture, or how a product feels on your skin.
Dupe #1
Paula's Choice
Extra Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution With 2% Salicylic Acid79% match
67% Attribute Match · 77% Ingredient Match
They share 8 of this product's 13 ingredients (the dupe lists 9).
Both are
- Fragrance-free
- EU-allergen-free
- Alcohol-free
- Paraben-free
- Silicone-free
- Sulfate-free
- Pore-clogger-free
- Oil-free
- Reef-safe
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Both are likely good for
- Hydrating
- Smoothing
- Acne Fighting
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Exfoliating
Brand price: USD 37.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · on the brand's site
Compare side by side →Dupe #2
They share 7 of this product's 13 ingredients (the dupe lists 8).
Both are
- Fragrance-free
- EU-allergen-free
- Alcohol-free
- Paraben-free
- Silicone-free
- Sulfate-free
- Pore-clogger-free
- Oil-free
- Reef-safe
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Both are likely good for
- Hydrating
- Smoothing
- Acne Fighting
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Exfoliating
Brand price: USD 37.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · on the brand's site
Compare side by side →Dupe #3
They share 7 of this product's 13 ingredients (the dupe lists 8).
Both are
- Fragrance-free
- EU-allergen-free
- Alcohol-free
- Paraben-free
- Silicone-free
- Sulfate-free
- Pore-clogger-free
- Oil-free
- Reef-safe
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Both are likely good for
- Hydrating
- Smoothing
- Acne Fighting
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Exfoliating
Brand price: USD 16.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · on the brand's site
Compare side by side →Dupe #4
Paula's Choice
Regular Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution With 2% Salicylic Acid65% match
92% Attribute Match · 43% Ingredient Match
They share 6 of this product's 13 ingredients (the dupe lists 18).
Both are
- Fragrance-free
- EU-allergen-free
- Alcohol-free
- Paraben-free
- Silicone-free
- Sulfate-free
- Pore-clogger-free
- Oil-free
- Reef-safe
- Cruelty-free
Both are likely good for
- Hydrating
- Barrier Repair
- Reduces Irritation
- Redness Reducing
- Smoothing
- Acne Fighting
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Exfoliating
- Antioxidant
- Anti-Pollution
Brand price: USD 37.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · on the brand's site
Compare side by side →Dupe #5
They share 6 of this product's 13 ingredients (the dupe lists 25).
Both are
- Fragrance-free
- EU-allergen-free
- Alcohol-free
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Oil-free
- Reef-safe
- Cruelty-free
Both are likely good for
- Hydrating
- Barrier Repair
- Reduces Irritation
- Redness Reducing
- Smoothing
- Acne Fighting
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Exfoliating
- Antioxidant
- Sun Protection
- Anti-Pollution
Brand price: USD 37.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · on the brand's site
Compare side by side →Dupe #6
They share 4 of this product's 13 ingredients (the dupe lists 12).
Both are
- Fragrance-free
- EU-allergen-free
- Alcohol-free
- Paraben-free
- Silicone-free
- Sulfate-free
- Pore-clogger-free
- Oil-free
- Reef-safe
- Cruelty-free
Both are likely good for
- Hydrating
- Barrier Repair
- Reduces Irritation
- Smoothing
- Acne Fighting
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Exfoliating
- Antioxidant
- Anti-Pollution
Brand price: USD 45.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · on the brand's site
Compare side by side →