Image: paulaschoice.com
Paula's Choice
8% AHA Lotion Exfoliant
A chemical exfoliant built around AHA and Glycolic 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
- Dry skin
- Sensitive skin
- Fine lines & wrinkles
- Dryness & dehydration
- Dullness
How to use
Apply once or twice daily after cleansing and toning. Apply a dime-sized amount over the entire face, avoiding direct contact with eyes and lips. Do not rinse. For daytime, follow with a broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 30 or greater.
Caution
Sun Protection Advice When Using Any AHA Exfoliant: This product contains 8% glycolic acid, an ingredient that may increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun and the possibility of sunburn. Always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 30 or greater every day. When outdoors, wear protective clothing whenever possible, seek shade, and avoid prolonged sun exposure.
What's inside
Ingredients List
11 trigger at least one check · 24 trigger none
- AHA
- Glycolic acid
- Anti-Aging
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Exfoliating
- Smoothing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Key Ingredients
Fatty alcohol2
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Benefits
Hydrating8
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Panthenol, Stearyl Alcohol, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair15
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Panthenol, Stearyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Tridecane, Undecane
Reduces Irritation5
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Bisabolol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Panthenol
Redness Reducing3
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Smoothing12
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Allantoin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glycolic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Stearyl Alcohol, Tridecane, Undecane
Anti-Pollution5
Helps defend against airborne pollutants.
Allantoin, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate
Concerns
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis9
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Arachidyl Alcohol, Beheneth-5, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Phospholipids, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
May Worsen Irritation3
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Ingredients Explained
Click on any ingredient to learn more about it
Water
Antiplaque, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Learn more about Water →Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid is an AHA.
Learn more about Glycolic Acid →Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Fragrance, Perfuming, Occlusive, Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is the mixed triester of glycerin and caprylic and capric acids.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride →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 →Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering, Denaturant
Sodium hydroxide
Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide →Beheneth-5
Emulsifying
Beheneth-5 isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Beheneth-5 →Dimethicone
Antifoaming, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Skin Protecting
Dimethicone is a silicone.
Learn more about Dimethicone →Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Decanoic acid, mixed esters with neopentyl glycol and octanoic acid
Learn more about Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate →Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate →Behenyl Alcohol
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Emollient, Viscosity Controlling
Behenyl Alcohol isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Behenyl Alcohol →