Image: paulaschoice.com
Paula's Choice
Daily Pore-Refining Treatment With 2% BHA
A chemical exfoliant built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for hydration and barrier repair.
Brand price
USD 29.60 · 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
- Dark spots & pigmentation
- Fine lines & wrinkles
- Dryness & dehydration
- Large pores
- Uneven texture
How to use
Gently apply using fingers or a cotton pad over entire face and neck, including the eye area (avoid lash line and eyelids) after cleansing and toning. Do not rinse. Start Slowly: Apply every other day and note skin's response. Then use up to twice daily. For daytime, always finish with SPF 30+ . For nighttime, follow with the rest of your routine.
Caution
If you have a salicylate allergy, check with your physician before using any products that contain salicylic acid.
What's inside
Ingredients List
4 trigger at least one check · 22 trigger none
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Peptides
- Anti-Aging
- Firming
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Peptides
- Anti-Aging
- Firming
- Reduces Irritation
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Key Ingredients
Hyaluronic acid1
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Peptides2
Short amino-acid chains used as signalling actives.
Benefits
Hydrating9
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Butylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trehalose
Barrier Repair5
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Panthenol
Reduces Irritation4
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Panthenol
Anti-Aging2
Softens lines and helps skin look youthful.
Smoothing4
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Allantoin, Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Caprylyl Glycol, Salicylic Acid
Anti-Pollution4
Helps defend against airborne pollutants.
Allantoin, Glycerin, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Sodium Metabisulfite
Concerns
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis4
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Polysorbate 20
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 →Dipropylene Glycol
Fragrance, Perfuming, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
1,1'-Oxydipropan-2-ol; Oxydipropan-2-ol; Hydroxypropyloxypropanol
Learn more about Dipropylene Glycol →Salicylic Acid
Anti-seborrheic, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Keratolytic, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid is a BHA.
Learn more about Salicylic Acid →Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
Learn more about Pentylene Glycol →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 →Polysorbate 20
Cleansing, Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20 isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20 →Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 →Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 →Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
.alpha.-d-Glucopyranosiduronic acid, (3.beta.,20.beta.)-20-carboxy-11-oxo-30-norolean-12-en-3-yl 2-O-.beta.-d-glucopyranuronosyl-, dipotassium salt
Learn more about Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate →Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid
Antioxidant
4,4'-(2,3-Dimethyltetramethylene)dipyrocatechol
Learn more about Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid →
Dupes
- Paula's Choice Regular Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution With 2% Salicylic Acid87% match
- Geek & Gorgeous Porefectly Clear64% match
- Celimax TXA Body Clarifying Pad63% match