Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Exfoliation
- Anti-blemish
- Anti-oxidation
Doesn't work for:
based on ingredients and %- Evens skin tone
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: low
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 0
Key actives
Anti-blemish
What does the product description say?
It also shrinks clogged pores, diminishes the appearance of wrinkles, and improves skin tone.
Source: Paula's Choice US
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
A type of lipid that is naturally present in skin. It might help in repairing skin barrier function and has anti-bacterial effect
Anti-oxidation
This product contains antioxidants (camellia oleifera leaf extract) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
The following ingredients - epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation, even though it is not usually used in sufficient concentration in cosmetics
A plant extract that might contain antioxidants
A plant extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. It might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skin, but is less potent than the extract from the seeds
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
Exfoliation
What does the product description say?
2% BHA Gel Exfoliant
Source: Paula's Choice US
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: salicylic acid.
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
It also shrinks clogged pores, diminishes the appearance of wrinkles, and improves skin tone.
Source: Paula's Choice US
This product might help improve the skin tone through exfoliation. In other words, it helps to speed up the shedding of cells from the upper layer of the skin, and this might help reduce hyperpigmentation.
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Exfoliation | |
| Anti-blemish | |
| Evens skin tone |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 83/100.
We receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no cost for you. Thank you for your support! Learn more
Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
No comedogenic ingredients detected
User reviews (0)
Averages from community submissions.
No reviews yet for this product.
Be the first to share your experience!
Tried this product?
Help capture what the ingredient list can't—texture, finish, pilling, scent, and more. Answer what you can, skip the rest.
Takes ~30 seconds.
Reviews are shown in aggregate. No personal details.
| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Paula's choice 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant | Current | $37.00 | |
CeraVe Blemish Control Gel Moisturiser with 2% Salicylic Acid & Niacinamide for Blemish-Prone Skin | 85% | $11.89 | |
AcneFree Dermatology Inspired Care Blackhead Removing Scrub With Charcoal | 79% | - | |
 Kate Somerville EradiKate™ Blemish Mark Fading Gel | 75% | $75.50 | |
 ARCONA Basic Five Daily Essentials Problem Skin | 74% | - | |
 Beauty Rx Tetrafoliant 10% Peel Pads | 73% | - |
Key Actives
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
A type of lipid that is naturally present in skin. It might help in repairing skin barrier function and has anti-bacterial effect
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation, even though it is not usually used in sufficient concentration in cosmetics
A plant extract that might contain antioxidants
Potential irritants
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
A plant extract that might contain antioxidants
A plant extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. It might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skin, but is less potent than the extract from the seeds
Comedogenic ingredients
We couldn't find any comedogenic ingredients in this product
All ingredients
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
A type of lipid that is naturally present in skin. It might help in repairing skin barrier function and has anti-bacterial effect
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
A plant extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. It might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skin, but is less potent than the extract from the seeds
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation, even though it is not usually used in sufficient concentration in cosmetics
A plant extract that might contain antioxidants
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
Ingredient list view
Water, Methylpropanediol, Butylene glycol, Polysorbate 20, Salicylic acid, Phytosphingosine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Vitis vinifera fruit extract, Camellia oleifera leaf extract, Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract, Bisabolol, Tetrasodium edta, Sodium hydroxide