Works for
ExfoliationSalicylic acidWorks well
“2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant”
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.
Anti-blemishSalicylic acidWorks well
“Fights breakouts & blackheads”
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.
Evens skin toneSalicylic acidNot delivered
“Sheds built-up layers of skin for smooth, even tone”
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.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Camellia oleifera leaf extractWorks well
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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Methylpropanediol~7.1–10.7%
Butylene glycol~3.6–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about Butylene glycolSalicylic acid2%
- Irritation risk
- High
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)
More about Salicylic acidPolysorbate 20~2.2–3.3%
Camellia oleifera leaf extract~1.2–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation, even though it is not usually used in sufficient concentration in cosmetics
More about Camellia oleifera leaf extractSodium hydroxide~0.5–1.1%
Tetrasodium edta~0.2–0.75%
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Water, Methylpropanediol, Butylene glycol, Salicylic acid, Polysorbate 20, Camellia oleifera leaf extract, Sodium hydroxide, Tetrasodium edta, Phenoxyethanol
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Paula's choice2% BHA Liquid ExfoliantYOUR PRODUCT | MeBHA Toner | ISNTREEChestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid | Personal DayDoing the Work Acne Treatment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 89% | 88% | 88% |
| Price | $15.00 | $11.89−$3.11 | $12.60−$2.40 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 1 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 2 |
| Key difference | — | Panthenol | Biosaccharide Gum-1 | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion TonerNeutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Triple-Action Toner
Product summary
"Paula's choice - 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant" is effective for: Anti-inflammatory, Anti-blemish and Exfoliation
Ingredient callouts
- Salicylic acid (1.60% - 2.50%). This is an oil-soluble exfoliating acid. Because of this property, it can work inside pores and help reduce the congestion. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and is used to treat acne. Because it is a quite strong exfoliator, be careful with using this product too often: it could result in over-exfoliation.
Price
The product retails for 36.00€ in Germany, from 11.00£ up to 61.00£ in the United Kingdom, for 54.00A$ in Australia, from 13.00$ up to 37.00$ in the United States and for 17.00CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 4 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
- 3A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
- 4
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