PRODUCT REVIEW
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Paula's choice CALM 1% BHA Sensitive Skin Exfoliant
Can it cause trouble?
Buy from Amazon US $35.00
More options from: $35.00
Price as of 2/3/2025 4:55 GMT.
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Product summary
What can the product work for?
Anti-blemish
What does the product description say?
Visibly minimise redness with the help of Paula’s Choice Calm 1% BHA Sensitive Skin Exfoliant, a non-abrasive, leave-on exfoliant that works to gently smooth away build-up and unclog pores.
salicylic acid
1.7% -
2.1%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: 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)
inulin
1.5% -
1.8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is claimed to support the growth of "good" bacteria in skin (as a "prebiotic"), but the research is lacking
allantoin
0.6% -
0.9%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
Exfoliation
What does the product description say?
CALM 1% BHA Sensitive Skin Exfoliant
salicylic acid
1.7% -
2.1%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: 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)
allantoin
0.6% -
0.9%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
Moisturizing
glycerin
0.5% -
0.75%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
glycine soja oil
0.3% -
0.6%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
inulin
1.5% -
1.8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is claimed to support the growth of "good" bacteria in skin (as a "prebiotic"), but the research is lacking
Show more
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
Working to support a healthy microbiome, this exfoliant has a light gel-cream texture that soothes the skin.Formulated with 1% salicylic acid, the exfoliant works to clear congested pores and reveal more youthful-looking skin.
tocopherol
0.65% -
0.95%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
laminaria digitata extract
0.4% -
0.6%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Concentration: Insufficient!
Seaweed extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but good research is lacking at the moment
Honesty check
How honest is this product?
Promise | Can it deliver? |
---|---|
Exfoliation | |
Anti-blemish | |
Anti-aging |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
66/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 2
Potential irritants
salicylic acid
1.7% -
2.1%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Exfoliation,
Anti-blemish,
Anti-inflammatory,
Antibacterial,
Evens skin tone
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)
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
laminaria digitata extract
0.4% -
0.6%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-aging
Seaweed extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but good research is lacking at the moment
glycine soja oil
0.3% -
0.6%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Moisturizing
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
Similar products & dupes
![]() Paula's choice - CALM 1% BHA Sensitive Skin Exfoliant | ![]() Pelican Soap - Peeling Soap Sponsored | ![]() StackedSkincare - Overnight Exfoliation Stack | ![]() Jan Marini - Marini Multi-Acid Exfoliating Pads | ![]() Skin Control - Peel Pads | ![]() Dr Dennis Gross - Alpha Beta Glow Pad Self Tanner For Face | Dr. Dennis Gross | ![]() B. Kamins - Lactic-10 | ![]() Geek & Gorgeous 101 - Calm down | ![]() Facetheory - Saliatica 2% BHA Exfoliant T6 | ![]() Dermalogica - breakout clearing liquid peel | ![]() CeraVe - Blemish Control Gel Moisturiser with 2% Salicylic Acid & Niacinamide for Blemish-Prone Skin | ![]() Allies of Skin - Multi Acids & Retinoid Brightening Sleeping Facial | |
Price | ||||||||||||
WIMJ similarity score |
73%
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81%
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79%
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78%
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78%
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78%
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78%
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78%
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78%
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78%
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77%
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Key ingredients | Common: Other: | Common: Other:
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Other:
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Irritancy | IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
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LOW
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LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
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MEDIUM
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Potential Irritants |
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All ingredients |
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
allantoin
0.6% -
0.9%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-inflammatory,
Moisturizing,
Reduces irritation,
Anti-blemish,
Reduces redness,
Exfoliation
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
salicylic acid
1.7% -
2.1%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Exfoliation,
Anti-blemish,
Anti-inflammatory,
Antibacterial,
Evens skin tone
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)
Show more
Potential irritants
salicylic acid
1.7% -
2.1%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Exfoliation,
Anti-blemish,
Anti-inflammatory,
Antibacterial,
Evens skin tone
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)
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
laminaria digitata extract
0.4% -
0.6%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-aging
Seaweed extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but good research is lacking at the moment
glycine soja oil
0.3% -
0.6%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Moisturizing
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
All ingredients
dicaprylyl carbonate
4.2% -
5.1%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
Show more
Ingredient list view
Water, Methylpropanediol, Dicaprylyl carbonate, C15-19 alkane, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Salicylic acid, Propanediol, Inulin, Prunus mume extract, Caprylyl glycol, Allantoin, Tocopherol, Sodium hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene glycol, Sorbitan isostearate, Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, Glycerin, Prunus mume extract, Laminaria digitata extract, Prunus mume extract, Albatrellus confluens extract, Glycine soja oil, Opuntia ficus-indica stem extract, Galactoarabinan, Citric acid, Schizophyllan, Prunus mume extract, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol
Sources
- Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive review
- Beta Hydroxy Acids
- A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparations
- Glycolic Acid Peels Versus Salicylic–Mandelic Acid Peels in Active Acne Vulgaris and Post‐Acne Scarring and Hyperpigmentation: A Comparative Study
- Probiotics and prebiotics potential for the care of skin, female urogenital tract, and respiratory tract