PRODUCT REVIEW
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 11/15/2024 5:1 GMT.
More info
Add to Compare
Cheaper alternatives
Dr Dennis Gross - Alpha Beta Glow Pad Self Tanner For Face | Dr. Dennis Gross
Price: $19.9
Find out more
Product summary
What can the product work for?
Anti-blemish
What does the product description say?
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?
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?
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.
Buy now
We receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no cost for you. Thank you for your support! Learn more
US Retailers
AU Retailers
UK Retailers
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%
|
81%
|
79%
|
78%
|
78%
|
78%
|
78%
|
78%
|
78%
|
78%
|
77%
| |
Key ingredients | Common: Other: | Common: Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common: Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common: Other: | Common: Other:
| Common: Other:
| Common:
Other:
| |
Irritancy | IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
|
Potential Irritants |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All ingredients |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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