Paula's choice Clear Regular Strength 2% BHA Exfoliant
Works for
MoisturizingPanthenol, Glycerin + 7 moreWorks well
“A blend of hydrators and humectants, including hyaluronic acid, panthenol (vitamin B5) and glycerin, ensures skin doesn't feel 'stripped' or tight by maintaining moisture levels and restoring balance.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": dipotassium glycyrrhizate, glycerin.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
Anti-blemishSalicylic acid, AllantoinWorks well
“Salicylic acid works to unclog pores, destroy blemish-causing bacteria and reduce the appearance of blackheads and whiteheads.”
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.
ExfoliationSalicylic acid, AllantoinWorks well
“Clear Regular Strength 2% BHA 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 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%
Dipropylene glycol~6.9–10.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolPentylene glycol~3.9–5.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene 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 20~2.5–3.7%
Butylene glycol~2–3%
- 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 glycolGlycerin~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinSodium hyaluronate~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateDipotassium glycyrrhizate~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening
More about Dipotassium glycyrrhizateAllantoin~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinPanthenol~0.5–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolPeg/ppg-17/6 copolymer~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Methyl gluceth-20~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and soften it
More about Methyl gluceth-20Glycereth-26~0.15–0.55%
Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silaneSodium hydroxide~0.05–0.2%
Tetrasodium edta~0.01–0.1%
Sodium metabisulfite~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Dipropylene glycol, Pentylene glycol, Salicylic acid, Polysorbate 20, Butylene glycol, Glycerin, Sodium hyaluronate, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Allantoin, Panthenol, Peg/ppg-17/6 copolymer, Methyl gluceth-20, Glycereth-26, Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane, Sodium hydroxide, Tetrasodium edta, Sodium metabisulfite
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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 choiceClear Regular Strength 2% BHA ExfoliantYOUR PRODUCT | Geek GorgeousCalm Down Liquid | Skin ControlPeel Pads | Trish McEvoyCorrect & Brighten Beta Pad Exfoliator Duo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 83% | 80% | 78% |
| Price | $34.00 | $13.02−$20.98 | $7.59−$26.41 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 5 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Lactobionic Acid | Gluconolactone | Hamamelis Virginiana Extract |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | High |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: B. Kamins Lactic-10Beauty Drops AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling
Product summary
"Paula's choice - Clear Regular Strength 2% BHA Exfoliant" is effective for: Moisturizing, Anti-blemish and Exfoliation
Ingredient callouts
- Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) at about 0.95% - 1.45% concentration. In this concentration, Panthenol works effectively to improve the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.
- Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate in this product (1.40% - 2.10%) can also further help improve the skin barrier. It might be able to calm down inflammation and reduce sensitivity. Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate is an active compound from the licorice root.
- In addition, this product contains Allantoin (1.10% - 1.60%). Allantoin is helpful in wound-healing and can help restore the skin barrier faster. It might also be able to improve scars, but the evidence is not very strong for this.
- Humectants (panthenol 0.95% - 1.45%, allantoin 1.10% - 1.60%, dipotassium glycyrrhizate 1.40% - 2.10% and glycerin 1.70% - 2.60%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Paula's choice" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails from 24.65£ up to 36.00£ in the United Kingdom and from 34.00$ up to 37.50$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 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
- 5
- 6Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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