Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Exfoliation
- Anti-blemish
- Anti-aging
- 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
Product Summary
"Paula's choice - Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant" is effective for: Anti-inflammatory, Exfoliation and Anti-blemish
This moisturizer could be helpful for: Anti-aging, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- As a plus, this moisturizer also contains Ceramides (phytosphingosine 1.50% - 2.30%). Ceramides are a type of lipids that our skin produces itself. They are a building block of the skin's barrier. Ceramides used in skincare are synthetic or extracted from plants. They work well for softening the skin surface and "patch holes" in the skin's barrier.
- Salicylic acid (1.20% - 1.90%) in this product will have an exfoliating effect and help smooth the skin. We, however, do not recommend using a moisturizer with Salicylic Acid daily to avoid over-exfoliating.
Price
The product retails for 35.00£ in the United Kingdom and for 16.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Anti-blemish
What does the product description say?
It also shrinks clogged pores, diminishes the appearance of wrinkles, and improves skin tone.
Source: Dermstore
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 (vitis vinifera seed 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 - camellia sinensis extract, 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 contains resveratrol and other anti-oxidant compounds that can help neutralize free radicals, reduce inflammation in skin and even out its tone. Can be also used to stabilize the product formulation
Tea extract. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skin
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
Exfoliation
What does the product description say?
Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant
Source: From product name
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)
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
It also shrinks clogged pores, diminishes the appearance of wrinkles, and improves skin tone.
Source: Dermstore
This product contains vitis vinifera seed extract. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
A plant extract that contains resveratrol and other anti-oxidant compounds that can help neutralize free radicals, reduce inflammation in skin and even out its tone. Can be also used to stabilize the product formulation
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
It also shrinks clogged pores, diminishes the appearance of wrinkles, and improves skin tone.
Source: Dermstore
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 | |
| Anti-aging | |
| Evens skin tone |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 81/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
No comedogenic ingredients detected
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Paula's choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant | Current | $16.00 | |
 CeraVe Blemish Control Gel Moisturiser with 2% Salicylic Acid & Niacinamide for Blemish-Prone Skin | 83% | $11.00 | |
 AcneFree Dermatology Inspired Care Blackhead Removing Scrub With Charcoal | 77% | $8.99 | |
 Kate Somerville EradiKate™ Blemish Mark Fading Gel | 74% | $58.00 | |
 bioClarity Treat Acne Clearing Gel | 73% | - | |
 Image skincare CLEAR CELL clarifying repair crème | 72% | $38.00 |
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)
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 contains resveratrol and other anti-oxidant compounds that can help neutralize free radicals, reduce inflammation in skin and even out its tone. Can be also used to stabilize the product formulation
A type of lipid that is naturally present in skin. It might help in repairing skin barrier function and has anti-bacterial effect
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
Tea extract. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skin
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)
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
Comedogenic ingredients
We couldn't find any comedogenic ingredients in this product
All ingredients
Tea extract. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in 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)
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 contains resveratrol and other anti-oxidant compounds that can help neutralize free radicals, reduce inflammation in skin and even out its tone. Can be also used to stabilize the product formulation
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
Unknown, Camellia sinensis extract, Salicylic acid, Water, Methylpropanediol, Butylene glycol, Polysorbate 20, Salicylic acid, Phytosphingosine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Vitis vinifera seed extract, Camellia sinensis flower extract, Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract, Bisabolol, Sodium hydroxide, Tetrasodium edta
- 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
- Safety Assessment of Vitis Vinifera (Grape)-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics
- The Topical Effect of Grape Seed Extract 2% Cream on Surgery Wound Healing
- Review of the Pharmacological Effects of Vitis vinifera (Grape) and its Bioactive Constituents: An Update
- Therapeutic Potential of Polyphenols from Epilobium Angustifolium (Fireweed): Polyphenols from Fireweed
- α-(-)-Bisabolol Reduces Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Production and Ameliorates Skin Inflammation