Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Exfoliation
- Anti-blemish
- Moisturizing
Doesn't work for:
based on ingredients and %- Anti-aging
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: low
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 0
Key actives
Product Summary
"Paula's choice - Skin Perfecting BHA 9 Treatment" is effective for: Anti-inflammatory, Exfoliation and Anti-blemish
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Salicylic acid (1.60% - 2.40%). 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.
- Humectants (arginine 0.15% - 0.60% and glycerin 1.70% - 2.50%). 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 for 86.89CA$ in Canada, from 44.10A$ up to 63.00A$ in Australia and for 46.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Anti-blemish
What does the product description say?
This serum visibly and quickly minimizes stubborn bumps, redness, enlarged pores and clarifies skin’s surface.
Source: Paula's Choice US
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)
Exfoliation
What does the product description say?
This serum visibly and quickly minimizes stubborn bumps, redness, enlarged pores and clarifies skin’s surface.
Source: Paula's Choice US
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)
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
The concentrated, targeted treatment delivers a 9% BHA formula in a controlled, sustained manner to help diminish white bumps, unclog pores, and refine rough skin while minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles without irritating your skin.Key Ingredients Salicylic Acid dissolves dull, dry and rough skin for a smoother complexion Oat and Sea Whip Extracts provide antioxidant benefits, soothe redness and sensitivity Glycerin and Arginine provide lightweight hydration and restore moisture barrier Key Benefits Delivers controlled, sustained release of salicylic acid Minimizes the appearance of enlarged pores Diminishes the appearance of hard, white bumps Ideal for all skin types
Source: Dermstore
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
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. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
arginine, glycerin.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: arginine.
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Might help neutrlize free radicals, calm down inflammation, and attract water to the upper layer of the skin
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
Helps create a nice product texture and soften the upper layer of the skin.
Used to create a nice product consistency
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
An effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
The concentrated, targeted treatment delivers a 9% BHA formula in a controlled, sustained manner to help diminish white bumps, unclog pores, and refine rough skin while minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles without irritating your skin.Key Ingredients Salicylic Acid dissolves dull, dry and rough skin for a smoother complexion Oat and Sea Whip Extracts provide antioxidant benefits, soothe redness and sensitivity Glycerin and Arginine provide lightweight hydration and restore moisture barrier Key Benefits Delivers controlled, sustained release of salicylic acid Minimizes the appearance of enlarged pores Diminishes the appearance of hard, white bumps Ideal for all skin types
Source: Dermstore
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Exfoliation | |
| Anti-blemish | |
| Moisturizing | |
| Anti-aging |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 68/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
No comedogenic ingredients detected
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
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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)
An effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties
Might help neutrlize free radicals, calm down inflammation, and attract water to the upper layer of the skin
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
Potential irritants
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
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 help reduce inflammation and neutralize free radicals
Comedogenic ingredients
We couldn't find any comedogenic ingredients in this product
All ingredients
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
Helps create a nice product texture and soften 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)
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
An effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties
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
A plant extract that might help reduce inflammation and neutralize free radicals
Might help neutrlize free radicals, calm down inflammation, and attract water to the upper layer of the skin
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
Ingredient list view
Propylene glycol, Peg-75, Peg-8, Water, Salicylic acid, Glycerin, Avena sativa kernel extract, Avena sativa seed extract, Butylene glycol, Boerhavia diffusa root extract, Sea whip extract, Arginine, Polysorbate 20, Disodium edta
- Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitis
- Propylene Glycol
- Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycol
- Safety Evaluation of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Compounds for Cosmetic Use
- 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
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Use of boerhavia diffusa extract for skin relief
- Plant-Derived Immunomodulators
- Marine ingredients and the skin