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Updated on December 05, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe exfoliators. They have a total of 1 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, brightening skin, oily skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant US
Acure Brightening Facial Scrub
Acure Brightening Facial Scrub
Exfoliator
American Brand United States

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

Methylpropanediol Solvent

Methylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.

Butylene Glycol Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
1 / 0

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

1 Com. / 0 Irr.
Salicylic Acid Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
BHA  •  Preservative  •  5 Benefits  •  4 Concerns

Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Polysorbate 20 Emulsifying
0 / 0
Not safe for Fungal Acne

Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Very Disliked Full details ->
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Masking

Camellia Oleifera Leaf is a green tea plant native to China. It is closely related to Camellia sinensis. Both plants have very similar properties.

Unknown Full details ->
Sodium Hydroxide Buffering

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

Tetrasodium EDTA

Tetrasodium EDTA is the salt formed from neutralizing ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. It is a chelating agent and used to prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps keep the product and ingredients stable.

Disliked Full details ->
Brightening Facial Scrub
Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Skin Conditioning
2 Benefits

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice comes from leaves of the aloe plant. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is best known for helping to soothe sunburns. It is also anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, and can help heal wounds.

Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0
2 Benefits

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate Cleansing, Foaming
Not safe for Fungal Acne

This gentle cleansing and foaming ingredient is known for leaving a smooth feeling in skin and hair. It is made using coconut oil.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Juglans Regia Shell Powder Abrasive
Exfoliant

You might know this ingredient as walnut shell powder. It is an abrasive used as a physical exfoliator.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Kaolin Abrasive, Absorbent, Cosmetic Colorant
0 / 0
Exfoliant  •  2 Benefits

Kaolin is a clay. It is used for oil control and to help minimize pores. Like other clays, kaolin has the ability to absorb excess sebum or oil. This can help clean out pores and mattify the skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Sodium Lauroamphoacetate Cleansing, Foaming

We don't have a description for Sodium Lauroamphoacetate.

Unknown Full details ->
Citrus Limon Peel Masking, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Citrus Limon Peel.

Unknown Full details ->
Sodium PCA Humectant, Skin Conditioning
0 / 0

Sodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid and is naturally occurring on human skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate Emulsifying

Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate is the lauric acid sodium salt of lactyl lactate.

Glyceryl Laurate Emollient, Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne

Glyceryl Laurate isn't fungal acne safe.

Disliked Full details ->
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate Cleansing
Not safe for Fungal Acne

Sodium cocoyl isethionate is a natural ingredient from the fatty acids of coconut oil. It is a surfactant and helps with cleansing the skin.

Disliked Full details ->
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning
0-2 / 0
Fragrance  •  Oil  •  Not safe for Fungal Acne

Olea Europaea Fruit Oil is the fixed oil obtained from the ripe fruit of the Olive. In other words - olive oil.

0-2 Com. / 0 Irr.
Very Disliked Full details ->
Laminaria Digitata Powder Skin Conditioning

Laminaria Digitata Powder comes from the dark brown seaweed, Laminaria Digitata. It is a potent antioxidant, which also provides soothing and hydrating benefits.

Unknown Full details ->
Lilium Candidum Callus Culture Extract Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Skin Protecting
Antioxidant

Lilium Candidum Callus Culture Extract is an antioxidant.

Unknown Full details ->
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract

This extract comes from the Cabbage Palm, AKA the Açaí berry! It has skin soothing, antioxidant, and anti-aging properties.

Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract Astringent, Masking, Tonic

Blackberry extract is rich in antioxidants and Vitamin C. The majority of antioxidants include flavonoid, phenolic, and anthocyanins.

Rosa Canina Fruit Extract Astringent, Skin Conditioning, Tonic
Good for Scar Healing

Rosa Canina Fruit Extract is from Rosehip. Rosehips are a fruit from a wild rose bush native to Eurasia and Africa.

Punica Granatum Extract Astringent, Masking, Tonic

Punica Granatum extract comes from the pomegranate.

Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning
Fragrance  •  2 Benefits

Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract comes from the common Marigold plant. This ingredient is a skin conditioner.

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Masking, Skin Conditioning
2 Benefits

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.

Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract.

Unknown Full details ->
Copper Chlorophyll Cosmetic Colorant

We don't have a description for Copper Chlorophyll.

Unknown Full details ->
Chondrus Crispus Extract Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin

Chondrus Crispus Extract comes from a red algae native to the northern Atlantic coasts of Europe and North America.

Argania Spinosa Callus Culture Extract Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Argania Spinosa Callus Culture Extract.

Unknown Full details ->
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract Skin Conditioning

Chlorella Vulgaris Extract comes from the microalga, Chlorella vulgaris. It is hydrating and contains antioxidants. Studies also show Chlorella Vulgaris may help in rebuilding collagen and elastin.

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Emollient, Masking, Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
Oil  •  Helps hydrate Dry Skin  •  2 Concerns

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil is the oil derived from the seeds of a Sunflower. Sunflower seed oil is non-fragrant. It is an emollient, meaning it helps to soften the skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Disliked Full details ->
Cymbopogon Flexuosus Leaf Oil Masking
Oil

Cymbopogon Flexuosus Leaf Oil is an oil.

Unknown Full details ->
Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil Astringent, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Oil  •  EU Allergen

Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil is an oil.

Disliked Full details ->
Salvia Sclarea Oil Masking, Tonic
Oil

Salvia Sclarea Oil is a volatile oil obtained from the Clary Sage, Salvia sclarea L., Lamiaceae

Disliked Full details ->
Lavandula Hybrida Oil Emollient
Oil

Lavandula Hybrida Oil is an oil.

Unknown Full details ->
Cellulose Gum Emulsion Stabilising, Masking
0 / 0

Cellulose Gum is a water-soluble polymer that comes from cellulose. It is used to change the texture of a product and to help stabilize emulsions.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Sodium Levulinate Skin Conditioning

Sodium levulinate is the a sodium salt of Levulinic Acid. If dissolved in an aqueous solution, the two ingredients become identical.

Gluconolactone Skin Conditioning
PHA  •  2 Benefits

Gluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.

Potassium Sorbate Preservative
Preservative

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

Disliked Full details ->

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Loved

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Ingredient Ratings

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
2
3
2
1
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated
Brightening Facial Scrub
16
1
9
9
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated

When to use

3,143 Routines
27% use in am
73% use in pm
69% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
68 Routines
43% use in am
57% use in pm
54% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 8 ingredients

4.4 /5
from 35 ratings
Works Well (7) Expensive (5) No Scent (2) Light (2) Absorbs Well (1) Sticky (1)
skinogre's avatar

skinogre

26 days ago · Oily Skin
Review

The first night I used Paula’s choice exfoliant just once, it cleaned up my skin scraping it whole, I was left GLOWING but it felt kind of tight...

The first night I used Paula’s choice exfoliant just once, it cleaned up my skin scraping it whole, I was left GLOWING but it felt kind of tight like I had been using corsx salicylic acid for 3 days straight, it takes some getting used to, to the extent that the instructions literally say to start off once a week and slowly build your usage up overtime, it’s really strong but does the job well. I’ve noticed that if I overuse it, I get extremely coarse skin and whiteheads slowly appear in the places I use it most (my nose). This is why I highly advise to purchase the small sample bottle first and to build your way up, at MOST every other day. I’ve used it 3-4 times a week since and on the few days I don’t I use a daily-friendly exfoliant toner pad so my skin barrier isn’t destroyed but bacteria doesn’t also build. It dries up all the forehead gunk, removes residue on the sides of my nose and dried up the pimples I had been trying to rid of for so long, my skin is left gleaming, exfoliated as ever, and I know my skin wouldn’t be as flawless without it. 30ml sample version Lasted 2 months from Dec-Feb used every other day. I now use the 118ml version since Feb and there’s plenty left, will most likely last for about 7 months and 3 weeks in total (based on how long i went through the sample size). As much as I love this I deeply suggest researching and sampling because there are mixed reviews of people claiming that it ruined their skin which doesn’t surprise me -since it is pretty harsh exfoliant and skin is diverse. I tend to be wary of western products but one thing western products do well is harsh exfoliants. If you have a lot of bacterial residue, sebaceous filaments and the feeling of gunk on your face even after your exfoliant, this is a good one to consider. This combined with my Needley daily Toner pad is the only reason why my forehead looks like a glazed doughnut

MichelleR's avatar

MichelleR

6 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

Viral for a REASON
This product is popular for a reason. Back in the day [showing my age] we used to use Noxzema and Stridex for our acne. But...

Viral for a REASON
This product is popular for a reason. Back in the day [showing my age] we used to use Noxzema and Stridex for our acne. But those products were so harsh, burned, and didn't produce any results. This product not only clears pores but is also nourishing [suspect it is the green tea]. After I apply, my skin doesn't feel raw or sensitive. The formulation of this product is FANTASTIC. Truly viral for a reason. It will forever be in my skincare collection.

Acure Brightening Facial Scrub 35 ingredients

4.5 /5
from 2 ratings