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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant .

Last updated on December 25, 2023. Published on July 22, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 2 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain BHA

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

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

Toner South Korean Brand South Korea
Exfoliator American Brand United States

Toner

Toners are used as a “last-step” cleanser, a pH balancer, add moisture to the skin, or may help in reducing impurities on the skin. They have a liquid consistency and are usually used after cleansers but before treatments.

Exfoliator

Exfoliators are used to exfoliate the skin, or remove dead skin cells from the skin. Exfoliators may be chemical or physical.

Price

Shop

Buy AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner

Starts at $9.99
Shop

Buy Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant

Starts at $35.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

AHA
BHA

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Brightening

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea (2)

Notable Ingredients

BHA

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin
Reduces Irritation
Reduces Large Pores
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: 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

COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner contains this as ingredient number 1.

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

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

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner contains this as ingredient number 4.

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 3.

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

64% are loved or liked
27% have mixed ratings
0% are disliked or very disliked
9% have no rating yet
46% are loved or liked
31% have mixed ratings
15% are disliked or very disliked
8% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner 11 ingredients

3.8 /5
from 37 ratings
Absorbs Well (4) Light (4) Great Value (3) No Scent (3) Works Well (2) Drying (1)
Gracekp_827's avatar

Gracekp_827

2 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

My first chemical exfoliator. Great as an introduction for beginner or sensitive skin. Works well for a couple of months and then it didn't give...

My first chemical exfoliator. Great as an introduction for beginner or sensitive skin. Works well for a couple of months and then it didn't give the same effect as it used to. Help reduce blackheads, bumps, and prevent hormonal aches.

jojoswrld_'s avatar

jojoswrld_

4 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

When I first used this, it made my skin tingle ever-so-slightly before revealing the smoothest skin ever. The ever-present texture (closed...

When I first used this, it made my skin tingle ever-so-slightly before revealing the smoothest skin ever. The ever-present texture (closed comedones) on my forehead and cheeks have diminished greatly because of this. I only use it at night because AHA can cause sensitivity to sunlight!

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant 13 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 2 ratings
No Scent (1) Works Well (1)
nafi_saa's avatar

nafi_saa

11 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

Single-handedly cleared up my ever present stubborn blackheads!

MichelleR's avatar

MichelleR

4 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

This product layers so well underneath my sunscreen. It gives me the confidence that my acne is being treated during the day. I absolutely love this!

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 48 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner.

See 48 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 5 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant.

See 5 alternatives
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