Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant .
Last updated on August 14, 2023. Published on May 02, 2021
Overview
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, 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.
Serum
Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.
Exfoliator
Exfoliators are used to exfoliate the skin, or remove dead skin cells from the skin. Exfoliators may be chemical or physical.
Price
Ingredient Info
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant 13 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Contains Parabens
Ingredients in this product that are types of parabens:
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Malassezia Safe
This product is free of malassezia feeding ingredients 🎉
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant 13 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant 13 ingredients
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterDifferin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment contains this as ingredient number 7.
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 1.
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.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideDifferin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment contains this as ingredient number 8.
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 13.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant 13 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant 13 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients
Works! Doesn’t irritate my skin when used on a dry surface. I hate how my skin looks when it sends all the clogged sebum to the surface of my skin, but it clears over time and leaves the skin incredibly firm and smooth. It’s the only not...
Works! Doesn’t irritate my skin when used on a dry surface. I hate how my skin looks when it sends all the clogged sebum to the surface of my skin, but it clears over time and leaves the skin incredibly firm and smooth. It’s the only not cruelty-free product I use just because it’s benefitted me so greatly and, in my opinion, is indisputably the best prescription-grade retinoid especially for sensitive skin.
I've been using this on and off for around 2 years. I thought this was going to help my acne, but looking back at pictures I actually think it's made my acne worse! It's made my acne areas really inflamed and red with angry spots. Think...
I've been using this on and off for around 2 years. I thought this was going to help my acne, but looking back at pictures I actually think it's made my acne worse! It's made my acne areas really inflamed and red with angry spots. Think it's time to cut it out of my routine... Given it 2 stars as it soaks in pretty fast and is hydrating.
Pro: it cleans and controls my acne! The only acne treatment that works for me.
Contra: drying and sensitizes my skin. Needs to back up with a lot of hydration and calming products.
Pro: it cleans and controls my acne! The only acne treatment that works for me.
Contra: drying and sensitizes my skin. Needs to back up with a lot of hydration and calming products.
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant 13 ingredients
Single-handedly cleared up my ever present stubborn blackheads!
Single-handedly cleared up my ever present stubborn blackheads!
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!
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 9 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment.
See 9 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 4 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant.
See 4 alternatives
