Esfolio 3HA Clear Toner Versus Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant
Updated on September 03, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Esfolio 3HA Clear Toner 38 ingredients
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant 25 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Esfolio 3HA Clear Toner 38 ingredients
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant 25 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingMelaleuca Cajaputi Extract
Tonic
Hydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Lactobionic Acid
Buffering
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Malic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Pyruvic Acid
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Dipropylene Glycol, Melaleuca Cajaputi Extract, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Allantoin, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Adenosine, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Salicylic Acid, Mentha Piperita Oil, Lactobionic Acid, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract, Sodium Lactate, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Sodium PCA, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Malic Acid, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Pyruvic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Epilobium Angustifolium Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Cetyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Sorbitan Stearate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lauric Acid, Allantoin, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Extract, Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterButylene 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.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinAllantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.
Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTASalicylic 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.
This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.
Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.
In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Esfolio 3HA Clear Toner 38 ingredients
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant 25 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Esfolio 3HA Clear Toner 38 ingredients
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant 25 ingredients
Why are brands still putting Dimethicone in products 🙄
Strangely oily. The first time I used this I thought it worked wonders but over time lost it's effectiveness and I started breaking out again. When I had another recent breakout, it did absolutely nothing and makes me think that this was contributing to my breakouts all along.
