Fresh Sugar Strawberry Exfoliating Face Wash Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant - US
Updated on June 20, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe exfoliators. They have a total of 3 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and reducing pores
Free From
They both do not contain any 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.
Ingredient Info
Fresh Sugar Strawberry Exfoliating Face Wash 22 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 8 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Fresh Sugar Strawberry Exfoliating Face Wash 22 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 8 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Glycerin
Humectant
Sucrose
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Fragaria Ananassa Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
Emulsifying
Ribes Nigrum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Zea Mays Starch
AbsorbentVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract
CleansingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingWater
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Glycerin, Sucrose, Butylene Glycol, Fragaria Ananassa Fruit Juice, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Ribes Nigrum Fruit Extract, Zea Mays Starch, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Tocopherol, Parfum, Carbomer, Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene, Citral, Benzyl Alcohol, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolSodium 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 HydroxideWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Fresh Sugar Strawberry Exfoliating Face Wash 22 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 8 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
