Versus

Good Molecules BHA Clarify Gel Cream Versus Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment

General Moisturizer
Facial Treatment
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on July 18, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 3 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain BHA

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

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

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 Water
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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 Glycerin
Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning

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.

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 Acid

When to use

124 Routines
43% use in am
57% use in pm
80% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
47 Routines
17% use in am
83% use in pm
55% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Good Molecules BHA Clarify Gel Cream 25 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Great Value (2) Strong Scent (2) Absorbs Well (2)
t_manotas's avatar

tatiana manotas

9 months ago
Review

I'm in my second tube and using it daily it have cleared up my bumps in my forehead and my acne around my cheeks.

#great value
#light
#absorbs well
#sticky
aaahrz's avatar

zahraa

14 days ago
Review

first impression: i accidentally used WAY too much and it BURNED. it hurt so bad i genuinely saw stars but i didn’t wanna wipe off the skincare under it so i kept it on as an overnight mask (because of how much i used there was no way i could rub it in lol) but when i woke up, every last blackhead on my forehead was gone and i had a lot. for the first use, thats kinda crazy.
general impression: Show more

#great value
#drying
#absorbs well
#strong scent

Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment 13 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Works Well (1)
Izzy_Pierce's avatar

Isabel

25 days ago
Review

Works great as an overnight spot treatment for underskin pimples & sits great under makeup

#works well
LaurenCavarra_200's avatar

LaurenCavarra_200

1 year ago
Review

I feel it keeps my pimples and oiliness at bay.