Me+ BHA Toner Versus Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Me+ BHA Toner versus Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment .

Published on March 26, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe exfoliators. They have a total of 5 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 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.

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Me+ BHA Toner

Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment

Exfoliator British Brand United Kingdom

Exfoliator American Brand United States

Exfoliator

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

Exfoliator

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

Price

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Buy BHA Toner

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Buy BHA 9 Treatment

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

Me+ BHA Toner 12 ingredients

Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment 13 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

Me+ BHA Toner 12 ingredients

Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment 13 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

BHA

Benefits

Hydrating

Good For Oily Skin

Redness Reducing

Reduces Irritation (2)

Reduces Large Pores

Scar Healing

Acne Fighting

Brightening

Concerns

Drying

Irritating

Rosacea

Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

BHA

Exfoliators

Benefits

Hydrating (2)

Good For Oily Skin

Reduces Irritation

Reduces Large Pores

Scar Healing

Acne Fighting

Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying

Irritating

Rosacea

Eczema (2)

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Ingredients Compared

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

Me+ BHA Toner 12 ingredients

Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment 13 ingredients

Water • Propylene Glycol • Propanediol • Polysorbate 20 • Salicylic Acid • Betaine • Panthenol • Phenoxyethanol • Sodium Hydroxide • Caprylyl Glycol • Allantoin • Disodium EDTA

Propylene Glycol • Peg-75 • Peg-8 • Water • Salicylic Acid • Glycerin • Avena Sativa Kernel Extract • Butylene Glycol • Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract • Sea Whip Extract • Arginine • Polysorbate 20 • Disodium EDTA

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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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.

Water

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

Me+ BHA Toner contains this as ingredient number 1.

Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment contains this as ingredient number 4.

Propylene Glycol

What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.

Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.

This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.

Those with sensitive skin or conditions may deliver a rash when using this ingredient.

Learn more about Propylene Glycol

Me+ BHA Toner contains this as ingredient number 2.

Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment contains this as ingredient number 1.

Polysorbate 20

What it does: Emulsifying

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.

As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.

Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.

The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.

Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polysorbate 20

Me+ BHA Toner contains this as ingredient number 4.

Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment contains this as ingredient number 12.

Salicylic Acid

What it does: Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Liked

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

Me+ BHA Toner contains this as ingredient number 5.

Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment contains this as ingredient number 5.

Disodium EDTA

What it does:

Community Rating: Disliked

Disodium 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.