Murad Acne Body Wash Versus Paula's Choice 2% BHA Body Spot Exfoliant - EU
Updated on August 20, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free . They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, 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, oils 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
Murad Acne Body Wash 43 ingredients
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Body Spot Exfoliant 34 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
Murad Acne Body Wash 43 ingredients
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Body Spot Exfoliant 34 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 1%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Acrylates Copolymer
PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate
Cleansing
Urea
Buffering
Yeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
Humectant
Inositol
Humectant
Taurine
BufferingBetaine
Humectant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Phoenix Dactylifera Seed
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Zinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Chitosan
Propyl Gallate
Antioxidant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydrogen Peroxide
AntimicrobialMenthol
Masking
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Bisulfite
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Propylene Carbonate
SolventBenzoic Acid
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Propanediol
Solvent
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingBenzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantSalicylic Acid 1%, Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Jojoba Esters, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acrylates Copolymer, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Retinyl Palmitate, Phoenix Dactylifera Seed, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Zinc Gluconate, Ascorbic Acid, Chitosan, Propyl Gallate, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydrogen Peroxide, Menthol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Bisulfite, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Carbonate, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Propanediol, Pvp, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Parfum, CI 42090, CI 60730
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
PPG-14 Butyl Ether
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Pvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer
Polyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMethylparaben
Preservative
Butylparaben
Masking
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, PPG-14 Butyl Ether, Salicylic Acid, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethiconol, PEG-40 Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Polysorbate 20, Pvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AcidWater. 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:
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 GlycolThis type of green tea plant is native to China. It is closely related to Camellia sinensis. Both plants have very similar properties.
Camellia Oleifera Leaf is rich in antioxidants. It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateSodium 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 HydroxideDisodium 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 EDTAIngredient Ratings
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