Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Naturium BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2% versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant US .
Last updated on December 05, 2023. Published on November 19, 2020
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe exfoliators. 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, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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.
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
Ingredient Info
Naturium BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2% 18 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 8 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Malassezia Safe
This product is free of malassezia feeding ingredients 🎉
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Naturium BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2% 18 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 8 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Naturium BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2% 18 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 8 ingredients
Water • Butylene Glycol • Propanediol • Salicylic Acid • Sodium Polyacrylate • Citric Acid • Glycerin • Diglycerin • Citrus Glauca Fruit Extract • Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract • Microcitrus Australis Fruit Extract • Hydroxyacetophenone • Carrageenan • Phenoxyethanol • Sodium Phytate • Caprylyl Glycol • Phenylpropanol • Tocopherol
Water • Methylpropanediol • Butylene Glycol • Salicylic Acid • Polysorbate 20 • Camellia Oleifera Leaf • Sodium Hydroxide • Tetrasodium 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
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterNaturium BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2% contains this as ingredient number 1.
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant US contains this as ingredient number 1.
Butylene 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.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.
Naturium BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2% contains this as ingredient number 2.
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant US contains this as ingredient number 3.
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 AcidNaturium BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2% contains this as ingredient number 4.
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant US contains this as ingredient number 4.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Naturium BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2% 18 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 8 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Naturium BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2% 18 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 8 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Naturium BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2% 18 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 8 ingredients
Viral for a REASON
This product is popular for a reason. Back in the day [showing my age] we used to use Noxzema and Stridex for our acne. But those products were so harsh, burned, and didn't produce any results. This product not only...
Viral for a REASON
This product is popular for a reason. Back in the day [showing my age] we used to use Noxzema and Stridex for our acne. But those products were so harsh, burned, and didn't produce any results. This product not only clears pores but is also nourishing [suspect it is the green tea]. After I apply, my skin doesn't feel raw or sensitive. The formulation of this product is FANTASTIC. Truly viral for a reason. It will forever be in my skincare collection.
I have put off on using this product for so long due to the price, but it is worth it. I have tried so many products with salicylic acid and this one is the first to work. It has an oil consistency, but does not feel oily at all.
I have put off on using this product for so long due to the price, but it is worth it. I have tried so many products with salicylic acid and this one is the first to work. It has an oil consistency, but does not feel oily at all.
Holy grail since my late teens
It has been my holy grail since 18. Now at 26, I have switched to retinol and Kiehl's Dark Spot Corrector (Vit C + BHA), hence will be discontinuing. Maaay still keep a small bottle to use when needed.
Holy grail since my late teens
It has been my holy grail since 18. Now at 26, I have switched to retinol and Kiehl's Dark Spot Corrector (Vit C + BHA), hence will be discontinuing. Maaay still keep a small bottle to use when needed.
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 37 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Naturium BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2%.
See 37 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 29 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant US.
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