Explore Routine Login

Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Oceane AHA + BHA Liquid Exfoliant versus Paula's Choice CLEAR Extra Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution With 2% BHA .

Published on June 19, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe exfoliators. They have a total of 6 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 Brazilian Brand Brazil
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

Shop

Buy AHA + BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Shop

Buy CLEAR Extra Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution With 2% BHA

Starts at $34.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant 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

Notable Ingredients

AHA
BHA

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores (3)
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

BHA

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin
Reduces Large Pores
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema
Join our community

Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.

Join SkinSort

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

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

Loading ingredients...

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
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

Oceane AHA + BHA Liquid Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 1.

Paula's Choice CLEAR Extra Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution With 2% BHA contains this as ingredient number 2.

2
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Methylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.

As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.

Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.

Learn more about Methylpropanediol

Oceane AHA + BHA Liquid Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 2.

Paula's Choice CLEAR Extra Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution With 2% BHA contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

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.

Oceane AHA + BHA Liquid Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 3.

Paula's Choice CLEAR Extra Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution With 2% BHA contains this as ingredient number 4.

4
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

Oceane AHA + BHA Liquid Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 5.

Paula's Choice CLEAR Extra Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution With 2% BHA contains this as ingredient number 1.

5
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium 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 Hydroxide

Oceane AHA + BHA Liquid Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 6.

Paula's Choice CLEAR Extra Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution With 2% BHA contains this as ingredient number 8.

6
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

Oceane AHA + BHA Liquid Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 8.

Paula's Choice CLEAR Extra Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution With 2% BHA contains this as ingredient number 6.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

33% are loved or liked
25% have mixed ratings
42% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
38% are loved or liked
38% have mixed ratings
25% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Oceane AHA + BHA Liquid Exfoliant 12 ingredients

AHA + BHA Liquid Exfoliant hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Paula's Choice CLEAR Extra Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution With 2% BHA 8 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 1 review
52_pm's Avatar'
Dec 5, 2023

expensive, watery non-oily easy application

expensive, watery non-oily easy application

Expensive
Light
Absorbs Well

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Oceane AHA + BHA Liquid Exfoliant.

See 50 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice CLEAR Extra Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution With 2% BHA.

See 50 alternatives
Loading similar comparisons...