Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant Versus Herbivore Blue Wave 2% Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Clearing Serum
Updated on March 20, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free . They have a total of 4 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 and reducing pores
Free From
They both do not contain any 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
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant 13 ingredients
Herbivore Blue Wave 2% Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Clearing Serum 43 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant 13 ingredients
Herbivore Blue Wave 2% Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Clearing Serum 43 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Tanacetum Annuum Flower Oil
Masking
Sodium PCA
HumectantBisabolol
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Diheptyl Succinate
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Betaine
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningJasminum Sambac Flower Extract
Masking
Galactoarabinan
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialSoybean Peroxidase
Antioxidant
Superoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Salicylic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Coco-Glucoside, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Tanacetum Annuum Flower Oil, Sodium PCA, Bisabolol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Diheptyl Succinate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Citric Acid, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Xanthan Gum, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Betaine, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract, Galactoarabinan, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate, Soybean Peroxidase, Superoxide Dismutase, Sodium Hydroxide, Titanium Dioxide, Linalool, Benzyl Alcohol
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterSalicylic 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 AcidBisabolol is famous for its skin soothing properties. It does this by blocking inflammatory signals, helping to reduce your body's reaction to irritation.
This ingredient also interferes with the process of hyperpigmentation. This can help with reducing dark spots and uneven tone.
Bisabolol is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. By fighting these free-radicals, Bisabolol may slow down signs of aging.
Studies have shown Bisabolol to have antimicrobial properties and may be a fungicide. These properties help preserve a product's shelf life.
All these properties makes bisabolol a great skin barrier helper ingredient.
Bisabolol also helps the absorption of other ingredients.
Note: Synthetic Bisabolol has been shown to be less effective.
Learn more about BisabololSodium 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 HydroxideIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant 13 ingredients
Herbivore Blue Wave 2% Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Clearing Serum 43 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant 13 ingredients
Single-handedly cleared up my ever present stubborn blackheads!
I started using this product during the day and layering it under my sunscreen. It wasn't bad for that, but I just find using it at night is much more effective. It is a thick enough consistency that it can go on as the last layer of a night-time routine and act as an overnight mask.
I love the BHA liquid exfoliant and use that during the day now, due to its quick absorption. I am not able to Show more
