Explore Routine Login

Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant versus Holy Snails First Snow Essence .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on April 21, 2023

Overview

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, brightening skin, sensitive skin and reducing pores

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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 American Brand United States
Essence Brand

Exfoliator

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

Essence

Essences are used to prep skin for further treatment and may provide extra skin benefits. They are usually used before serum and moisturizers. Essences are thought to have originated in either Japan or Korea and is an essential step in K-Beauty.

Price

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

BHA

Benefits

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

Concerns

Drying
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema

Benefits

Hydrating (5)
Redness Reducing (7)
Reduces Irritation (6)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (4)
Dark Spots
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

Eczema (3)
Join our community

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

Join SkinSort

Ingredients Compared

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

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

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 1.

Holy Snails First Snow Essence contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Phytosphingosine is a phospholipid naturally found in our skin. It helps moisturize, soothe, and protect skin.

Phytosphingosine is already present in our skin. On our skin, it is a building block for ceramides.

Phytosphingosine tells our skin to increase its natural moisturizing factor (NMF). The NMF is responsible for hydration, a strong barrier, and plasticity. Our NMF decreases with age. Increasing NMF leads to more healthy and hydrated skin.

Studies show products formulated with NMF ingredients help strengthen our skin's barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier reduces irritation and increases hydration. Our skin barrier is responsible for having plump and firm skin. It also helps protect our skin against infection, allergies, and inflammation.

Phytosphingosine is also abundant in plants and fungi.

More ingredients that help boost collagen in skin:

Learn more about Phytosphingosine

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 6.

Holy Snails First Snow Essence contains this as ingredient number 20.

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

46% are loved or liked
31% have mixed ratings
15% are disliked or very disliked
8% have no rating yet
45% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
19% are disliked or very disliked
26% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

Loading routine usage...

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant 13 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 2 ratings
No Scent (1) Sticky (1) Works Well (1)
nafi_saa's avatar

nafi_saa

11 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

Single-handedly cleared up my ever present stubborn blackheads!

MichelleR's avatar

MichelleR

5 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

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...

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 use the BHA lotion exfoliant at all, due to my Dimethicone allergy. The gel and liquid products are my GO TO products when i'm battling a break out. I literally wake up with better skin.

< 3

Holy Snails First Snow Essence 42 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 5 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant.

See 5 alternatives

We haven't detected any alternatives for Holy Snails First Snow Essence.

Loading similar comparisons...