Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant - US Versus Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Kit
Updated on August 12, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe . They have a total of 5 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, oily skin and reducing pores
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens 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 Liquid Exfoliant 8 ingredients
Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Kit 69 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 Liquid Exfoliant 8 ingredients
Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Kit 69 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingAcrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Oleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingSpiraea Ulmaria Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Porphyra Umbilicalis Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Linalool
Perfuming
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLimonene
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
PPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningTerpineol
Masking
Thymol
AntimicrobialChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
EmollientPullulan
Propanediol
SolventTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer
Cleansing
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Leaf Oil
Masking
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
Masking
Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract
AstringentCinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Oil
Masking
Maclura Cochinchinensis Leaf Prenylflavonoids
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingHaslea Ostrearia Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingTanacetum Annuum Flower Oil
Masking
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Salicylic Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Oleanolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Porphyra Umbilicalis Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Linalool, Sodium Hydroxide, Limonene, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Glycerin, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Terpineol, Thymol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Lecithin, Pullulan, Propanediol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Silica, Sodium Citrate, Carbomer, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Leaf Oil, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Oil, Maclura Cochinchinensis Leaf Prenylflavonoids, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Haslea Ostrearia Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Tanacetum Annuum Flower Oil, Sodium Chloride
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 WaterButylene 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.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
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 AcidPolysorbate 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 20Sodium 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 Liquid Exfoliant 8 ingredients
Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Kit 69 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 8 ingredients
The first night I used Paula’s choice exfoliant just once, it cleaned up my skin scraping it whole, I was left GLOWING but it felt kind of tight like I had been using corsx salicylic acid for 3 days straight, it takes some getting used to, to the extent that the instructions literally say to start off once a week and slowly build your usage up overtime, it’s really strong but does the job well. Show more
Blackheads? Gone. Dry flakes? Gone. Nose? Smooth. Clogged pores who? My skin tends to be sensitive at times but it could easily handle this product.
