Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant - US Versus heimish Refresh Water Clean up Peeling Toner
Updated on December 05, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . 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, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin and reducing pores
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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 Liquid Exfoliant 8 ingredients
heimish Refresh Water Clean up Peeling Toner 52 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
heimish Refresh Water Clean up Peeling Toner 52 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventPEG-7 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingXylitol
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil
Masking
Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Octanediol
Ethyl Hexanediol
SolventCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Boswellia Carterii Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Juniperus Mexicana Oil
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Myristica Fragrans Kernel Oil
Masking
Tagetes Minuta Flower Oil
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLupinus Albus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningOriganum Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialThymus Vulgaris Extract
Perfuming
Aesculus Hippocastanum Bark Extract
AstringentAlchemilla Vulgaris Extract
AstringentEchinacea Purpurea Extract
MoisturisingJuniperus Communis Fruit Extract
Perfuming
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSaponaria Officinalis Leaf/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract
MaskingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentTocopherol
Antioxidant
Lavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, PEG-7 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Pentylene Glycol, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Xylitol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Decyl Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Octanediol, Ethyl Hexanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Boswellia Carterii Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Myristica Fragrans Kernel Oil, Tagetes Minuta Flower Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, Origanum Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Bark Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Juniperus Communis Fruit Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf/Root Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract, Salicylic Acid, Maltodextrin, Tocopherol, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract
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 AcidIngredient 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
heimish Refresh Water Clean up Peeling Toner 52 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.
