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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant US versus Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion .

Last updated on December 05, 2023. Published on November 12, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 2 ingredients in common

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 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
General Moisturizer 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.

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

Price

Shop

Buy Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Starts at $15.60
Shop

Buy Skin Perfecting Lotion

Starts at $39.53

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 Large Pores
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Exfoliators
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (6)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation (3)
Skin Texture (3)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (3)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (4)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (2)
Rosacea
Eczema (2)
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Ingredients Side-by-side

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

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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 Liquid Exfoliant US contains this as ingredient number 1.

Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
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.

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant US contains this as ingredient number 3.

Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion contains this as ingredient number 4.

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

25% are loved or liked
38% have mixed ratings
25% are disliked or very disliked
13% have no rating yet
49% are loved or liked
5% have mixed ratings
35% are disliked or very disliked
12% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 8 ingredients

4.4 /5
from 33 reviews
MichelleR's Avatar'
Nov 26, 2023

Viral for a REASON
This product is popular for a reason. Back in the day [showing my age] we used to use Noxzema and Stridex for our acne. But those products were so harsh, burned, and didn't produce any results. This product not only...

Viral for a REASON
This product is popular for a reason. Back in the day [showing my age] we used to use Noxzema and Stridex for our acne. But those products were so harsh, burned, and didn't produce any results. This product not only clears pores but is also nourishing [suspect it is the green tea]. After I apply, my skin doesn't feel raw or sensitive. The formulation of this product is FANTASTIC. Truly viral for a reason. It will forever be in my skincare collection.

Region: US
lonelydeath's Avatar'
Apr 21, 2024

I have put off on using this product for so long due to the price, but it is worth it. I have tried so many products with salicylic acid and this one is the first to work. It has an oil consistency, but does not feel oily at all.

I have put off on using this product for so long due to the price, but it is worth it. I have tried so many products with salicylic acid and this one is the first to work. It has an oil consistency, but does not feel oily at all.

Expensive
Hydrating
Light
Absorbs Well
No Scent
Works Well
Region: US
MSP's Avatar'
Jun 17, 2023

Holy grail since my late teens
It has been my holy grail since 18. Now at 26, I have switched to retinol and Kiehl's Dark Spot Corrector (Vit C + BHA), hence will be discontinuing. Maaay still keep a small bottle to use when needed.

Holy grail since my late teens
It has been my holy grail since 18. Now at 26, I have switched to retinol and Kiehl's Dark Spot Corrector (Vit C + BHA), hence will be discontinuing. Maaay still keep a small bottle to use when needed.

Region: US

Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion 43 ingredients

Skin Perfecting Lotion hasn't been rated yet.
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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 29 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant US.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 23 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion.

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