Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant - US Versus Some By Mi AHA, BHA, PHA, Calming Truecica Micellar Cleansing Water
Updated on December 05, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both 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, common allergens, fragrances, 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
Some By Mi AHA, BHA, PHA, Calming Truecica Micellar Cleansing Water 64 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
Some By Mi AHA, BHA, PHA, Calming Truecica Micellar Cleansing Water 64 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water 20%
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
C12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingBetaine
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Tromethamine
BufferingGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sea Water
HumectantLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
MaskingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Glucose
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingOriganum Majorana Leaf Extract
AntiseborrhoeicOcimum Basilicum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Artemisia Capillaris Extract
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Glycine
Buffering
Serine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantAspartic Acid
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingValine
MaskingThreonine
Proline
Skin ConditioningIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantMethionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
Antioxidant
Water, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water 20%, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, C12-14 Pareth-12, Betaine, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Allantoin, Decyl Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Tromethamine, Gluconolactone, Citric Acid, Sea Water, Lactobacillus Ferment, Glyceryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Panthenol, Asiaticoside, Glucose, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Ceramide NP, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Origanum Majorana Leaf Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Madecassoside, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Valine, Threonine, Proline, Isoleucine, Histidine, Methionine, Cysteine
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
Some By Mi AHA, BHA, PHA, Calming Truecica Micellar Cleansing Water 64 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.
