Versus

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant - US Versus Some By Mi AHA, BHA, PHA, Calming Truecica Micellar Cleansing Water

Exfoliator
Face Cleanser
American Brand United States
Korean Brand South Korea

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

What's inside

What's inside

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
AHA, BHA, PHA, Calming Truecica Micellar Cleansing Water

Water

Skin Conditioning

Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water 20%

Antimicrobial
Good for Oily Skin Icon

Propanediol

Solvent
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Niacinamide

Smoothing
Niacinamide IconGood for Oily Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin Icon

C12-14 Pareth-12

Emulsifying

Betaine

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate

Emulsifying

Allantoin

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Decyl Glucoside

Cleansing

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Humectant
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil

Masking
Oil Icon

Disodium EDTA

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Salix Alba Bark Extract

Astringent
Good for Oily Skin IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Hyaluronic Acid

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Capryloyl Salicylic Acid

Exfoliating
Exfoliant IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Dark Spots IconHelps fight Acne Icon

Salicylic Acid

Masking
BHA IconPreservative IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Tromethamine

Buffering

Gluconolactone

Skin Conditioning
PHA IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Sea Water

Humectant

Lactobacillus Ferment

Skin Conditioning

Glyceryl Glucoside

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Dipropylene Glycol

Humectant

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Emulsifying
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Panthenol

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Asiaticoside

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Glucose

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Cetearyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 1 Fatty Alcohol IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sorbitan Stearate

Emulsifying
0 / 1 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glyceryl Stearate

Emollient
1 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Madecassic Acid

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Asiatic Acid

Skin Conditioning

Ceramide NP

Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract

Cleansing

Origanum Majorana Leaf Extract

Antiseborrhoeic

Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Portulaca Oleracea Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Centella Asiatica Extract

Cleansing
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Artemisia Capillaris Extract

Madecassoside

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Glycine

Buffering
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Serine

Masking
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Glutamic Acid

Humectant
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Aspartic Acid

Masking
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Leucine

Skin Conditioning

Alanine

Masking

Lysine

Skin Conditioning

Arginine

Masking
Good for Scar Healing IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Tyrosine

Masking

Phenylalanine

Masking
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Valine

Masking

Threonine

Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Proline

Skin Conditioning

Isoleucine

Skin Conditioning

Histidine

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Methionine

Skin Conditioning

Cysteine

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.

Learn more about Butylene Glycol
Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning

Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.

Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.

Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.

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 this ingredient into your routine.

While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.

If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.

Learn more about Salicylic Acid
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water

When to use

6,440 Routines
25% use in am
75% use in pm
63% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
32 Routines
28% use in am
72% use in pm
88% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

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3.10
Overall rating
5
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3
2
1
What people say
Expensive 45% Works Well 39% Drying 22%
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