Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant - EU Versus The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Serum
Updated on May 03, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe . They have a total of 4 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, oils, 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 9 ingredients
The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Serum 13 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 9 ingredients
The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Serum 13 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
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 WaterSalicylic 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 AcidSodium 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 HydroxidePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Ingredient 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 9 ingredients
The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Serum 13 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 9 ingredients
i bought this for my very visibly clogged pores in my nose and i honestly cant say i liked it it kind of has an oily feeling on the skin and it just didnt do the job - thoigh i have to say i might have over-used it i used it every second night after obly havibg used it for a few weeks and it may have triggered my acne/closed comedones (but not sure if it was this product or the sunscreen i was Show more
I love this, a big favourite and Holy Grail of mine since somewhere between 2016-2018! I used to use it every day, now I only use it 1-2 a week and that is usually enough!
Lately though I’ve usually been switching it up with other salicylic acid toners (because of the price of this) and most I’ve tried have worked fine, or even very well, even though this is the best! But it’s not such a big Show more
The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Serum 13 ingredients
Game changer. This stuff is amazing for fungal acne, other BHA acids were too harsh for my sensitive skin and didn’t improve any of my concerns, but this stuff is strong and non irritating. Didn't give me any new breakouts just surfaced all of my pre-existing acne. Turned all my FA into white heads in a matter of weeks. This with the ordinary 5% lactic acid serum is completely reviving the texture Show more
Very good for acne
Saw an immediate overnight change in my inflammation overnight after using for the first time, haven't had any inflammatory whiteheads since I finished purging (which lasted 2 weeks) and my skin is slightly less oily. However it did nothing really for my sebaceous filaments.
