Pure Choice Pore Tightening Serum Versus Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Pure Choice Pore Tightening Serum versus Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant .

Published on March 23, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain BHA

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, fragrances, 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.

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Pure Choice Pore Tightening Serum

Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant

Serum Turkish Brand Türkiye

Exfoliator American Brand United States

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Exfoliator

Exfoliators are used to exfoliate the skin, or remove dead skin cells from the skin. Exfoliators may be chemical or physical.

Price

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Buy Pore Tightening Serum

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Buy 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

Pure Choice Pore Tightening Serum 33 ingredients

Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant 25 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

Pure Choice Pore Tightening Serum 33 ingredients

Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant 25 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

AHA (2)

BHA

Niacinamide

Hyaluronic Acid (3)

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin (3)

Redness Reducing (2)

Reduces Irritation (2)

Skin Texture (2)

Reduces Large Pores (4)

Anti-Aging (2)

Dark Spots (3)

Scar Healing (5)

Acne Fighting (3)

Brightening (4)

Concerns

Drying (2)

May Worsen Oily Skin

Irritating (4)

Rosacea (4)

Eczema (3)

Notable Ingredients

BHA

Exfoliators

Benefits

Hydrating (2)

Good For Oily Skin

Redness Reducing (2)

Reduces Irritation (2)

Reduces Large Pores (2)

Anti-Aging

Dark Spots

Scar Healing (2)

Acne Fighting (2)

Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying

May Worsen Oily Skin

Acne Trigger

Irritating

Rosacea

Eczema

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Ingredients Compared

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

Pure Choice Pore Tightening Serum 33 ingredients

Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant 25 ingredients

Water • Niacinamide • Zinc PCA • Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract • Salix Alba Bark Water • Pyrus Malus Fruit Water • Arginine • Allantoin • Panthenol • Sodium PCA • Sodium Acetate • Isopropyl Alcohol • Salicylic Acid • Glycolic Acid • Lactic Acid • Avena Sativa Leaf Extract • Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract • Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract • Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract • Yeast Extract • Ammonium Glycyrrhizate • Phenoxyethanol • Hydroxyethylcellulose • Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate • Xanthan Gum • Sodium Hyaluronate • Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer • Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate • Polysorbate 20 • Ethylhexylglycerin • Tetrasodium EDTA • Sodium Benzoate • Potassium Sorbate

Water • Butylene Glycol • Polysorbate 20 • Cetyl Alcohol • Salicylic Acid • Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer • Cyclopentasiloxane • Sorbitan Stearate • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract • Lauric Acid • Allantoin • Glycerin • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract • Avena Sativa Kernel Extract • Epilobium Angustifolium Extract • Dimethicone • Xanthan Gum • Magnesium Aluminum Silicate • Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil • Sodium Hydroxide • Hexylene Glycol • Disodium EDTA • Ethylhexylglycerin • Phenoxyethanol • Caprylyl Glycol

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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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.

Water

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

Pure Choice Pore Tightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 1.

Allantoin

What it does: Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing

Community Rating: Loved

Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.

Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.

Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.

Learn more about Allantoin

Pure Choice Pore Tightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.

Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 11.

Salicylic Acid

What it does: Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Liked

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 Acid

Pure Choice Pore Tightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 13.

Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 5.

Phenoxyethanol

What it does: Preservative

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

Pure Choice Pore Tightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.

Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 24.

Xanthan Gum

What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

Pure Choice Pore Tightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 25.

Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 17.

Polysorbate 20

What it does: Emulsifying

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.

As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.

Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.

The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.

Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polysorbate 20

Pure Choice Pore Tightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 29.

Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 3.

Ethylhexylglycerin

What it does: Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Pure Choice Pore Tightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 30.

Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 23.

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