Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant US .
Last updated on December 05, 2023. Published on March 21, 2021
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe . They have a total of 2 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA
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 oils, parabens, silicones 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.
Face Cleanser
Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).
Exfoliator
Exfoliators are used to exfoliate the skin, or remove dead skin cells from the skin. Exfoliators may be chemical or physical.
Price
Ingredient Info
The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser 25 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 8 ingredients
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
Contains EU Allergens
Ingredients in this product that are EU allergens:
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser 25 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 8 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser 25 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 8 ingredients
Propanediol • Glycerin • Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate • Cocamidopropyl Betaine • Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate • Salicylic Acid • Peg-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate • Peg-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides • Betaine • Zinc PCA • Phenoxyethanol • Sodium Chloride • Allantoin • Sodium Hydroxide • Coco-Glucoside • Glyceryl Oleate • Benzyl Alcohol • Coconut Acid • Ethylhexylglycerin • Sodium Benzoate • Citric Acid • Dehydroacetic Acid • Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate • Tocopherol • Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AcidThe INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 6.
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant US contains this as ingredient number 4.
Sodium 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 HydroxideThe INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 14.
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant US contains this as ingredient number 7.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser 25 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 8 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser 25 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 8 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser 25 ingredients
Great option to keep skin clear
Very gentle, lightly foaming cleanser, love the short squeezable bottle with flip top cap, perfect for keeping in the shower. Effective but not stripping on the skin like some other SA cleansers I’ve...
Great option to keep skin clear
Very gentle, lightly foaming cleanser, love the short squeezable bottle with flip top cap, perfect for keeping in the shower. Effective but not stripping on the skin like some other SA cleansers I’ve tried. Free from pore clogging ingredients, this has become one of my all time favorite cleansers. For background, I have dry skin that is also prone to dehydration and is sensitive with a fair amount of surface redness on it so I only use this once per week. It’s not often I can use a foaming cleanser without it drying my skin and leaving it tight and itchy but this one is wonderful.
Good cleanser
Been using this a lot. Didn’t really do much to my skin, but it’s very cheap and a good daily cleanser for acne prone skin.
Good cleanser
Been using this a lot. Didn’t really do much to my skin, but it’s very cheap and a good daily cleanser for acne prone skin.
Texture: watery gel like
Smell: none
Pros:
It's a pretty good product for clearing mild acne. Although you have to keep in mind that it shouldn't be used daily, since it can cause sensitivity. Every other day works best for me. The...
Texture: watery gel like
Smell: none
Pros:
It's a pretty good product for clearing mild acne. Although you have to keep in mind that it shouldn't be used daily, since it can cause sensitivity. Every other day works best for me. The results started around the second month of use. It didn't completely clear my face in the four months I've used it, but it made a tremendous difference.
100% recommend, if your acne isn't too severe.
Cons:
It's too watery and doesn't foam enough, so I end up using a bit much and the bottle lasts me much less time than other alternatives.
Solid 4- 4.5
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 8 ingredients
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.
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.
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.
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser.
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