Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant .
Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on April 22, 2021
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 2 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing
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 need an update? Let us know.
Toner
Toners are used as a “last-step” cleanser, a pH balancer, add moisture to the skin, or may help in reducing impurities on the skin. They have a liquid consistency and are usually used after cleansers but before treatments.
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 Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 42 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant 13 ingredients
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 🎉
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 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 42 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant 13 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
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 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 2 ingredients 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 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient 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:
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 Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 42 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant 13 ingredients
Water • Glycolic Acid • Rosa Damascena Flower Water • Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water • Propanediol • Glycerin • Triethanolamine • Aminomethyl Propanol • Panax Ginseng Root Extract • Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract • Aspartic Acid • Alanine • Glycine • Serine • Valine • Isoleucine • Proline • Threonine • Histidine • Phenylalanine • Glutamic Acid • Arginine • PCA • Sodium PCA • Sodium Lactate • Fructose • Glucose • Sucrose • Urea • Hexyl Nicotinate • Dextrin • Citric Acid • Polysorbate 20 • Gellan Gum • Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate • Sodium Chloride • Hexylene Glycol • Potassium Sorbate • Sodium Benzoate • 1,2-Hexanediol • 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
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterThe Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 1.
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 1.
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 20The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 34.
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 4.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 42 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant 13 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 42 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant 13 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 42 ingredients
Ive used this for a whileee now.
First on my face, way too harsh so i did body only. I got lots of acne and heard nothing but "an all cure for everything skinwise" lol.
Well it HURTS like a bitch. God it stings.
Absolutely no...
Ive used this for a whileee now.
First on my face, way too harsh so i did body only. I got lots of acne and heard nothing but "an all cure for everything skinwise" lol.
Well it HURTS like a bitch. God it stings.
Absolutely no difference, if anything worse skin issues. Around the buttocks area.
Best thing that couldve happened to me? African Black Soap.
Glycolic acid is an AHA which is great for exfoliation, acne, oil-control, and aging. However, because it's an AHA, there can be drawbacks. It can be drying so only use this if you have normal to oily skin and follow with a moisturizer....
Glycolic acid is an AHA which is great for exfoliation, acne, oil-control, and aging. However, because it's an AHA, there can be drawbacks. It can be drying so only use this if you have normal to oily skin and follow with a moisturizer. AHA's do cause photosensitivity which means your skin is more susceptible to uv radiation. Because of this it's recommended to use any product that has AHA's at night but you can use it during the daytime provided you follow it with a SPF.
it’s a good in exfoliating and applying it 2 times a week followed by a good moisturizer prevents any irritations
it’s a good in exfoliating and applying it 2 times a week followed by a good moisturizer prevents any irritations
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant 13 ingredients
Single-handedly cleared up my ever present stubborn blackheads!
Single-handedly cleared up my ever present stubborn blackheads!
This product layers so well underneath my sunscreen. It gives me the confidence that my acne is being treated during the day. I absolutely love this!
This product layers so well underneath my sunscreen. It gives me the confidence that my acne is being treated during the day. I absolutely love this!
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 31 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution.
See 31 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 4 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant.
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