TheSkinlist BHA Acne Intense Care 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 TheSkinlist BHA Acne Intense Care Serum versus Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant .

Last updated on September 12, 2023. Published on February 02, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 8 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain BHA

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances or parabens

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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TheSkinlist BHA Acne Intense Care Serum

Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant

Serum Thai Brand Thailand

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

Ingredient Info

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

TheSkinlist BHA Acne Intense Care Serum 25 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

TheSkinlist BHA Acne Intense Care Serum 25 ingredients

Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant 25 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

BHA

Niacinamide

Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin (2)

Redness Reducing

Reduces Irritation

Reduces Large Pores (2)

Dark Spots (2)

Scar Healing (2)

Acne Fighting (3)

Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying

Irritating

Rosacea

Eczema (2)

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.

TheSkinlist BHA Acne Intense Care Serum 25 ingredients

Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant 25 ingredients

Water • Niacinamide • Peg-8 • Butylene Glycol • Carnitine • Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide • Salicylic Acid • Panthenol • Dimethyl Isosorbide • Polysorbate 20 • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract • Zinc PCA • Phenoxyethanol • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder • Isostearamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate • Sodium Metabisulfite • Cyclodextrin • Epigallocatechin Gallate • Sodium Hyaluronate • Ethylhexylglycerin • Disodium EDTA • Propylene Glycol • Centella Asiatica Extract • Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract • Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract

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.

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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

TheSkinlist BHA Acne Intense Care Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

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

Butylene Glycol

What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Community Rating: Mixed

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

It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

TheSkinlist BHA Acne Intense Care Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.

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

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

TheSkinlist BHA Acne Intense Care Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.

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

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

TheSkinlist BHA Acne Intense Care Serum contains this as ingredient number 10.

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

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

What it does: Bleaching, Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing, Soothing

Community Rating: Liked

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.

One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.

Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.

Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.

Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.

Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

TheSkinlist BHA Acne Intense Care Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.

Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 13.

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.

TheSkinlist BHA Acne Intense Care Serum contains this as ingredient number 13.

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

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.

TheSkinlist BHA Acne Intense Care Serum contains this as ingredient number 20.

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

Disodium EDTA

What it does:

Community Rating: Disliked

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA

TheSkinlist BHA Acne Intense Care Serum contains this as ingredient number 21.

Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant contains this as ingredient number 22.

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