Comparison between The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution vs. Paula's Choice SKIN PERFECTING 2 BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Find out which product is better for your skin.

24 Ingredients 8

1
Glycolic Acid
1
Water
2
Water
2
Methylpropanediol
3
Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Water
3
Butylene Glycol
4
Sodium Hydroxide
4
Salicylic Acid
5
Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract
5
Polysorbate-20
6
Propanediol
6
Camellia Oleifera (Tea-Oil Camellia) Leaf Extract
7
Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
7
Sodium Hydroxide
8
Salicylic Acid
8
Tetrasodium EDTA
-- Show others --
Uniqueness20 out of 24
83.3%
Uniqueness4 out of 8
50.0%

Positive Effects

Find out what good effects the product has

ECO Metrics

Find out how eco-friendly the components are
Vegan
No
No
Cruelty free
Yes
Yes
Reef friendly
Yes
Yes
Ozone layer safe
Yes
Yes
Organic score
natural
10 out of 24
42%
chemical
12 out of 24
50%
natural
2 out of 8
25%
chemical
5 out of 8
63%

Concerns

Pay attention to these components
-- Extra information --

Components by Skin Type

Find out what components are good or bad for your skin type
Dry skin
Positive: 3Negative: 0
Panthenol#12Glycerin#151,2-Hexanediol#23
Oily skin
Positive: 2Negative: 0
Glycolic Acid#1Salicylic Acid#8
Sensitive skin
Positive: 0Negative: 5
Glycolic Acid#1Salicylic Acid#8Lactic Acid#9Tartaric Acid#10Citric Acid#11
Dry skin
Positive: 1Negative: 0
Butylene Glycol#3
Oily skin
Positive: 1Negative: 0
Salicylic Acid#4
Sensitive skin
Positive: 0Negative: 1
Salicylic Acid#4

Detailed view

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution vs. Paula's Choice SKIN PERFECTING 2 BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Position 1

#1Glycolic Acid

Origin: natural
Role: Buffering agent, Exfoliant
Cleansing
Exfoliating
Anti-aging
Lightening
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ B ]
Good for oily skin
Good for oily skin

Glycolic Acid is the most researched AHA with proven efficiency and it’s a super powerful component. It’s a great exfoliator, meaning it helps to remove dead skin cells preventing bacterial growth, and make your skin look fresh and smooth. It helps to remove dark spots and areas, making skin tone even. But the most serious reason for using this component is that it helps to produce collagen, which is very important for keeping your skin healthy. This is what makes Glycolic Acid so special. Pay attention, that using any AHA makes your skin more UV sensitive. It’s very important to use good sunscreen after applying AHA.

It's an exfoliator, meaning it increases UV sensitivity of your skin. That's why it's very important to use sunscreen after it.
-- versus --

#1Water

Origin: natural
Role: Solvent
EWG Rating [ 1 ]

Water is a great solvent. It’s neutral and doesn’t provide any strong positive or negative effects. It just helps components to mix better and to transport active components.

Position 2

#2Water

Origin: natural
Role: Solvent
EWG Rating [ 1 ]

Water is a great solvent. It’s neutral and doesn’t provide any strong positive or negative effects. It just helps components to mix better and to transport active components.

-- versus --

#2Methylpropanediol

Origin: No information
Role: Solvent
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
Position 3

#3Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Water

Origin: No information
Role: Fragrance ingredient, Masking
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
-- versus --

#3Butylene Glycol

Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Fragrance ingredient, Humectant, Masking, Solvent, Viscosity controlling agent
Moisturizing
Softening
Hair protection
Comedogenic rating [ 1 ]
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]
Good for dry skin
Good for dry skin

Butylene Glycol is a very popular synthetic alcohol. It helps the product to absorb deeper and faster. It is also a solvent for other ingredients. As for the skin benefits, it helps to attract water and helps to make the skin softer.

Unlike many other “Glycols”, it is not harmful and that's why it is used in many products. It was approved by US FDA and US EPA for usage.

Position 4

#4Sodium Hydroxide

Origin: chemical
Role: Buffering agent
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ B ]

Sodium Hydroxide is used mostly for formulation purposes. It helps to hold the pH level of a product. It also works as a chemical exfoliator that removes dead cells. Usually concentration of this component is low in skin care products and it’s used mostly for adjusting pH.

-- versus --

#4Salicylic Acid

Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Antiacne agent, Antidandruff agent, Exfoliant, Fragrance ingredient, Hair conditioning, Keratolytic, Masking, Preservative
Cleansing
Acne fighting
Soothing
Antiseptic
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ B ]
Good for oily skin
Good for oily skin

Salicylic Acid is an amazing component for oily skin. It’s a famous BHA that chemically exfoliates dead cells, kills bacteria, and prevents acne. It works as a strong pores cleanser. AHAs are not effective for removing sebum from pores, while BHAs are leaders in this space. Salicylic Acid also helps to shrink pores, remove acne scars and make skin tone even. Pay attention: concentration matters! This ingredient is rather aggressive. It can lead to irritation in high concentrations. If your skin has never seen this component before test the product first.

Position 5

#5Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract

Origin: natural
Role: Fragrance ingredient
Antioxidants
Moisturizing
Anti-aging
Elasticity improvement
Rejuvenation
Antiseptic
Tones up skin
Regeneration
Hair structure improvement
Hair protection
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
-- versus --

#5Polysorbate-20

Origin: chemical
Role: Emulsifying agent, Fragrance ingredient, Surfactant
Nutrifying
Malassezia unsafe
EWG Rating [ 3 ]
CIR Rating [ B ]

Polysorbate 20 doesn’t have any notable skin benefits but is used in cosmetics quite often. Manufacturers use it for formulation purposes. It improves the scent, texture, and feel of the product.

Skin Signal
2023 - 2024

The most advanced ingredient checker and cosmetics analyzer. Take a look "inside" the skincare products you use every day.

Disclaimer: All the information on the website is not a medical advice. Visit a doctor if you have problems.

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