Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment

Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment
5.0
/ 10
Moisturizing
10.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
Rich Skin Soothing icon
in Skin Soothers
$$$$

Review

Results you may expect from using Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment:

Based on the ingredient analysis by CreamScan, these are the key benefits you can expect from using Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment:

  • Moderate moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.
  • Soothing: Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients, which may help to reduce irritation and calm the skin.

How moisturizing is it?

Quite moisturizing: Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment has a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? It is purely humectant. It has zero occlusivity (we didn't find any occlusive ingredients on the ingredient list) and a maximum humectancy of 10 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Propylene Glycol (est. ≈40.0%), PEG-75 (est. ≈22.0%) and PEG-8 (est. ≈11.0%).Tip: Studies suggest that humectants alone do not moisturize the skin. We recommend applying a product with some occlusive ingredients after the use of this one.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Skin soothing

Based on the ingredient list analysis, Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment is rich (> 5%) in soothing ingredients, particularly Salicylic Acid (est. ≈9.0%) and Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract (est. ≈2.0%).

When applied to the skin, compounds of soothing ingredients, such as triglycerides, phospholipids, fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidants, work together to soothe the skin through various mechanisms: reducing inflammation, promoting wound healing, repairing the skin barrier, and providing antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
40
22
11
9.1
9
3
2
1.5
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
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Ratings

All humectants
77.8
40
22
11
3
1.5
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 77.8 10
10.0
40
22
11
3
1.5
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
None
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
None
All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
40
22
11
3
1.5
0.3
All humectants 77.8 10
10
All humectants
77.8
40
22
11
3
1.5
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
None
Total
0
None
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
2
All antioxidants 2 3 No
All antioxidants
2
Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract
2
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Rating
9
2
1
0.3
All soothing 10 5 Rich in soothing
All soothing
10
9
2
1
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Propylene Glycol
Est. %40
Function
Origin
A clear, thick, odorless liquid of synthetic origin. Its main function is to stabilize cosmetic products exposed to varying temperatures. It is also a moderately strong humectant with similar properties to glycerin.
PEG-75
Est. %22
Function
Origin
Description is coming soon
PEG-8
Est. %11
Function
Origin
A synthetic liquid that serves as a humectant. It also works as a solvent because of its ability to dissolve a wide range of ingredients.
Water
Est. %9.1
Function
Origin
The most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Salicylic Acid
Est. %9
Function
Origin
This effective peeling and anti-inflammatory BHA is used as an anti-acne agent and works by breaking down the junctions between dead skin cells. This results in the peeling of dead skin and the unclogging of pores.
Glycerin
Est. %3
Function
Origin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract
Est. %2
Function
Origin
A beneficial extract obtained from Oat groats popular in products aimed at eczema-prone skin. It contains skin healing beta-glucan, anti-inflammatory phenolic compounds, antioxidant flavonoids, various lipids, proteins, and moisturizing amino acids.
Butylene Glycol
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
A clear, colorless liquid humectant that draws moisture to the skin. The humectancy of butylene glycol, owed to its two hydroxyl groups, is quite considerable, although not as powerful as glycerin, which contains three hydroxyl groups.
Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Est. %1
Function
Origin
A soothing extract derived from punarnava, an Ayurvedic herb. It contains anti-inflammatory and wound healing rotenoids, terpenoids, and organic acids.
Sea Whip Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
An extract derived from soft sea corals called sea fans or sea whips. It allegedly contains some anti-inflammatory terpenoid compounds.
Arginine
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A humectant amino acid used to attract water to the skin’s surface. It is a part of the skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor, a mixture of various compounds that keeps the skin’s surface well hydrated. Arginine can also be used as a pH adjuster.
Polysorbate 20
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A viscous, amber-colored liquid that functions as a solubilizer to disperse small amounts of oil into a large water phase. Polysorbate 20 is frequently used to solubilize fragrance oils into water-based emulsions.
Disodium EDTA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A synthetic chelator that helps to maintain the look and smell of a product by 'locking up' troublesome metal ions.