CLINICAL Triple-Action Dark Spot Eraser 2 BHA Gel

5.0
/ 10

Is it right for me?

Moisturizing

10.0Humectancy0.0Occlusivity

Is it right for me?

Rich

In Antioxidants

Overview

How moisturizing is it? Quite moisturizing. Paula's Choice CLINICAL Triple-Action Dark Spot Eraser 2 BHA Gel has a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Purely humectant. It has a maximum Humectancy of 10.0 out of 10 and zero Occlusivity (we didn't find any occlusives on the ingredient list).
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.

What else is good about it? Paula's Choice CLINICAL Triple-Action Dark Spot Eraser 2 BHA Gel is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are believed to reduce the oxidative stress caused by free radicals, thus preventing accelerated skin aging.

ALCOHOL-FREE
SULFATE-FREE
FRAGRANCE-FREE
NON-COMEDOGENIC
PHTHALATE-FREE
SILICONE-FREE
PARABEN-FREE
ESSENTIAL OIL-FREE
OIL-FREE

Score	Ingredient	Origin	Functions
75	Water	Naturally occurring	Formula Helper
7.5	Ethoxydiglycol	Synthetic	Moisturizing (humectant),Fragrance,Formula Helper
5	Butylene Glycol	Botanical, Petroleum, Synthetic	Moisturizing (humectant),Fragrance,Formula Helper
2	Salicylic Acid	Synthetic	Anti-acne,Exfoliant,Soothing,Anti-seborrheic,Fragrance,Preservative,Formula Helper
2	Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice	Botanical	Moisturizing (humectant),Antioxidant,Soothing,Emollient
2	Hydroquinone		Antioxidant,Anti-pigmentation,Fragrance,Formula Helper
1.5	Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract	Botanical	Antioxidant,Astringent
1.3	Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate	Botanical, Synthetic	Moisturizing (humectant),Soothing,Flavor
1	Glycerin	Botanical, Synthetic, Animal	Moisturizing (humectant),Soothing,Emollient,Fragrance,Formula Helper
0.3	Superoxide Dismutase	Synthetic	Antioxidant,Formula Helper
0.3	Allantoin	Botanical, Synthetic, Animal	Moisturizing (humectant),Exfoliant,Soothing
0.3	Caprylyl Glycol	Botanical, Synthetic	Moisturizing (humectant),Emollient,Preservative

Ingredients explained

Water

Score

Function

Solvent

Origin

Naturally occurring

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.

Ethoxydiglycol

Score

7.5

Function

Moisturizing (humectant), Fragrance, Solvent, Viscosity controlling

Origin

Synthetic

A type of alcohol with humectant moisturizing properties. It also acts as a solvent, since it mixes well with a variety of other compounds, including water and even some oils.

Butylene Glycol

Score

Function

Moisturizing (humectant), Fragrance, Solvent, Viscosity controlling

Origin

Botanical, Petroleum, Synthetic

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.

Salicylic Acid

Score

Function

Anti-acne, Exfoliant, Soothing, Anti-seborrheic, Fragrance, Preservative, Denaturant

Origin

Synthetic

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.

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Score

Function

Moisturizing (humectant), Antioxidant, Soothing, Emollient

Origin

Botanical

A gelatinous juice from Aloe vera leaves that acts as a powerful humectant, emollient, and antioxidant. It contains enzymes, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that soothe irritated skin and have wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties.