Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
5.0
/ 10
Moisturizing
10.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity

Review

Results you may expect from using Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant:

Based on the ingredient analysis by CreamScan, these are the key benefits you can expect from using Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant:

  • Moderate moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.

How moisturizing is it?

Quite moisturizing: Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 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, due to the high content of Methylpropanediol (est. ≈7.5%) and Butylene Glycol (est. ≈5.0%).

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.

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
80
Water
7.5
Methylpropanediol
5
Butylene Glycol
2
Salicylic Acid
1.9
Polysorbate 20
1.8
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
1.5
Sodium Hydroxide
0.3
Tetrasodium EDTA
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Methylpropanediol
Function:
Origin:
Butylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Salicylic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Polysorbate 20
Function:
Origin:
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hydroxide
Function:
Origin:
Tetrasodium EDTA
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
12.5
7.5
5
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 12.5 10
10.0
7.5
5
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
None
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
7.5
5
All humectants 12.5 10
10
All humectants
12.5
7.5
5
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
None
All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
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
1.8
All antioxidants 1.8 3 No
All antioxidants
1.8
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
1.8
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
2
1.8
All soothing 3.8 5 No
All soothing
3.8
2
1.8
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %80
Function
Origin
WaterThe 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.
Methylpropanediol
Est. %7.5
Function
Origin
MethylpropanediolMethylpropanediol is a unique glycol that contains two primary hydroxyl groups. That makes methylpropanediol a powerful humectant and an excellent solvent.
Butylene Glycol
Est. %5
Function
Origin
Butylene GlycolA 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
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Salicylic AcidThis 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.
Polysorbate 20
Est. %1.9
Function
Origin
Polysorbate 20A 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.
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
Est. %1.8
Function
Origin
Camellia Oleifera Leaf ExtractAn emollient extract derived from the leaves of the Tea-oil Camellia, which is native to Southeast Asia. It contains astringent and wound-healing tannins that create a tightening feeling on the skin and can speed up the healing process of small cuts.
Sodium Hydroxide
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Sodium Hydroxide

An ingredient that is able to bring the pH of a product up, thereby making it less harsh on the skin.

Tetrasodium EDTA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Tetrasodium EDTAOne of the most common synthetic chelators. It can reduce the 'hardness' of water and so is often used in rinse-off products.