Paula's Choice
Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
- Category
- Exfoliant
- Size
- 118 ml
- Price
- 36.00 GBP
- Ingredients
- 8
- Concentrations published
- 1 of 8
- Verified
The short answer
Eight ingredients, built around 2% salicylic acid in a methylpropanediol and butylene glycol base. There is almost nothing else in it. That restraint is deliberate: salicylic acid needs a low pH to stay in its active free-acid form, and every extra ingredient is another chance to disturb that.
What is in it?
The full INCI list as published by the manufacturer, with each ingredient's function in this formula. Where a concentration is not published, the table says so rather than estimating it.
| INCI name | Function | Concentration | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water (Aqua/Eau) | Solvent | Not published | |
| Methylpropanediol | Solvent, penetration aid | Not published | |
| Butylene Glycol | Humectant, solvent | Not published | |
| Salicylic Acid | Beta-hydroxy acid — desmolytic exfoliant, comedolytic | 2% | Concentration stated on the label. |
| Polysorbate 20 | Solubiliser | Not published | |
| Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract | Antioxidant, soothing agent | Not published | |
| Sodium Hydroxide | pH adjuster | Not published | Sets the pH that determines how much acid stays free. |
| Tetrasodium EDTA | Chelator | Not published |
Download the full dataset (CSV)
Do the claims hold up?
- “Unclogs and diminishes enlarged pores”
- Well supported. Salicylic acid is lipophilic, reaches the follicle, and has long-standing comedolytic evidence at 0.5–2%.
- “Gentle enough for daily use”
- Depends on the skin, not the formula. Daily 2% BHA is tolerated by some and causes barrier disruption in others; start two or three times a week.
Read the full analysis
Sources
- Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant product page (ingredients, size, price) — Paula's Choice Accessed 15 September 2026.
This is general information about cosmetic formulation, not medical advice. It does not replace a consultation for your own skin.