Paula’s Choice Exfoliant is one of the most popular facial exfoliators on the market. The brand describes it as their "iconic global best-seller," and claims that it "sheds built-up layers of skin."
But does Paula’s Choice Exfoliant contain research-backed ingredients for exfoliating skin? Does it contain any unhealthy ingredients? Is the BHA or AHA version healthier? And is Paula's Choice Exfoliant better or worse than popular exfoliants like Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator?
In this article we’ll answer all of these questions and more, as we analyze the ingredients in Paula’s Choice Exfoliant to give our take on whether or not the product is likely to be effective, and whether or not it's healthy.
We'll also compare the two versions to give our take on which is healthier, and compare Paula's Choice Exfoliant to other popular exfoliators to pick our winners (and losers).
Key takeaways:
- Research-backed active ingredients for exfoliation
- No unhealthy additives
- We currently recommend Paula's Choice Exfoliant
Ingredient Analysis
The ingredients in Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant are shown below:
Salicylic acid, also known as BHA, is the active ingredient with exfoliating properties.
A medical review on salicylic acid published in the Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology journal explains that this ingredient has been used to treat skin disorders for over 2,000 years, and that it’s an effective exfoliator.
Camellia oleifera, also known as tea tree oil, can be effective in the treatment of acne, as we documented in our Amarose reviews article.
Sodium hydroxide is another effective exfoliator, according to a 2013 medical review.
The remaining ingredients in this formulation are fillers, emulsifiers and other inactive ingredients which should be safe and non-toxic.
Overall, we consider Paula’s Choice Exfoliant likely to be effective as an exfoliator based on its active ingredients, and we consider it to have a healthy formulation without questionable additives.
Does it Cause Side Effects?
Paula’s Choice Exfoliant doesn’t appear to have been studied in any clinical trials published in peer-reviewed journals, which makes it challenging to say for certain whether or not it’s likely to cause side effects.
However, we can make an educated guess based on its ingredients and product category.
According to a 2014 medical review, one rare side effect of salicylic acid use on skin is systemic toxicity.
This is highly unlikely in healthy adults, but it may be worth speaking to a dermatologist about for immune-compromised individuals.
The medical review cited in the Ingredient Analysis section of this article documented more common side effects of salicylic acid use:
Dryness was reported 32.3% of the time, and “intense exfoliation and crusting” was reported around 15% of the time. However, this cleared in 7-10 days.
We do not believe that Paula’s Choice Exfoliant is likely to cause side effects in the majority of users; it’s a safe and non-toxic formulation.
But individuals with very sensitive skin or immune system issues may benefit from speaking with a dermatologist before using it.
Are the AHA Versions Better?
Paula's Choice also sells other exfoliants with alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), such as 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant.
Its ingredients are shown below:
AHA includes compounds that have "demonstrated significant efficacy in skin rejuvenation," as described in a 2024 medical review.
Aloe barbadenisis leaf juice extract has a number of positive dermatological effects, including anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and even wound healing effects, according to a meta-study published in an Italian dermatology journal.
Phenoxyethanol is a synthetic preservative which is clinically shown to be toxic to human cells (at least in a test tube study), as we documented in our review of Sun Coast Sciences Total Package Serum.
We currently recommend Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant over the AHA version because the former is phenoxyethanol-free.
Paula's Choice vs. Popular Exfoliants
Here's how Paula's Choice compares to other popular exfoliants in terms of potential effectiveness and healthiness, in our opinion:
Clinique Exfoliating Scrub
Active ingredient is salicylic acid, which is clinically shown to be an effective skin exfoliator, and also to potentially heal acne and skin damage according to the linked review.
Contains multiple synthetic preservatives we consider to be unhealthy, so Paula's Choice gets the win from a healthiness perspective.
Winner: Paula's Choice Exfoliant
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant contains an active ingredient which is clinically shown to damage skin and be pro-inflammatory.
We consider Paula's Choice more likely to be effective, and to also be the healthier option.
Winner: Paula's Choice Exfoliant
ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Scrub
Contains unhealthy ingredients like fragrance and synthetic dye.
Winner: Paula's Choice Exfoliant
Our Clean Skincare Pick
MindBodyGreen Best Skin+ is our top anti-aging skin supplement.
It contains orange extract which is clinically shown to increase skin moisturization, skin elasticity and skin radiance.
This supplement also contains astaxanthin which is clinically shown to cause "wrinkle formation reduction."
This supplement is free of ingredients that we consider to be unhealthy.
Paula’s Choice Exfoliant Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Effective formulation
- Should physically exfoliate skin
- Highly affordable
- No harmful ingredients
- Favorable Amazon reviews
Cons:
- AHA version contains phenoxyethanol
- Doesn't appear to be clinically tested in peer-reviewed journal
- Exfoliating ingredient may be harsh on sensitive skin
