Which Paula's Choice BHA is Best for Me?

In this article:
How to choose the best BHA exfoliant for your face
BHA for all skin types
BHA for oily skin
BHA for combination skin
BHA for dry skin
BHA for sensitive skin
BHA for anti-ageing and wrinkles
BHA for blackheads and blemish-prone skin
BHA spot treatment
BHA exfoliants for your body
Is BHA enough for exfoliation?
What percentage of BHA is effective?

Paula’s Choice Skincare is known worldwide for our extensive selection of gentle, leave-on chemical exfoliants, a fact we’re very proud of. Our 2% BHA Liquid is our top-selling product globally, but we’ve developed more than a dozen BHA exfoliants, each with its own unique characteristics.

For the uninitiated, BHA is the abbreviation for beta hydroxy acid, which appears as salicylic acid on an ingredient list. BHA provides stunning benefits, particularly for oily skin prone to blemishes and clogged pores, but other skin types can also experience remarkable benefits. Use this guide to find your optimal BHA exfoliant.

How to choose the best BHA exfoliant for your face

Everyone’s skin is different, which is why Paula’s Choice BHA exfoliants come in a range of textures and strengths. We’ve broken down different skin types and skin concerns to help guide you to the best fit.

BHA for all skin types

Not sure what your skin type is or where to start? The SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is our worldwide best-seller. This all-skin-types exfoliating toner formula dramatically improves uneven skin tone, texture, dehydrated skin, and clogged pores. It contains an ingredient that not only hydrates for instant radiance, but also helps the BHA absorb deeper and work faster.

BHA for oily skin

Not surprisingly, SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is also the fan favourite among those with oily skin. The liquid exfoliating toner formula penetrates deep to help clear out excess oil, prevent imperfections, smooth bumps, and reduce pore size.

BHA for combination skin

The ideal BHA for combination skin, our SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant offers a hydrating, oil-free gel consistency that clears clogged pores and refines skin.

BHA for dry skin

For dry skin, the SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant is the perfect option thanks to its lightweight, silky texture. The moisturising formula keeps skin hydrated while the BHA takes care of rough texture, dullness, bumps, and clogged pores.

BHA for sensitive skin

CALM 1% BHA Sensitive Exfoliant is our most soothing BHA formula, best for calming redness and other signs of sensitivity. This lightweight cream-gel is packed with soothing ingredients, including allantoin. It’s ideal for extra-sensitive skin prone to redness and is even suitable for those with rosacea-prone skin.

BHA for anti-ageing and wrinkles

When it comes to BHA formulations best suited for addressing the signs of ageing, you’ve got options.

SKIN PERFECTING 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel is a rinse-off treatment you can use weekly as a supplement to your regular BHA exfoliant. Its 2% concentration of BHA is joined by a potent blend of AHAs and plant-based soothing agents for peel-like results in 10 minutes.

RESIST Daily Pore-Refining Treatment 2% BHA is a water-light liquid exfoliant that delivers advanced anti-ageing benefits. Supporting antioxidants combine with skin-replenishing and skin-restoring ingredients to target dullness and the look of wrinkles as well as clogged pores and bumps. It’s perfect for those struggling with signs of ageing and enlarged pores.

RESIST Advanced Pore-Refining Treatment 4% BHA is a powerful-yet-gentle formula that’s rich in antioxidants. This luxe serum exfoliant perfectly addresses persistent congested pores along with advanced signs of ageing, including deep wrinkles and loss of firmness.

BHA for blackheads and blemish-prone skin

When it comes to BHA for blackheads and blemish-prone skin, the use of salicylic acid is considered a gold standard blemish treatment (5,6). Because the severity of blemish-prone skin varies from person to person, we offer regular and extra strength formulas.

CLEAR Regular Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution 2% Salicylic Acid is our ultra-light liquid exfoliant specifically formulated for mild to moderate blemishes. It’s formulated at a slightly higher pH than the Extra Strength version below. This allows it to provide gentler exfoliation via its thinner, more water-like texture. The soothing formula contains licorice and allantoin to quickly calm blemish-related redness experienced by all skin types.

CLEAR Extra Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution 2% Salicylic Acid is designed for moderate to stubborn blemishes and blackheads. It’s effective for deeply clearing pores and smoothing skin texture. This product is spiked with a hefty dose of antioxidant green tea, which helps soothe redness.

BHA spot treatment

BHA 9 Treatment is our most potent BHA solution (suitable for all skin types as a spot treatment). This 9% concentration of salicylic acid has a serum-like texture and is remarkably effective as a targeted spot solution for stubborn bumps and other imperfections. Soothing oat and sea whip extract allow the formula to work without causing dryness or irritation. It is also suitable for those with milia.

BHA exfoliants for your body

BHA offers the same incredible benefits for the body as well, especially for minimising bumps and smoothing rough skin.

The Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA is a silky, lightweight body hydrator that improves the appearance of raised red bumps and hard, clogged pores on arms and legs. A favourite of those with “chicken skin”” (keratosis pilaris, or KP), its non-greasy formula works for all skin types and layers beautifully with a regular body moisturiser, if needed.

CLEAR Exfoliating Body Spray is a water light, quick-drying, spray-on formula to treat blemishes and blackheads on the body (including bacne). It sprays from any direction, so it’s easy to apply to those hard-to-reach areas. Soothing plant-based ingredients calm redness without making skin feel coated, dry, or slippery.

As is true for all Paula’s Choice Skincare products, all of our BHA formulations are free of fragrance and sensitising ingredients like denatured alcohol, essential oils, witch hazel, menthol, or peppermint.

Is BHA enough for exfoliation?

If you’re looking for an all-encompassing exfoliant, BHA is it. BHA stands out for its ability to exfoliate inside the pore—something other exfoliants (including abrasive scrubs) cannot do (1). It also exfoliates the surface of skin to help diminish the visible signs of photodamage, including the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as dull, uneven skin tone, while simultaneously smoothing rough, bumpy skin texture (2,3).

What percentage of BHA is effective?

2% BHA is effective for regular, daily, at-home use, but you can experiment with higher and lower strengths to discover what works best for your skin (4). If you have more stubbornly clogged pores or advanced signs of ageing, you may find a higher percentage is your skin’s sweet spot for getting more dramatic results. If you have extra sensitive skin, starting with a lower 1% concentration of BHA is advised.

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References for this information:
1. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2003, pages 135-142
2. Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology, November 2010, pages 135-142
3. Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology, August 2015, pages 455-461
4. University of Maryland Baltimore: Salicylic Acid Summary Report, January 2021, pages 1-63
5. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review, April 2019, pages 1-60
6. Clinical Therapeutics, March-April 1992, 247-253