Head to head
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant vs The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution vs Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant.
The bottom linePaula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant and The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution land in much the same place on performance, so value decides it: The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution does the same job for less.
The receiptBoth lead with Salicylic acid (BHA). The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution is budget (under €12), Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is premium (over €25).
Paula's ChoiceSkin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid ExfoliantSee every ingredient in Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, decoded
Which should you pick?
Pick Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant if
- plump, lasting hydration is what you want
Pick Salicylic Acid 2% Solution if
- you want the more affordable option
What each delivers
Side by side
| Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant | Salicylic Acid 2% Solution | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Exfoliant | Exfoliant |
| Key actives | Salicylic acid (BHA) | Salicylic acid (BHA) 2% |
| Texture | A middleweight lotion, enough to comfort without feeling heavy. | A middleweight lotion, enough to comfort without feeling heavy. |
| Fragrance | None detected | None detected |
| Fungal-acne safe | Not likely | Not likely |
| Pregnancy | No flagged actives | No flagged actives |
| Ingredients | 8 listed | 11 listed |
| Price | ~€35 | ~€7 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Nothing the other doesn't also have.
Both share
Only in Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
Nothing the other doesn't also have.
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Breakouts & congestionEither works
- Dryness & dehydrationSkin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution is the cheaper of the two (~€7 vs ~€35).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant or The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution better for dryness & dehydration?
For dryness & dehydration, Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant and The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution land in much the same place on performance, so value decides it: The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution does the same job for less.
Which is cheaper, Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant or The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution?
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution is the cheaper of the two (~€7 vs ~€35).
Can I use Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant and The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution together?
They are both exfoliants, so you would normally pick one rather than layer both in the same step. You can keep both and alternate them (morning and night, or on different days) if you like variety, but you do not need two.
Compare it with…
All 6 comparisons
- Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant vs The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
- Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant vs The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
- Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant vs The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA
- Salicylic Acid 2% Solution vs The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
- Salicylic Acid 2% Solution vs The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
- Salicylic Acid 2% Solution vs The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA