Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant vs The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
Both exfoliants contain Salicylic Acid, but each adds something the other doesn't. Here's where they overlap and where they split.
The reference-standard 2% salicylic acid exfoliant — formulated at the pH range where BHA actually works (3.2–4.0), with green tea for antioxidant support. Unclogs pores, softens blackheads and smooths texture. The reason so many other BHA products are compared to this one.
A 10-minute weekly peel at professional strength — glycolic, lactic, tartaric, citric and salicylic acids stacked together. Not a daily product; once or twice a week maximum, never on broken or actively irritated skin. The red colour is tasmannia fruit, not blood.
Which should you choose?
Both contain Salicylic Acid. The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution adds Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid. Pick the one whose extra matches what you're treating. Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is the better fit for acne and oiliness; The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution for dullness and dark spots. On price, The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is the less expensive option (Budget versus Premium).
What they share
This hero active appears in both formulas:
Ingredient stacks, side by side
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant — top of the list
- Water~50–80%
- Methylpropaned…~5–25%
- Butylene Glycol~3–10%
- Polysorbate 20~1.5–4%
- Camellia Oleif…~1–2%
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution — top of the list
- Aqua (Water)~50–80%
- Glycolic Acid30%
- Aloe Barbadens…~3–10%
● marks ingredients that appear near the top of both lists. Percentages are positional estimates from INCI order, not disclosed doses.
The specs
| Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant | The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Exfoliant | Exfoliant |
| Price tier | Premium | Budget |
| Best for | Acne, Rough Texture, Oiliness | Rough Texture, Dullness, Dark Spots |
| Usage notes | Evening only | Evening only |
| Shared hero actives | Salicylic Acid | |
Common questions
Is the Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant or The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution better?
What's the difference between the Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant and The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution?
Are the Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant and The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution dupes for each other?
Can I use the Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant and The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution together?
Related comparisons
Want a deeper, personalised read? Drop both products into the live comparison tool for an ingredient-by-ingredient breakdown tuned to your skin profile.
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