Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel vs The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
Both exfoliants contain Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid, but each adds something the other doesn't. Here's where they overlap and where they split.
A high-strength weekly at-home peel combining 25% AHA and 2% BHA with soothing extracts. Strong resurfacing for experienced acid users; a once-weekly treatment only, with strict SPF the next day.
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 Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid. The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution adds Lactic Acid. Pick the one whose extra matches what you're treating. Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel is the better fit for congestion; The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution for dark spots. On price, The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is the less expensive option (Budget versus Premium).
What they share
These hero actives appear in both formulas:
Ingredient stacks, side by side
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel — top of the list
- Aqua~50–80%
- Lactic Acid~3–10%
- Tartaric Acid~2–6%
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution — top of the list
- Aqua (Water)~50–80%
- 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 Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel | The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Exfoliant | Exfoliant |
| Price tier | Premium | Budget |
| Best for | Rough Texture, Dullness, Congestion | Rough Texture, Dullness, Dark Spots |
| Usage notes | Evening only | Evening only |
| Shared hero actives | Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid | |
Common questions
Is the Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel or The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution better?
What's the difference between the Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel and The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution?
Are the Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel and The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution dupes for each other?
Can I use the Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel and The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution together?
Related comparisons
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