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Exfoliants

Paula's Choice

2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

6 ingredients decoded 6 similar formulasNo reviews yet

Exfoliants

An exfoliant by Paula's Choice. The label lists 6 ingredients, led by BHA exfoliant. View details

Size

Not listed · confirm the exact variant with the retailer

Where to buy

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Status

Formula highlights

1 key ingredient · BHA exfoliant
Free from · fragrance, sulfate surfactants, drying alcohols, parabens and silicones by the decoded label
Not recommended during pregnancy · Contains an ingredient our pregnancy rule set flags.

Ingredient breakdown

The full record for every linked ingredient — identifiers, every recorded function, sources, and the provenance of each figure.

Label captured · 6 of 7 parsed · 6 of 6 explained

The full record for each of the 6 linked ingredients — identifiers, every recorded function, sources, and where each figure came from.

← Simple view

Water
INCI name
Water
As printed on the label
Water (Aqua)
Korean name
물, 미네랄워터, 빙하수, 정제수, 탄산수
Recorded CosIng functions
antiplaque — is listed in CosIng as an antiplaque agent (oral care)
skin conditioning — leaves skin feeling smoother or better cared for
solvent — dissolves other ingredients so they blend into the formula
Legacy overall grade — not claim-specific
strong (unreviewed legacy record)
Breakout context
Not yet reviewed
Sources
Water — Cosmetics Info · industry ingredient reference
Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Guidelines/Inspection Checklist for Cosmetics — U.S. FDA · regulatory guidance
Microbiological Safety and Cosmetics — U.S. FDA · regulatory guidance
Record reviewed
researched · 2026-07-31
Full ingredient page →
Methylpropanediol
INCI name
Methylpropanediol
As printed on the label
Methylpropanediol
Korean name
메칠프로판디올, 메틸프로판다이올
Recorded CosIng functions
solvent — dissolves other ingredients so they blend into the formula
Legacy overall grade — not claim-specific
moderate (unreviewed legacy record)
Breakout context
Not yet reviewed
Sources
Safety Assessment of Alkane Diols as Used in Cosmetics · Cosmetic Ingredient Review safety assessment
Safety Assessment of Alkane Diols as Used in Cosmetics — 144th CIR Expert Panel Meeting · Cosmetic Ingredient Review meeting record
Record reviewed
researched · 2026-07-31
Full ingredient page →
Butylene Glycol
INCI name
Butylene Glycol
As printed on the label
Butylene Glycol
Korean name
부틸렌글라이콜
Recorded CosIng functions
fragrance — adds scent
humectant — draws moisture into the skin
skin conditioning — leaves skin feeling smoother or better cared for
solvent — dissolves other ingredients so they blend into the formula
viscosity controlling — adjusts how thick or thin the product feels
Legacy overall grade — not claim-specific
strong (unreviewed legacy record)
Breakout context
Not yet reviewed
Sources
Final report on the safety assessment of Butylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, and Dipropylene Glycol — U.S. EPA HERO · peer-reviewed safety assessment record
Dipropylene Glycol and related glycols — Cosmetics Info · industry ingredient reference
1,3-Butanediol — PubChem Compound Summary · government scientific reference
Record reviewed
researched · 2026-07-31
Full ingredient page →
Salicylic AcidBHA exfoliant
INCI name
Salicylic Acid
As printed on the label
Salicylic Acid
Korean name
살리실릭애씨드
Recorded CosIng functions
anti-seborrheic
fragrance — adds scent
hair conditioning — leaves hair feeling smoother and easier to manage
keratolytic — loosens and helps shed the outer layer of dead skin cells
preservative — stops microbes from growing so the product stays safe to use
skin conditioning — leaves skin feeling smoother or better cared for
Legacy overall grade — not claim-specific
strong (unreviewed legacy record)
Breakout context
Not yet reviewed
Sources
OTC Monograph M006: Topical Acne Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use (FDA) · regulatory
Over-the-counter Acne Treatments: A Review (Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology) · clinical review
Record reviewed
researched · 2026-07-31
Full ingredient page →
Sodium Hydroxide
INCI name
Sodium Hydroxide
As printed on the label
Sodium Hydroxide
Korean name
소듐하이드록사이드
Recorded CosIng functions
buffering — keeps a formula's pH steady
denaturant — makes alcohol undrinkable without changing its cosmetic use
Legacy overall grade — not claim-specific
strong (unreviewed legacy record)
Breakout context
Not yet reviewed
Sources
Cosmetic Ingredient Review: Final Safety Assessment of Inorganic Hydroxides as Used in Cosmetics · safety assessment
COSMILE Europe: Sodium Hydroxide—buffering function and EU regulatory status · cosmetic ingredient database
Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on Cosmetic Products · regulation
Record reviewed
researched · 2026-07-31
Full ingredient page →
Tetrasodium EDTA
INCI name
Tetrasodium EDTA
As printed on the label
Tetrasodium EDTA
Korean name
테트라소듐이디티에이
Recorded CosIng functions
chelating — binds trace metals that could destabilize a formula
Legacy overall grade — not claim-specific
moderate (unreviewed legacy record)
Breakout context
Not yet reviewed
Sources
Reregistration Eligibility Decision for EDTA and its salts · US EPA safety and use assessment
Edetate sodium · US National Library of Medicine chemical database
Record reviewed
researched · 2026-07-31
Full ingredient page →

Where this label came from. 6 of 7 label tokens linked to a known ingredient; parse status ok.

Safety & cautions

Salicylic Acid
- Used with caution in pregnancy

Pregnancy flags are decision-support, not medical advice — ask your doctor.

Ingredient breakdown

The full record for every linked ingredient — identifiers, every recorded function, sources, and the provenance of each figure.

Label captured · 6 of 7 parsed · 6 of 6 explained

The full record for each of the 6 linked ingredients — identifiers, every recorded function, sources, and where each figure came from.

← Simple view

Water
INCI name
Water
As printed on the label
Water (Aqua)
Korean name
물, 미네랄워터, 빙하수, 정제수, 탄산수
Recorded CosIng functions
antiplaque — is listed in CosIng as an antiplaque agent (oral care)
skin conditioning — leaves skin feeling smoother or better cared for
solvent — dissolves other ingredients so they blend into the formula
Legacy overall grade — not claim-specific
strong (unreviewed legacy record)
Breakout context
Not yet reviewed
Sources
Water — Cosmetics Info · industry ingredient reference
Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Guidelines/Inspection Checklist for Cosmetics — U.S. FDA · regulatory guidance
Microbiological Safety and Cosmetics — U.S. FDA · regulatory guidance
Record reviewed
researched · 2026-07-31
Full ingredient page →
Methylpropanediol
INCI name
Methylpropanediol
As printed on the label
Methylpropanediol
Korean name
메칠프로판디올, 메틸프로판다이올
Recorded CosIng functions
solvent — dissolves other ingredients so they blend into the formula
Legacy overall grade — not claim-specific
moderate (unreviewed legacy record)
Breakout context
Not yet reviewed
Sources
Safety Assessment of Alkane Diols as Used in Cosmetics · Cosmetic Ingredient Review safety assessment
Safety Assessment of Alkane Diols as Used in Cosmetics — 144th CIR Expert Panel Meeting · Cosmetic Ingredient Review meeting record
Record reviewed
researched · 2026-07-31
Full ingredient page →
Butylene Glycol
INCI name
Butylene Glycol
As printed on the label
Butylene Glycol
Korean name
부틸렌글라이콜
Recorded CosIng functions
fragrance — adds scent
humectant — draws moisture into the skin
skin conditioning — leaves skin feeling smoother or better cared for
solvent — dissolves other ingredients so they blend into the formula
viscosity controlling — adjusts how thick or thin the product feels
Legacy overall grade — not claim-specific
strong (unreviewed legacy record)
Breakout context
Not yet reviewed
Sources
Final report on the safety assessment of Butylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, and Dipropylene Glycol — U.S. EPA HERO · peer-reviewed safety assessment record
Dipropylene Glycol and related glycols — Cosmetics Info · industry ingredient reference
1,3-Butanediol — PubChem Compound Summary · government scientific reference
Record reviewed
researched · 2026-07-31
Full ingredient page →
Salicylic AcidBHA exfoliant
INCI name
Salicylic Acid
As printed on the label
Salicylic Acid
Korean name
살리실릭애씨드
Recorded CosIng functions
anti-seborrheic
fragrance — adds scent
hair conditioning — leaves hair feeling smoother and easier to manage
keratolytic — loosens and helps shed the outer layer of dead skin cells
preservative — stops microbes from growing so the product stays safe to use
skin conditioning — leaves skin feeling smoother or better cared for
Legacy overall grade — not claim-specific
strong (unreviewed legacy record)
Breakout context
Not yet reviewed
Sources
OTC Monograph M006: Topical Acne Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use (FDA) · regulatory
Over-the-counter Acne Treatments: A Review (Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology) · clinical review
Record reviewed
researched · 2026-07-31
Full ingredient page →
Sodium Hydroxide
INCI name
Sodium Hydroxide
As printed on the label
Sodium Hydroxide
Korean name
소듐하이드록사이드
Recorded CosIng functions
buffering — keeps a formula's pH steady
denaturant — makes alcohol undrinkable without changing its cosmetic use
Legacy overall grade — not claim-specific
strong (unreviewed legacy record)
Breakout context
Not yet reviewed
Sources
Cosmetic Ingredient Review: Final Safety Assessment of Inorganic Hydroxides as Used in Cosmetics · safety assessment
COSMILE Europe: Sodium Hydroxide—buffering function and EU regulatory status · cosmetic ingredient database
Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on Cosmetic Products · regulation
Record reviewed
researched · 2026-07-31
Full ingredient page →
Tetrasodium EDTA
INCI name
Tetrasodium EDTA
As printed on the label
Tetrasodium EDTA
Korean name
테트라소듐이디티에이
Recorded CosIng functions
chelating — binds trace metals that could destabilize a formula
Legacy overall grade — not claim-specific
moderate (unreviewed legacy record)
Breakout context
Not yet reviewed
Sources
Reregistration Eligibility Decision for EDTA and its salts · US EPA safety and use assessment
Edetate sodium · US National Library of Medicine chemical database
Record reviewed
researched · 2026-07-31
Full ingredient page →

Where this label came from. 6 of 7 label tokens linked to a known ingredient; parse status ok.

Safety & cautions

Salicylic Acid
- Used with caution in pregnancy

Pregnancy flags are decision-support, not medical advice — ask your doctor.

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2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Ingredient breakdown

Safety & cautions

Ingredient breakdown

Safety & cautions