Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel for acne-prone skin
Aha Alpha Hydroxy Acid
Bha Beta Hydroxy Acid
Glycolic Acid- Salicylic Acid
Sodium Hyaluronate
Low
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
A weak match for acne-prone skin; the products alongside fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate exfoliation for your combination skin, as the blend of glycolic acid and salicylic acid targets acne and blemishes by promoting skin renewal and clearing pores. While beneficial for texture and breakouts, the high concentration of multiple AHAs and BHA may be too potent for consistent use without potential irritation.
- The inclusion of soothing agents like Bisabolol and Allantoin helps to mitigate potential discomfort, making it generally suitable for your skin type.
How to apply
- Use this exfoliant PM once a week to start, and gradually increase if your combination skin tolerates it well. Always apply SPF the next morning to protect your clear skin.
- Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toning, but right before your moisturizer step. This ensures the treatment targets blemishes effectively.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin without rubbing. Let it absorb for a minute before moving to the next step.
- Apply the exfoliant on clean, dry skin to help control breakouts safely. Since your skin is not sensitive, this dry application method ensures good product absorption.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a patch test before your first use. Do not mix this exfoliant with other strong acids in the same routine.
People Say
★4.4Overall rating based on 300+ reviewsUsers with dull, aging, or congested skin frequently report that this peel delivers a "glass-like" finish, significantly smoothing rough texture and minimizing pores.
Highlights
Smoother skin texture Mostly Mentioned
- “skin has never been so soft”
- “baby soft feel”
- “glass-like finish”
- “removed dry patches”
Instant glow Often Mentioned
- “instant glow”
- “skin looks brighter the next day”
- “radiant healthy look”
- “makeup looks airbrushed”
Gentle for a peel Sometimes Noted
- “didn't irritate at all”
- “no redness after use”
- “gentle despite high percentage”
- “no peeling or downtime”
Pore reduction Sometimes Noted
- “minimizes huge pores”
- “cleared blackheads”
- “unclogs congestion”
- “pores look tighter”
High price Sometimes Noted
- “tube is tiny”
- “wish it came in a larger size”
- “expensive for 1 oz”
- “pricey per use”
Unpleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells like vinegar”
- “strong chemical smell”
- “medicinal scent”
- “mildly unpleasant odor”
Lack of results Rarely Noted
- “didn't notice a difference”
- “not that good”
- “expected more for the price”
- “no change in wrinkles”
Stinging or tingling Rarely Noted
- “stings slightly upon application”
- “tingling sensation”
- “sensitive skin screaming”
- “burned a little”
Sources: lovi.care, paulaschoice.com, paulaschoice-eu.com, dermstore.com, sephora.co.uk, cultbeauty.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why is Paula's Choice 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel a weak match for acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant peel is a weak match because the high concentration of multiple acids may be too potent and cause irritation on acne-prone skin. To fit this skin type well, a product needs soothing ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, or zinc PCA that target breakouts and control oil without any risk of irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a poor fit for acne-prone skin?
The high concentration of multiple AHAs and BHA makes this exfoliant a weak match for acne-prone skin because it may be too potent for consistent use without potential irritation. A product of this type needs effective ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, or zinc PCA that provide benefits for acne and breakouts while ensuring no risk of irritation and maintaining optimal hydration and balance.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
What does Alpha Hydroxy Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Alpha hydroxy acid helps clear acne-prone skin by gently removing dead surface cells and fighting bacteria to reduce breakouts and inflammation. It is unlikely to cause irritation when used regularly, leaving your skin looking much clearer and smoother.
What does Bha do for acne-prone skin?
BHA helps clear acne-prone skin by clearing out pores to reduce both inflammatory and non-inflammatory breakouts. It also helps calm redness and lower oil production, and is unlikely to cause harsh side effects when used regularly.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant goes in your evening routine once a week, as strong acids may be too potent for frequent use on acne-prone skin. Acne-prone skin needs a gentle exfoliant treatment with soothing ingredients and lower acid concentrations to clear pores without causing irritation.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
Using this potent exfoliant with retinol may easily cause severe irritation and redness on acne-prone skin. To help protect your skin, acne-prone skin needs gentle, soothing ingredients like bisabolol and allantoin, along with plenty of hydration.
How often should I use this exfoliant?
Start by using this exfoliant just once a week in your evening routine, as the high concentration of acids may be too potent for frequent use. If your skin tolerates it well without irritation, you can carefully use it more often. Acne-prone skin needs a gentler exfoliant with soothing and pore-clearing ingredients to manage breakouts safely.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This strong acid peel is a weak match for your acne-prone skin because the high concentration of multiple acids may easily cause irritation instead of clearing breakouts. For this skin type, a product of this type needs gentler exfoliating ingredients and soothing additions that clear pores without stinging or causing discomfort.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, gluconolactone, and licochalcone A combined with 0.1% adapalene showed no hindrance compared to adapalene monotherapy and provided benefits in reducing complications in 25 subjects with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024The use of a salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic significantly reduces the needed quantity of benzoyl peroxide without impacting efficacy in mild to moderate acne, and as maintenance post-benzoyl peroxide allows a significant reduction of acne relapse compared to vehicle.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.
CMAJ, 2010A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.
BioMed Research International, 2020Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Repeated short-contact 70% glycolic acid peels provided superior results in atrophic acne scars compared to daily low-strength glycolic acid cream or placebo in 58 women over 24 weeks.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2000Serial glycolic acid peels combined with a modified Kligman formula significantly reduced facial PIH severity in Indian patients compared to the modified Kligman formula alone.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2017Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019
Ingredients
Water, Aminomethyl Propanol, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Isoamyl Laurate, Tartaric Acid, Propanediol, Salicylic Acid, Malic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Clitoria Ternatea Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Titanium Dioxide Ci 77891, Mica, Phenoxyethanol
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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