Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant for oily skin
Salicylic Acid Bha
Glycerin
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract
AllantoinSuperior
- HighOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best products for oily skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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
- Excellent for your oily skin, this exfoliant utilizes salicylic acid to effectively decongest pores and reduce oiliness, while Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract and Avena Sativa Bran Extract provide soothing antioxidant benefits.
- The inclusion of Allantoin and Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract further supports skin comfort and helps to calm any potential irritation, making it a well-rounded choice for managing shine.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of beneficial soothing components.
How to apply
- Use this exfoliant product as part of your PM routine once a week. Start slowly and build up frequency only if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and let it absorb fully. Avoid any harsh rubbing to keep your skin calm.
- Apply the exfoliant directly onto completely dry skin to get the best balance and results. Clean, dry skin helps the product work evenly.
- Always avoid the delicate eye area when applying. Be sure to use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily while using exfoliating acids.
People Say
★4.4Overall rating based on 200+ reviewsUsers with dry, sensitive, or combination skin frequently praise this lotion for its gentle, hydrating properties that improve texture and reduce blackheads without causing dryness. It is also noted for its soothing effects on redness and inflammation. Some users with oilier skin find the texture a bit heavy for daytime use, and a low number of reviews mention an unpleasant scent or an initial purging phase.
Highlights
Effective exfoliation Mostly Mentioned
- “clears blackheads”
- “smoother texture”
- “reduces bumps”
- “glowy skin”
Gentle and hydrating Often Mentioned
- “non-drying”
- “moisturizing”
- “gentle on sensitive skin”
- “softens dry patches”
Good absorption Sometimes Noted
- “absorbs quickly”
- “lightweight lotion”
- “layers well”
- “silky feel”
Soothing formula Sometimes Noted
- “calms redness”
- “reduces inflammation”
- “no stinging”
Greasy finish Sometimes Noted
- “shiny residue”
- “too heavy”
- “oily film”
- “sticky feel”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “pump broke”
- “hard to dispense”
- “product gets stuck”
- “messy cap”
Purging phase Rarely Noted
- “initial breakout”
- “worse before better”
- “purging acne”
- “whiteheads appeared”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “smells like cucumber”
- “weird melon scent”
- “funky smell”
- “off-putting odor”
Sources: lovi.care, paulaschoice.com, spacenk.com, amazon.com, youtube.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant one of the best fits for oily skin?
This exfoliant is an exceptional fit because its salicylic acid helps clear clogged pores and cut down on shine, while green tea and oat extracts calm and soothe your skin. It is very gentle and safe, meaning you can manage your oily skin comfortably without harsh irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Experimental Dermatology, 2009
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for oily skin?
This exfoliant is a great fit for oily skin because it uses salicylic acid to clear out pores and manage shine, alongside soothing green tea, oat extract, allantoin, and licorice root to keep the skin calm and comfortable. These ingredients work together to reduce oiliness while maintaining an excellent safety profile that is unlikely to cause irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Experimental Dermatology, 2009
What does Salicylic Acid do for oily skin?
Salicylic acid helps oily skin by clearing excess oil and reducing breakouts while keeping skin comfortable and hydrated. Using it twice a day can significantly lower oil levels and improve overall skin balance.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
What does Glycerin do for oily skin?
Glycerin helps keep oily skin hydrated without feeling heavy and supports the skin barrier. Because this product is a weak fit for your skin, an ideal product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and ingredients that balance oil while protecting the skin.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2019
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This exfoliant goes in your evening routine as a treatment step after cleansing, starting at once a week and slowly increasing if your skin tolerates it well. It is very unlikely to cause irritation because it leaves out harsh ingredients and includes soothing components.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this exfoliant with retinol by applying them on alternate nights or separating them into different routines to help prevent irritation. Because both ingredients renew the skin, using them at the same time may cause dryness, so starting slowly lets your skin adjust comfortably.
How often should I use this exfoliant?
Start using this exfoliant once a week in your evening routine, and if your skin feels comfortable and you see good results, you can carefully use it more often. Salicylic acid helps clear out pores and manage shine, and this product is very safe and unlikely to cause irritation.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This exfoliant uses salicylic acid to help clear out pores and manage oiliness, making it an excellent fit for your oily skin. While a minor purging phase is rarely reported, the formula includes soothing ingredients like green tea and licorice root that calm irritation and support a very low risk of breakouts.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023
Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
Twice 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, 2023Topical low-dose green tea extract reduces UVB-induced p53 expression and apoptosis in human skin keratinocytes compared to placebo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2009Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015Cryotherapy 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, 2024A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Topical green tea extract significantly improved clinical symptoms, tear breakup times, and meibomian gland health compared to standard treatment in patients with dry eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 2017An anti-acne hydrogel containing Aloe barbadensis, Garcinia mangostana, and Camellia sinensis extracts showed superior antiacne and antiblotch activities compared to 1% clindamycin gel in sixty subjects with mild-moderate acne.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Topical application of green tea extract encapsulated chitosan microparticles improved skin elasticity, melanin index, and facial wrinkles compared to a placebo in female volunteers without causing skin irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.
Advanced Science, 2025Topical application of Glycyrrhiza glabra and Sophora japonica flavonoid-rich fractions individually and in combination significantly increased the wound healing rate and reduced oxidative stress compared to wound and Nolaver-treated groups.
Molecules, 2023Topical gel containing chitosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol did not improve postoperative comfort regarding swelling and pain, but improved the wound's aesthetic appearance following impacted lower third molar extraction compared to no gel.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016A 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, 2020An overnight patch containing Allium cepa extract and allantoin safely promotes scar healing after dermatologic surgery, resulting in significantly greater reductions in observer- and patient-assessed POSAS scores compared to no treatment.
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2018
Ingredients
Water, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Cetyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Vp Copolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Sorbitan Stearate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lauric Acid, Allantoin, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Avena Sativa Bran Extract Oat Bran Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Stem Extract Flower Leaf, Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Peg-40 Stearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium Edta, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol
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
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
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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