Head to head
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant vs The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
The bottom linePaula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant and The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution land in much the same place on performance, so value decides it — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution does the same job for less.
Which should you pick?
Pick Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant if
- you are dealing with breakouts and oiliness
- you prefer a simpler, more minimal formula
Pick Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution if
- your barrier feels stressed and needs the support
- fine lines and firmness are the goal
- you want the more affordable option
What each delivers
Side by side
| Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant | Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Exfoliant | Exfoliant |
| Key actives | Salicylic acid (BHA) | Glycolic acid 7%, Pro-vitamin B5, Gluconolactone |
| Texture | A middleweight lotion — enough to comfort without feeling heavy. | A middleweight lotion — enough to comfort without feeling heavy. |
| Fragrance | None detected | None detected |
| Fungal-acne safe | Not likely | Likely |
| Pregnancy | No flagged actives | No flagged actives |
| Ingredients | 8 listed | 11 listed |
| Price | ~€35 | ~€9 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Both share
No active in common.
Only in Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Fine lines & firmnessGlycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
- Breakouts & congestionSkin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
- Dryness & dehydrationEither works
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution is the cheaper of the two (~€9 vs ~€35).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant or The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution better for fine lines & firmness?
For fine lines & firmness, The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant and The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution land in much the same place on performance, so value decides it — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution does the same job for less.
Which is cheaper, Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant or The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution?
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution is the cheaper of the two (~€9 vs ~€35).
Can I use Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant and The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution together?
They are both exfoliants, so you would normally pick one rather than layer both in the same step. You can keep both and alternate them (morning and night, or on different days) if you like variety, but you do not need two.