Paula's Choice 2026 BHA 9% Treatment vs Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser
13%Match
Only 13% overlap — quite different formulas
Ingredient Breakdown
Only in Paula's Choice (9)
Arginine
C: 0/5I: 0/5amino acid
avenasativakernelextract
boerhaviadiffusarootextract
Butylene Glycol
C: 1/5I: 1/5humectant
peg-75
peg-8
polysorbate-20
propyleneglycol
sea-whip-extract
Shared (4)
Aqua (Water)
C: 0/5I: 0/5other
Disodium EDTA
C: 0/5I: 0/5other
Glycerin
C: 0/5I: 0/5humectant
Salicylic Acid
C: 0/5I: 2/5bha
Only in Cetaphil Gentle (18)
Betaine
C: 0/5I: 0/5humectant
Citric Acid
C: 0/5I: 2/5aha
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
C: 0/5I: 1/5surfactant
Coco-Glucoside
C: 0/5I: 0/5surfactant
Ethylhexylglycerin
C: 0/5I: 1/5preservative
gluconolactone
glycereth-26
helianthusannuusseedoil
Mandelic Acid
C: 0/5I: 2/5aha
Niacinamide
C: 0/5I: 1/5antioxidant
Panthenol (Vitamin B5)
C: 0/5I: 0/5humectant
pantolactone
peg-120-methyl-glucose-dioleate
Phenoxyethanol
C: 0/5I: 2/5preservative
sodium-citrate
sodium-cocoamphoacetate
Sodium Hydroxide
C: 0/5I: 2/5other
Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
C: 2/5I: 1/5antioxidant
When Used Together
CautionMandelic Acid + Salicylic Acid
[Class rule] Combining AHA and BHA increases exfoliation beyond what most skin can tolerate.
Use on alternate days or choose one.
SynergyNiacinamide + Salicylic Acid
Niacinamide reduces post-BHA redness while salicylic acid unclogs pores — excellent acne-fighting duo.