When it comes to fighting stubborn acne, the right skincare can make all the difference—and the eternal debate between Paula’s Choice vs The Ordinary is but one irritating conundrum that acne-stricken individuals face when searching for the best products for acne-prone skin.
If you’re in the quest of skincare heroes that deliver for real without the nasty side effects, chances are you’ve heard of both Paula’s Choice vs The Ordinary. These two brands and their beloved products have won over countless blemish-prone hearts with their effective and affordable acne-fighters. But which one is truly deserving of a spot in your routine? And that’s what we’re exploring today!
The Ordinary for acne has emerged as the brand to beat with its no-frills formulas that center around powerhouse ingredients such as salicylic acid and niacinamide — no hefty price tags or confusing names involved. Situation on the other hand, Paula’s Choice is well-known for their formulation science, where they develop mild yet very effective products, especially their very well-known salicylic acid skincare, which is the champion mild exfoliants for acne.
Below you will find in-depth comparisons between Paula’s Choice vs the ordinary side by side. You’ll be educated on product benefits, textures, ingredient heavy hitters, and real user experiences, designed to assist you in finding the best skincare for acne-prone skin that actually works for you.
Did You Know?
Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) and it works by going into the pore and reducing excess oil by gently exfoliating and clearing buildup inside pores, which is why it is one of the best ingredients for acne-prone skin when used as a gentle exfoliator for acne.
Quick Comparison Table: Paula’s Choice vs The Ordinary
| Feature | Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid | The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Active Ingredient | Salicylic Acid (2%) | Salicylic Acid (2%) |
| Texture | Lightweight liquid | Lightweight gel |
| Fragrance | Fragrance-free | Fragrance-free |
| pH Level | 3.2 – 3.6 | 3.5 – 4.0 |
| Best For | Sensitive and oily skin | Oily and acne-prone skin |
| Price | Higher price point | Budget-friendly |
1. Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid
A Overview:
Paula’s Choice is a dermatologist-driven skincare line. Their acne products for acne-prone sensitive skin focus on salicylic acid skin care in gentle, effective formulations as an exfoliant that are both gentle for your skin and effective for clearing adult acne.
Want to try it yourself? Buy here and see for yourself what it does to your skin.
Key benefits:
- Powerful Exfoliation: Salicylic acid removes dead skin cells to help prevent pimples from forming.
- Calming Ingredients: Offers extra care from ingredients like green tea extract to reduce redness.
- Unscented: Reduced the risk of irritation, great for sensitive skin.
- Non-Comedogenic: Designed not to block pores.
Texture, Feel & Suitability
The consistency is light and watery, and it sinks in without any stickiness or film. It immediately feels calming on the skin and a good choice for those who want the best skincare for acne prone skin that isn’t harsh but still working.
Great for both AM and PM everyday use if your skin can handle it.
Battle Outcome: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Effectively eliminates dirt, oil and make-up that can clog pores and cause breakouts.
- Contains calming ingredients such as green tea to minimize irritation.
- Most items are free from artificial scents, so they are great for sensitive skin.
- It won’t clog pores, ideal for acne-prone skin.
- Formulations are backed by clinical research and prove both safe and effective.
Cons
- Typically pricier than most drugstore brands.
- A few users report an initial breakout period while their skin gets used to it.
2. The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
A Overview:
The ordinary salicylic acid 2% solution has changed the beauty landscape with its low-key approach with their “Salicylic Acid 2% Solution” and “Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%” are a must-have for anyone trying to address their acne on a budget.
Though more basic, these formulas are effective on most cases of acne-prone skin.
Ready to try it? Shop here and see for yourself.
Key Ingredients:
- Potent Actives: There are high levels of ingredients such as salicylic acid and niacinamide.
- Minimalist Formulations: Short and easy to understand ingredient lists.
- Layering Friendly: Lightweight textures permit you to apply and and layer additional products on top.
- Scent-Free: Minimizes the chance of irritation for skin of all types.
Texture, Feel & Suitability
The Ordinary Exfoliating Solutions both have a thin gel like texture that feels really smooth and spreads over the skin well and sinks in quickly.
The texture is cooling and light as well as a little tingley from the acid action, perfect for anyone experienced with acids who just wants quick, no-fuss treatment.
Battle Outcome: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Delivers the skin you want at a price you will love.
- Potent levels of actives including salicylic acid for powerful treatment.
- Clear ingredient lists make sense of it.
- Sheer textures are easily blended with other products.
- Products are fragrance-free, the most common allergen, to minimize irritation.
Cons
- Some formulations can be a bit abrasive for sensitive skin used daily.
- Some users become annoyed with less sedative down.
Ingredient Spotlight: How They Stack Up
| Ingredient | Paula’s Choice | The Ordinary | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salicylic Acid (2%) | Yes – core ingredient in BHA exfoliant | Yes – primary acne-fighting ingredient | Exfoliates inside pores; reduces acne and blackheads |
| Niacinamide | Included in some, not main in exfoliant | 10% concentration in popular acne serum | Calms inflammation, decreases redness, regulates oil |
| Skin-Soothing Agents | Yes – calms irritation and sensitivity | Limited inclusion; generally minimal | Reduces irritation from acid exfoliation |
| Alcohol | Mainly alcohol-free | Alcohol-free | Aids with absorption; can be drying if included |
Real Results: How They Perform Side by Side
In terms of Paula’s Choice vs The Ordinary for acne-prone skin, they’re both best skincare for acne-prone skin, as with other skin needs mentioned in our Paula’s Choice vs The Ordinary review! But it’s a different experience. Paula’s Choice is, a smoother, gentler introduction to salicylic acid skincare, which makes it great if you want something that’s a tried-and-true gentle exfoliant for acne that calms in addition to treating.
The Ordinary offers naked horsepower in the form of cheap-n’-cheerful actives like 2% salicylic acid and niacinamide – great if you like no bullshit effects on the cheap, but are comfortable stomaching something a little more acidic.
My Pro Tip: No matter which brand you decide to be the winner in the Paula’s Choice vs The Ordinary debate, you should always introduce salicylic acid skincare slowly, start with only 2-3 times a week, and never forget a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day to protect your skin.
What Users Are Saying: Real Experiences
Having suffered with chronic acne and sensitive skin, I found Paula’s Choice exfoliant to be wonderfully calming (and effective!) without leaving me dry. The soft feel was easy to blend into my routine. By contrast, The Ordinary’s salicylic acid solution was a bargain, as far as I was concerned, for the payoff I was getting at that price.
It yielded clearer pores, but users needed to be careful to not irritate the skin. Neither brand is better than the other in the best skincare for acne-prone skin department, so there’s some room to play based on the amount of money you have to spend!
“I tried both brands and honestly Paula’s Choice made a huge difference with the redness and breakouts without drying my skin. It’s a little more expensive but worth every penny if you have sensitive acne-prone skin. The Ordinary is great for me as well but need to moisturize extra to prevent tightness.– Emma
“I’m looking for something inexpensive, so The Ordinary for acne for the game-changer. Their salicylic acid exfoliant, along with a niacinamide serum, cleared up my skin in record time. Just careful not to overdo it, as it can be a little rough if you use it too frequently. It really is the best skincare for acne-prone skin you can get for the price.”– Mike
Wrapping Up: Choosing the Right Exfoliant for You
Paula’s Choice vs. The Ordinary, both of these salicylic acid exfoliants pack a serious punch. If you’re looking for a balm-like, skin-calming formula that’s perfect for sensitive or dry skin, Paula’s Choice may be the best acne exfoliant for you. On the other hand, if you are budget-conscious and perferring oily or combination skin, The Ordinary’s simple no-frills formula is hard to beat.
In the end, though, both are great acne chemical exfoliants, and your decision depends on your skin type, budget and preferences. Either way, you are getting a name-brand salicylic acid exfoliant, which means it’s made to penetrate pores to help clear them and other skin for a smoother, healthier appearance.
Would you use one of these exfoliants — or have you? Let me know in the comments! Was this comparison helpful for you? Please, share the article on Pinterest or/ and your favorite skincare group!
FAQs
Which is best for acne- Paula’s Choice or The Ordinary?
I find Paula’s Choice to be more even, and gentle. The Ordinary is less expensive, but can be more intense and not as beginner-friendly.
Is Paula’s Choice better for sensitive, acne-prone skin?
Yes, Paula’s Choice is generally more gentle and works better for sensitive or reactive skin types.
Can I use Paula’s Choice and The Ordinary together?
Yes, you can! Avoid layering strong actives together (unless you’re using a formula that’s been designed to do that) to prevent irritation.
