Skip to content
The iconic 2% BHA for smooth skin and refined pores got a special holiday makeover with a festive, reusable canister.
Our best-selling leave-on exfoliant gently sheds dead skin cells from the skinβs surface while dissolving buildup within pores for a smoother texture. It visibly reduces pore size and leaves your skin with a more even and youthful-looking skin. The limited-edition holiday canister creates an instant gift that can be used again & againβno wrapping required. The canister is made from FSC-certified kraft paper.
Our best-selling leave-on exfoliant gently sheds dead skin cells from the skinβs surface while dissolving buildup within pores for a smoother texture. It visibly reduces pore size and leaves your skin with a more even and youthful-looking skin. The limited-edition holiday canister creates an instant gift that can be used again & againβno wrapping required. The canister is made from FSC-certified kraft paper.
Beta hydroxy acid (BHA, also known as salicylic acid) helps the skin shed dulling buildup while unclogging pores and uncovering fresh, healthy skin. Green tea soothes irritation and provides anti-aging antioxidant benefits. The non-abrasive formula is gentle enough for daily use on all skin types.
Beta hydroxy acid (BHA, also known as salicylic acid) helps the skin shed dulling buildup while unclogging pores and uncovering fresh, healthy skin. Green tea soothes irritation and provides anti-aging antioxidant benefits. The non-abrasive formula is gentle enough for daily use on all skin types.
2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant:
Gently apply using fingers or a cotton pad over the entire face and neck, including the eye area (avoid lash line and eyelids) after cleansing and toning. Do not rinse.
Start Slowly: Apply every other day and note the skin's response. Then use up to twice daily. For daytime, always finish with SPF 30+. For nighttime, follow with the rest of your routine.
If you have a salicylate allergy, check with your physician before using any products that contain salicylic acid.
Holiday Canister:
Twist to the left and pull upwards to open the canister. Retrieve the 2% BHA and use it as instructed above. Reuse as a pencil case, makeup brush holder, and more.
2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant:
Gently apply using fingers or a cotton pad over the entire face and neck, including the eye area (avoid lash line and eyelids) after cleansing and toning. Do not rinse.
Start Slowly: Apply every other day and note the skin's response. Then use up to twice daily. For daytime, always finish with SPF 30+. For nighttime, follow with the rest of your routine.
If you have a salicylate allergy, check with your physician before using any products that contain salicylic acid.
Holiday Canister:
Twist to the left and pull upwards to open the canister. Retrieve the 2% BHA and use it as instructed above. Reuse as a pencil case, makeup brush holder, and more.
Journal of European Academy of Dermatology and Venerology, September 2016, issue 9, pages 1480-1490
General Physiology and Biophysics, September 2013, issue 3, pages 347-59
Archives of Dermatology, August 2000, issue 8, pages 989-994
Journal of Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015, volume 8, pages 455-461
Journal of European Academy of Dermatology and Venerology, September 2016, issue 9, pages 1480-1490
General Physiology and Biophysics, September 2013, issue 3, pages 347-59
Archives of Dermatology, August 2000, issue 8, pages 989-994
Journal of Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015, volume 8, pages 455-461
Key Ingredients
Methylpropanediol, Salicylic Acid, Green Tea
Product Ingredients
Water (Aqua), Methylpropanediol (hydration), Butylene Glycol (hydration), Salicylic Acid (beta hydroxy acid/exfoliant), Polysorbate 20 (stabilizer), Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract (green tea/skin calming/antioxidant), Sodium Hydroxide (pH balancer), Tetrasodium EDTA (stabilizer).
Key Ingredients
Methylpropanediol, Salicylic Acid, Green Tea
Product Ingredients
Water (Aqua), Methylpropanediol (hydration), Butylene Glycol (hydration), Salicylic Acid (beta hydroxy acid/exfoliant), Polysorbate 20 (stabilizer), Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract (green tea/skin calming/antioxidant), Sodium Hydroxide (pH balancer), Tetrasodium EDTA (stabilizer).
Shouldβ―I use AHA or BHA?<br><br>
AHAs are generally preferred if you have normal to dry skin. AHAs are water soluble and work on skin's surface to enhance hydration, fight crepe-y texture & visibly reduce sun damage.β―BHA is the preferred option for normal to oily or combination skin that's prone to bumps & blemishes. BHA is oil soluble, meaning it works both on skin's surface and within pores to quickly shed clogging buildup. It's also naturally calming and gentle enough for skin that's sensitive, prone to redness or rosacea.
<br><br>
Canβ―you use AHA and BHA together?<br><br>
Yes, you can use AHA and BHA together, but most people do just fineβ―usingβ―one or the other. Using AHA and BHA together can provide advanced results ifβ―youβreβ―experiencing multiple skin concerns (likeβ―signs of sun damage, deep wrinkles, stubborn clogged pores, bumps, dullnessβ―orβ―flaky skin).β―Thereβs nothing wrong with experimenting to see which one works best for youβ―or alternating both. Just monitor how your skin responds and adjust usage if needed.
<br><br>
Does Paulaβs Choice 2% BHA Liquid cause purging?<br><br>
Learn more inβ―our skin purging article.
<br><br>
Is 2% BHA Liquid a toner?<br><br>
No, 2% BHAβ―Liquidβ―isnβtβ―aβ―toner. Itβs a leave-on, chemical exfoliant with salicylic acid thatβ―removesβ―built-up dead skin andβ―unclogs pores.β―Paulaβs Choice tonersβ―add vital skin-replenishing ingredients immediately after cleansing, before exfoliating,β―to hydrate, refreshβ―and rebalance.
<br><br>
Why does 2% BHA Liquid feel sticky and kind of greasy on my face?<br><br>
If 2% BHA Liquid feels sticky, youβ―may beβ―using too much product. Try using a dime-sized amount applied in a thin layer. The greasy feel can be attributed to the high levels of glycol in this product (glycol helps the BHA penetrate the surface layers of skin and works as a water-binding agent).
<br><br>
What is the difference between 2% BHA Liquid andβ―CLEAR Regular Strengthβ―2%β―BHA?<br><br>
2% BHA Liquid penetrates deeper into the pore and has a pH of 3.5. Itβsβ―designed for those with more stubborn or persistentβ―breakouts. CLEAR Regular Strengthβ―2% BHAβ―has a nearly weightless feel on your skin and a pH of around 3.9, making it better for those with mild and occasional breakoutsβ―or sensitive skin.
<br><br>
Whatβ―is the difference between 2% BHA Liquid andβ―CLEAR Extra Strength 2% BHA?<br><br>
2% BHA Liquid has theβ―exactβ―same formulaβ―asβ―CLEAR Extra Strength 2% BHA, which is sold within the convenient 3-step CLEAR anti-acne line.
<br><br>
What is the difference betweenβ―the 2% BHA Liquid and RESIST Daily Pore-Refining Treatmentβ―2% BHA?<br><br>
2% BHA Liquid is a more potent exfoliant for all skin types,β―thanks to its lower pHβ―and the inclusion of additionalβ―penetrationβ―enhancing agents inβ―itsβ―formula which allow it to exfoliate quickly. RESIST 2% BHA has a lighter, water-like texture for combination/oily skinβ―andβ―in addition toβ―unclogging pores, itβ―alsoβ―contains additional antioxidantsβ―toβ―helpβ―gently but effectively address signs of aging.
Shouldβ―I use AHA or BHA?<br><br>
AHAs are generally preferred if you have normal to dry skin. AHAs are water soluble and work on skin's surface to enhance hydration, fight crepe-y texture & visibly reduce sun damage.β―BHA is the preferred option for normal to oily or combination skin that's prone to bumps & blemishes. BHA is oil soluble, meaning it works both on skin's surface and within pores to quickly shed clogging buildup. It's also naturally calming and gentle enough for skin that's sensitive, prone to redness or rosacea.
<br><br>
Canβ―you use AHA and BHA together?<br><br>
Yes, you can use AHA and BHA together, but most people do just fineβ―usingβ―one or the other. Using AHA and BHA together can provide advanced results ifβ―youβreβ―experiencing multiple skin concerns (likeβ―signs of sun damage, deep wrinkles, stubborn clogged pores, bumps, dullnessβ―orβ―flaky skin).β―Thereβs nothing wrong with experimenting to see which one works best for youβ―or alternating both. Just monitor how your skin responds and adjust usage if needed.
<br><br>
Does Paulaβs Choice 2% BHA Liquid cause purging?<br><br>
Learn more inβ―our skin purging article.
<br><br>
Is 2% BHA Liquid a toner?<br><br>
No, 2% BHAβ―Liquidβ―isnβtβ―aβ―toner. Itβs a leave-on, chemical exfoliant with salicylic acid thatβ―removesβ―built-up dead skin andβ―unclogs pores.β―Paulaβs Choice tonersβ―add vital skin-replenishing ingredients immediately after cleansing, before exfoliating,β―to hydrate, refreshβ―and rebalance.
<br><br>
Why does 2% BHA Liquid feel sticky and kind of greasy on my face?<br><br>
If 2% BHA Liquid feels sticky, youβ―may beβ―using too much product. Try using a dime-sized amount applied in a thin layer. The greasy feel can be attributed to the high levels of glycol in this product (glycol helps the BHA penetrate the surface layers of skin and works as a water-binding agent).
<br><br>
What is the difference between 2% BHA Liquid andβ―CLEAR Regular Strengthβ―2%β―BHA?<br><br>
2% BHA Liquid penetrates deeper into the pore and has a pH of 3.5. Itβsβ―designed for those with more stubborn or persistentβ―breakouts. CLEAR Regular Strengthβ―2% BHAβ―has a nearly weightless feel on your skin and a pH of around 3.9, making it better for those with mild and occasional breakoutsβ―or sensitive skin.
<br><br>
Whatβ―is the difference between 2% BHA Liquid andβ―CLEAR Extra Strength 2% BHA?<br><br>
2% BHA Liquid has theβ―exactβ―same formulaβ―asβ―CLEAR Extra Strength 2% BHA, which is sold within the convenient 3-step CLEAR anti-acne line.
<br><br>
What is the difference betweenβ―the 2% BHA Liquid and RESIST Daily Pore-Refining Treatmentβ―2% BHA?<br><br>
2% BHA Liquid is a more potent exfoliant for all skin types,β―thanks to its lower pHβ―and the inclusion of additionalβ―penetrationβ―enhancing agents inβ―itsβ―formula which allow it to exfoliate quickly. RESIST 2% BHA has a lighter, water-like texture for combination/oily skinβ―andβ―in addition toβ―unclogging pores, itβ―alsoβ―contains additional antioxidantsβ―toβ―helpβ―gently but effectively address signs of aging.
