Paula's Choice
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant
Paula's Choice
paulas-choice-skin-perfecting-8-aha-gel-exfoliant
Exfoliation
10085125062949
Morning or Evening?
How often will you use this product?
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Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Gel exfoliant with 8% glycolic acid
FEATURES
Revitalizes uneven skin tone, Weightless gel texture, Smooths wrinkles, Cruelty-free, Alcohol-free, Fragrance-free, Use up to twice daily
BEST FOR
sensitive
CHECKS
Does not contain alcohol, fragrance
Who Is It For?
What Does It Help With?
Uneven Skin Tone Fine Lines Wrinkles DullnessBudget
Premium ($76-$150)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What Paula's Choice Says
Product Description:
Paula's Choice Skin perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant is a powerful yet gentle glycolic acid formula that helps remove built-up layers of dead skin to reveal smoother, firmer, and more radiant skin. Its weightless gel texture glides effortlessly over the skin, improving uneven tone and softening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Features include revitalizing uneven skin tone, weightless gel texture perfecting skin's surface, smoothing the appearance of wrinkles, cruelty-free, alcohol-free, and fragrance-free. Use up to twice daily after cleansing and toning skin.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
water,-aqua, glycolic-acid-alpha-hydroxy-acid-exfoliant, sodium-hydroxide-ph-adjuster, chamomilla-recutita-matricaria-flower-extract-chamomile-skin-soothing, aloe-barbadensis-leaf-juice-hydration, camellia-oleifera-leaf-extract-green-tea-antioxidant-skin-soothing, sodium-hyaluronate-skin-replenishing, panthenol-hydration, sodium-pca-skin-replenishing, propylene-glycol-hydration, butylene-glycol-hydration, hydroxyethylcellulose-texture-enhancing, polyquaternium-10-texture-enhancing, phenoxyethanol-preservative, sodium-benzoate-preservative
Key Ingredients
glycolic-acid, green-tea, panthenol, sodium-hyaluronate, chamomile
Ingredients Details
Water
Common Name(s): Water,purified water,deionised water,inci water
CAS Number: 7732-18-5
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides the universal solvent and vehicle for water-soluble actives and the continuous phase of all o/w emulsions.
Why It's Used: The most essential cosmetic ingredient โ aqua (water) is listed first on virtually all water-containing cosmetic inci labels as the highest-concentration ingredient, serving as the foundation of the global cosmetics industry.
How It Works: Acts as solvent for all water-soluble ingredients (glycols, amino acids, water-soluble actives). forms the continuous external phase of o/w emulsions (lotions, creams, serums). provides aqueous environment for enzymatic and chemical reactions between actives. ph adjustment medium.
Typically Found In: Virtually all cosmetic products โ the most universal cosmetic ingredient globally
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ water
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: Varies widely โ up to 95% in some toners and serums
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ water (deionised/purified)
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Cosmetic-grade water is purified (deionised, distilled, or ro filtered) to prevent mineral content interference with formulation stability. european pharmacopoeial water (aqua purificata ph. eur.) is the quality standard for pharmaceutical and high-end cosmetic formulations.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ non-irritant
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1โ2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Water's position as the first inci ingredient on most cosmetic labels reflects the regulatory requirement to list ingredients in descending concentration order โ meaning water is the most abundant ingredient in the majority of cosmetic products. the fundamental role of water as the universal cosmetic solvent and vehicle makes it simultaneously the most important cosmetic ingredient and the one that requires the most sophisticated formulation chemistry to control โ every emulsifier, thickener, preservative, and ph adjuster exists primarily to manage water's interaction with other ingredients in formulation.
Last Verified: Cosing database,eu cosmetics regulation 1223/2009 inci requirements,ph. eur. aqua purificata monograph
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12