
Paula's Choice
Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
The cult 2% salicylic acid leave-on exfoliant: reliably unclogs pores and smooths texture, with irritation the main risk.
The whole directory in one place. Filter by your skin or hair type, what you want it to do, the ingredients you love (or avoid), finish and budget — scores and creator reviews included.
22 products of 110

Paula's Choice
The cult 2% salicylic acid leave-on exfoliant: reliably unclogs pores and smooths texture, with irritation the main risk.

Differin
The formerly prescription-only 0.1% adapalene gel, now OTC: a proven, inexpensive acne retinoid that demands patience through dryness.

Hero Cosmetics
The benchmark hydrocolloid pimple patch: flattens surfaced whiteheads overnight and stops picking, but does little for deep, closed bumps.

Bioderma
The original no-rinse micellar water: fragrance-free, gentle on sensitive skin and effective on everyday makeup with a cotton pad.

Laura Mercier
The benchmark loose setting powder: finely milled, truly translucent and long-wearing, though it contains talc and costs $43.

CeraVe
A 4% benzoyl peroxide wash cushioned with ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid — an easier-to-tolerate BPO cleanser for breakouts.

Banila Co
The sherbet-textured K-beauty balm that melts makeup and sunscreen and rinses clean — the cleansing-balm benchmark, with added fragrance.

Maybelline New York
A $11.99 oil-free matte foundation in 40 shades that remains a go-to drugstore pick for normal to oily skin.

The Ordinary
The viral red 10-minute at-home peel: strong, cheap and effective on texture, but only for experienced, non-sensitive skin.

Good Molecules
A $12 tranexamic-derivative and niacinamide serum with full ingredient percentages, a budget favorite for marks and uneven tone.

Beauty of Joseon
A cushiony propolis-and-niacinamide serum with a low price and a devoted following for glow, calm and smoother-looking pores.

Medik8
A gentle, well-formulated 0.06% retinal night serum for regular vitamin A users, priced well above budget retinal alternatives.

The Ordinary
A $6 cult niacinamide serum that helps many oily, blemish-prone users with shine and pores, though a vocal minority reports breakouts.

Batiste
The classic aerosol dry shampoo: rice starch soaks up oil fast for very little money, with a soapy citrus scent and possible residue.

Anua
The viral heartleaf cleansing oil: a light, rinse-clean first cleanse for makeup and sebum, but fragranced and breakout-prone for some.

COSRX
An inexpensive low-pH gel wash with a light lather and a tea-tree scent — a solid morning or second cleanse, not a makeup remover.

Biodance
Viral overnight hydrogel mask that leaves skin plump and dewy by morning, though reviewers call the glow a short-term boost.

Estée Lauder
The long-wear matte icon, reformulated in 2026 with 36-hour claims and skin-balancing actives; longtime fans are split on the change.

Neutrogena
A cheap, water-resistant drugstore classic with a fast-drying, non-shiny finish; it is fragranced, and white-cast reports are mixed.

OUAI
A heavily fragranced weekly clarifier with apple cider vinegar that strips buildup well but costs more than most rivals.

Glow Recipe
A hydrating, low-strength PHA + BHA toner that smooths and refines pores gently, at a premium price for its acid dose.

Neutrogena
A cooling, weightless hyaluronic acid water gel made for normal to oily skin, though it contains fragrance and Blue 1 dye.