Resist Advanced Pore-Refining Treatment 4% BHA
The Paula's Choice Resist Advanced Pore-Refining Treatment 4% BHA is a exfoliating scrubs & peeling gel. Our analysis of its 25 ingredients (21 low-risk) rates it Excellent (95/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone skin.
The Paula's Choice Resist Advanced Pore-Refining Treatment 4% BHA is a exfoliating scrubs & peeling gel. Our analysis of its 25 ingredients (21 low-risk) rates it Excellent (95/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone skin.
Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.
The evidence
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract
(Anticaries Agent, Antidandruff Agent, Antifungal Agent, Antimicrobial Agent, Antioxidant, Oral Care Agent, Oral Health Care Drug, Sunscreen Agent, Uv Absorber) |
Good for Dry Skin
|
|
|
|
Avena Sativa (Oat) Bran Extract | |
|
|
|
Disodium EDTA
(Chelating Agent, Viscosity Controlling) |
|
|
|
|
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
(Flavoring Agent, Skin Conditioning, Humectant) |
|
|
|
|
Peucedanum Graveolens (Dill) Extract
(Tonic) |
|
|
|
|
Adenosine
(Skin Conditioning) |
|
|
|
|
Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
(Astringent) |
|
|
|
|
Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
(Astringent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning) |
|
|
|
|
Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning Agent Occlusive, Perfuming) |
Good for Sensitive Skin
Good for Dry Skin
|
|
|
|
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
(Astringent, Skin Conditioning) |
|
|
|
|
Xanthan Gum
(Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant Emulsifying Agent, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling) |
|
|
|
|
Water
(Solvent) |
|
|
|
|
Butylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscositydecreasing Agent, Humectant, Masking, Viscosity Controlling) |
Good for Dry Skin
|
|
|
|
Glycerin
(Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care Agent, Oral Health Care Drug, Skin Protecting, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Perfuming, Solvent) |
Good for Dry Skin
Fungal Acne Trigger
|
|
|
|
Salicylic Acid
(Antiacne Agent, Antidandruff Agent, Corn/Callus/Wart Remover, Denaturant, Exfoliant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Keratolytic, Masking, Preservative) |
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
|
|
|
|
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
(Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Controlling) |
|
|
|
|
Citric Acid
(Chelating Agent, Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Masking) |
Bad for Sensitive Skin
|
|
|
|
Hydrogenated Lecithin
(Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying, Surfactant, Suspending Agent Nonsurfactant) |
|
|
|
|
Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract
(Antioxidant, Fragrance, Oral Care Agent, Skin Conditioning Agent Miscellaneous, Uv Absorber, Antimicrobial, Astringent, Emollient, Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Tonic) |
|
|
|
|
Dimethicone
(Antifoaming Agent, Skin Protecting, Emollient, Skin Conditioning) |
Silicone
|
|
|
|
Aminomethyl Propanol
(Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent) |
|
|
|
|
Allantoin
(Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing) |
Good for Oily Skin
Good for Sensitive Skin
|
|
|
|
Phenoxyethanol
(Fragrance, Preservative) |
Paraben
|
|
|
|
Benzyl Alcohol
(External Analgesic, Fragrance, Oral Health Care Drug, Preservative, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Masking) |
Allergens
|
|
|
|
Punica Granatum Fruit Extract
(Skin Conditioning) |
No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.
How to use
General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.
Trust & honesty
Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.
Low-strength topical salicylic acid (BHA) is generally considered fine. Caution is usually reserved for high-strength leave-on products and salicylic peels.
This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy guidance varies and depends on concentration and your individual situation — always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist. How we flag this.
The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.
Salicylic acid is OTC-capped at 2%; 0.5–2% is the usual leave-on range. Much below that it acts more as a soothing agent than an exfoliant.
Salicylic Acid
INCI lists don't disclose amounts, and we don't claim to know this product's levels — these are the ranges these ingredients are usually effective at, so you can tell a real formula from "fairy-dusting" a marketed active. How we estimate this.
From the community
Used this product? Rate it in 10 seconds
Alternatives