Pixi Glow Tonic vs Paula's Choice BHA

We’re positive you’ve seen (or at the very least heard of) Pixi and Paula's Choice before. But which should you choose for your skin?

Come with us as we compare their best-selling exfoliators side-by-side to help you decide which is best for you and your skincare routine. Enjoy!

This post contains affiliate links; as an Amazon Associate we earn commission from qualifying purchases.

Pixi Glow Tonic vs Paula's Choice BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Pixi Glow Tonic is an award winning, highly concentrated, invigorating toner that deeply cleans the pores by removing excess oil and impurities from the skin. The exfoliating element of this product comes from the alpha hydroxy acid, glycolic acid. Glycolic acid works by gently breaking the bond that holds dead skin cells to the surface of the skin.

This process unveils radiant and brighter skin. Also included within this product are ginseng and aloe vera. Ginseng has been incorporated to invigorate the skin and improve circulation. Aloe vera is used within this toner to calm and soothe irritation in the skin. Pixi claims this product will leave the skin feeling balanced, soothed, radiant and prepped for make-up.

Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is very similar to Pixi’s Glow Tonic. It is similar in the fact that it is a deeply cleansing liquid that exfoliates the skin. However, instead of using glycolic acid to slough away dead skin cells (an AHA), this product uses salicylic acid (a BHA) Salicylic acid is able to clear and minimise the appearance of pores and can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Also within this product is green tea. Green tea is able to soothe irritation and improve sun damage. With this wonderful mix of ingredients it is no surprise that 91% of users said that their skin was noticeably healthier, 90% said that their skin texture had improved and finally, 82% of users said that their pore size had reduced.

Due to the exfoliating and calming properties of these products, they are suitable for all skin types but would be best for those who suffer with acne, blemishes and uneven skin tone and texture. For best results, it is recommended to use them in the morning and/or in the evening. Due to their potency, though, both brands recommend taking it easy when first starting out with them. This means using them max three times a week (in the evening) to begin with and gradually working up to using them every morning and evening. It is *highly* recommended to be applying SPF in the morning when using exfoliators.

Neither Pixi or Paula’s Choice are 100% vegan companies. This is because some of their products contain animal-derived ingredients such as beeswax or sea whip. Both of the products we are discussing within this article do not contain any animal-derived ingredients, however. It is also interesting to know that both of these products do not contain alcohol or parabens. Pixi’s Glow Tonic does however come with a fragrance, whereas Paula’s Choice Liquid Exfoliant does not. It is important to note that both of these products are not tested on animals.

These exfoliators are very comparable in price. Paula’s Choice Liquid Exfoliant comes in a 4oz bottle and a travel size version. The 4oz bottle retails for $34 and the travel size retails for $13. Pixi’s Glow Tonic comes in one size, 250ml (8oz) and costs $29. Both of these products arrive in plastic bottles with a screw cap (these bottles can be recycled, yay!) and are recommended to be applied to the skin with cotton pads.