topic Re: Dupe for PC 2% BHA?????? in Beauty

Dupe for PC 2% BHA??????

virgosun — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 17:20:24 GMT

I like this as a toner but it is expensive for 4 oz! Does anyone know a dupe for it that works just as thoroughly but gently? Thanks!

Re: Dupe for PC 2% BHA??????

suzyQ3 — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 17:51:55 GMT

It's not a toner. It's a chemical exfoliant based on salicylic acid. It's a holy grail item for me. I'm still working on my first bottle, so I think it's well-priced, especially given that PC has sales so often and very reasonable shipping.

Re: Dupe for PC 2% BHA??????

virgosun — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 18:00:35 GMT

Well I guess I call it a toner because I use it all over my face and neck after I cleanse. But I am still looking for something like it that is less expensive. Salicylic Acid is not an unusual or expensive ingredient and has been around a long time. But usually it is very drying. I like that PC is not drying. Still looking for a dupe!

Re: Dupe for PC 2% BHA??????

HappyDaze — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 18:04:14 GMT

Agree with @suzyQ3 and the bottle lasts me 6 months, even using it every day. I think it is very very reasonable priced, especially given that it lasts that long.

Re: Dupe for PC 2% BHA??????

suzyQ3 — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 18:06:17 GMT

@virgosun wrote:
Well I guess I call it a toner because I use it all over my face and neck after I cleanse. But I am still looking for something like it that is less expensive. Salicylic Acid is not an unusual or expensive ingredient and has been around a long time. But usually it is very drying. I like that PC is not drying. Still looking for a dupe!

If you're using it as you would a toner, then you are probably using way too much. You need only a very small amount to cover your face and neck. Any more than that is a waste.

Yes, you can buy SA products at the drugstore. But compare ingredients.

Re: Dupe for PC 2% BHA??????

BellaCarro — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 18:12:12 GMT

This is also an HG for me. To not waste product I do not apply with cotton. I dispense a fee drops on fingertips and apply directly. A bottle lasts me a really long time.

Re: Dupe for PC 2% BHA??????

DCAnnie2004 — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 18:13:04 GMT

I don't think you'll find anything comparable for the price. 4 oz is a lot of product.

This is my holy grail skincare product.

Re: Dupe for PC 2% BHA??????

ChynnaBlue — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 18:15:28 GMT

@virgosun wrote:
Well I guess I call it a toner because I use it all over my face and neck after I cleanse. But I am still looking for something like it that is less expensive. Salicylic Acid is not an unusual or expensive ingredient and has been around a long time. But usually it is very drying. I like that PC is not drying. Still looking for a dupe!

It's easy to find drugstore products with Salicylic Acid, but they often come in smaller packages and with a lower concentration, so I think it would be a wash in terms of value. Of all of the things I've used, the Paula's Choice has been the most effective and the least irritating. If you want a toner with Salicylic Acid, Clinique's Acne Solution Clarifying Lotion will give you more product for less money, but it has alcohol in it, which can be drying and irritating, and it has only 1.5% BHA, which doesn't exfoliate as well. You can pay less, but you will also get less in terms of quality and performance. It's your decision. I haven't bought the Clinique product since I found the Paula's Choice version.

Re: Dupe for PC 2% BHA??????

ladygirl — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 18:22:45 GMT

I use the Alpha Hydrox serum and love it! Like it better than the BHA from Paula's Choice! It feels very watery like a toner but it's a serum and I don't use a cotton ball. Cleared up all my milia!

@ChynnaBlue wrote:
@virgosun wrote:
Well I guess I call it a toner because I use it all over my face and neck after I cleanse. But I am still looking for something like it that is less expensive. Salicylic Acid is not an unusual or expensive ingredient and has been around a long time. But usually it is very drying. I like that PC is not drying. Still looking for a dupe!

Re: Dupe for PC 2% BHA??????

butterflygirl69 — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 18:22:40 GMT

Mine lasts me at least 6 mos using it once a day. I just put a couple of drops in the palm of my hand and pat it onto my skin. I don't use a cotton pad to appy because it soaks up too much product.

I think it's reasonably priced for the quantity and the quality. It doesn't dry out my skin or make it break out, which is important to me.

Re: Dupe for PC 2% BHA??????

suzyQ3 — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 18:30:09 GMT

@Ladyjenn wrote:
I use the Alpha Hydrox serum and love it! Like it better than the BHA from Paula's Choice! It feels very watery like a toner but it's a serum and I don't use a cotton ball. Cleared up all my milia!
@ChynnaBlue wrote:
@virgosun wrote:
Well I guess I call it a toner because I use it all over my face and neck after I cleanse. But I am still looking for something like it that is less expensive. Salicylic Acid is not an unusual or expensive ingredient and has been around a long time. But usually it is very drying. I like that PC is not drying. Still looking for a dupe!

Isn't Alphy Hydrox a line based on AHAs? Many of us cannot use them or just prefer BHA.

Re: Dupe for PC 2% BHA??????

River Song — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 19:05:58 GMT

@virgosun, take a look at DHC Salicyclic Acid Toner, alcohol-free, 2% salicyclic acid, 5.4 fl. oz., $16.50. Gets great reviews on the DHC site but I have not personally used this product.

I just recently received the PC 2% BHA product and was surprised at the slip this stuff has, it's almost like a watery serum rather than a typical BHA liquid toner you find in the drugstore. I don't apply it with a cotton pad, just shake a few drops on my fingers and apply. I was surprised that PC says to use a cotton pad to apply it...seems wasteful and a strategy to get the customer to use it up faster and buy more, lol.

I have not run across an alcohol-free 2% BHA product quite like the PC product. Higher-end BHA serums and toners usually have alcohol and an ingredient list as long as your arm and the drugstore varieties usually include menthol or some other equally irritating ingredient in them.

Re: Dupe for PC 2% BHA??????

suzyQ3 — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 19:16:25 GMT

River Song, here are the ingredients for that DHC SA toner:

Active Ingredients: salicylic acid 2%: Inactive Ingredients: water, butylene glycol, sodium hydroxide, phenoxyethanol, PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil, sodium citrate, disodium EDTA, citric acid, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf oil, camellia sinensis leaf extract, royal jelly extract, scutellaria baicalensis root extract, perilla ocymoides leaf extract, houttuynia cordata extract, aloe barbadensis leaf extract

Here are the ingredients in PC's 2% SA Liquid Exfoliant:

Water (Aqua), Methylpropanediol (slip agents/penetration enhancers), Butylene Glycol (slip agents/penetration enhancers), Salicylic Acid (beta hydroxy acid/exfoliant), Polysorbate 20 (solubilizing agent), Camellia Oleifera (Green Tea) Leaf Extract (anti-irritant/antioxidant), Sodium Hydroxide (pH balancer), Tetrasodium EDTA (chelating agent)

Re: Dupe for PC 2% BHA??????

MrsCat21 — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 19:22:55 GMT

Is the PC product like the Isomers Daily Exfoliating Serum (AHA / BHA)? I have a bottle that I want to start using and I am not sure when and how to use it. The directions say not to use with a retinol product. So I shouldnt use it with Isomers Retiniacin at night but can I use it during the day?

Re: Dupe for PC 2% BHA??????

BellaCarro — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 19:25:02 GMT

@suzyQ3 wrote:
River Song, here are the ingredients for that DHC SA toner:

Active Ingredients: salicylic acid 2%: Inactive Ingredients: water, butylene glycol, sodium hydroxide, phenoxyethanol, PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil, sodium citrate, disodium EDTA, citric acid, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf oil, camellia sinensis leaf extract, royal jelly extract, scutellaria baicalensis root extract, perilla ocymoides leaf extract, houttuynia cordata extract, aloe barbadensis leaf extract

Here are the ingredients in PC's 2% SA Liquid Exfoliant:

Water (Aqua), Methylpropanediol (slip agents/penetration enhancers), Butylene Glycol (slip agents/penetration enhancers), Salicylic Acid (beta hydroxy acid/exfoliant), Polysorbate 20 (solubilizing agent), Camellia Oleifera (Green Tea) Leaf Extract (anti-irritant/antioxidant), Sodium Hydroxide (pH balancer), Tetrasodium EDTA (chelating agent)

Gee, I have to say the DHC is not bad at all. The hydrogenated castor oil will give it slip and castor oil is known as a dry, noncomodegenic oil, and in this form will solubilize, too. Not bad at all but I'm still sticking with the one that has worked for me.

Thanks, @suzyQ3 for posting the ingredients.

Re: Dupe for PC 2% BHA??????

BellaCarro — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 19:26:07 GMT

@MrsCat21 Can you post the ingredient deck?

Re: Dupe for PC 2% BHA??????

MrsCat21 — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 19:59:27 GMT

@BellaCarro wrote:
@MrsCat21 Can you post the ingredient deck?

@BellaCarro This is on the Isomers website:

PEG-8, Glycolic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Tetahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine, Salicylic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Tropolone.

I just realized that the PC is BHA only. Isomers is AHA / BHA

Re: Dupe for PC 2% BHA??????

Rachb — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 19:37:46 GMT

I really don't think there is a dupe for it. You'll find other products with SA, but not a dupe for the product you're talking about. If you like it, it may be worth the investment. You only need 4-5 drops at a time.

Re: Dupe for PC 2% BHA??????

segrl21 — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 19:38:01 GMT

If you are unsure about the liquid form they have it in a cream formula.I use the lotion/cream form and it lasts almost a year.

Re: Dupe for PC 2% BHA??????

ladygirl — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 19:44:45 GMT

@suzyQ3 wrote:
@Ladyjenn wrote:
I use the Alpha Hydrox serum and love it! Like it better than the BHA from Paula's Choice! It feels very watery like a toner but it's a serum and I don't use a cotton ball. Cleared up all my milia!
@ChynnaBlue wrote:
@virgosun wrote:
Well I guess I call it a toner because I use it all over my face and neck after I cleanse. But I am still looking for something like it that is less expensive. Salicylic Acid is not an unusual or expensive ingredient and has been around a long time. But usually it is very drying. I like that PC is not drying. Still looking for a dupe!

Isn't Alphy Hydrox a line based on AHAs? Many of us cannot use them or just prefer BHA.

I believe so, oops! Sorry. It seemed to do what I needed the BHA to do for me better!