Kiehl's Since 1851 Ultra Facial Barrier-Hydrating Cleanser vs Paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50
Paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50 scores 9.0/9.8 vs Kiehl's Since 1851 Ultra Facial Barrier-Hydrating Cleanser at 6.3/9.8. Paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50 wins for hydration.
Head to head
Ultra Facial Barrier-Hydrating Cleanser
Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50
Score comparison
Paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50 takes this one, winning 2 of 5 attributes.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
Paula's Choice WINSIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
Paula's Choice WINSIngredient Transparency
TIEFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
10% overlapOnly in Kiehl's Since 1851 Ultra Facial Barrier-Hydrating Cleanser
15 unique
Shared ingredients
5 in common
Only in Paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50
44 unique
Why Paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50 comes out ahead
Where Paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50 really shines is hydration efficacy, scoring 9.7 compared to Kiehl's Since 1851 Ultra Facial Barrier-Hydrating Cleanser's 4.8. With Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, and Phytosphingosine in its top ingredients, Paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50 delivers stronger moisture-binding capability.
Active Ingredient Strength is another area of separation. Paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50 scores 6.8 here versus 2.0 for Kiehl's Since 1851 Ultra Facial Barrier-Hydrating Cleanser. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.
Paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50 brings Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, and Ceramide Eop as actives, giving it an edge in targeted skincare benefits.
Best for your skin type
Kiehl's Since 1851 Ultra Facial Barrier-Hydrating Cleanser is better if you have
- Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
- Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations
Paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50 is better if you have
- Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
- Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Glycerin
- Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations
Value comparison
Both sit in the mid-range bracket, so value comes down to formulation quality. Paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50 gets the nod here with its 9.0 overall score — you're getting more for a similar outlay.
Our verdict
Paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50 wins this comparison with a meaningfully stronger ingredient profile and overall score.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: Kiehl's Since 1851 Ultra Facial Barrier-Hydrating Cleanser or Paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50?
Based on ingredient analysis, Paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50 scores higher overall. See the full score breakdown above for details on each attribute.
Do Kiehl's Since 1851 Ultra Facial Barrier-Hydrating Cleanser and Paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50 share ingredients?
Yes, they share common ingredients. Check the ingredient face-off section above for a detailed comparison.
What's the main difference between Kiehl's Since 1851 Ultra Facial Barrier-Hydrating Cleanser and Paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50?
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.