Mary & May CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm 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 Mary & May CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm at 7.2/9.8. Paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50 wins for hydration.
Head to head
CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm
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 3 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
Paula's Choice WINSIngredient face-off
12% overlapOnly in Mary & May CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm
17 unique
Shared ingredients
6 in common
Only in Paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50
43 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 Mary & May CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm's 5.9. 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 4.9 for Mary & May CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm. 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, while mary & May CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm relies on Tocopheryl Acetate, Centella Asiatica Extract, and Madecassoside. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.
Best for your skin type
Mary & May CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm 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
At budget pricing with a score of 7.2, Mary & May CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm is a decent pick. Paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50 sits at the mid-range level with a 9.0 score — the higher investment pays off in formulation quality.
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: Mary & May CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm 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 Mary & May CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm 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 Mary & May CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm 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.