Additional information
| Manufacturer | Paula's Choice |
|---|
Paulas Choice- 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant
$35.00
- GENTLE NON-ABRASIVE LEAVE-ON EXFOLIANT: With 2% BHA (Beta hydroxy acid), to unclog & diminish enlarged pores, exfoliate dead skin cells, smooth wrinkles, and brighten and even out skin tone. Combats redness, wrinkles, aging, enlarged pores, and blackheads.
- Dramatically improves skin’s texture for radiant youthful even-toned skin. Beta hydroxy acid (BHA, also known as salicylic acid) mimics the natural exfoliation process of younger skin by helping it shed extra layers while unclogging and clearing pores.
- HYDRATE, BRIGHTEN & SMOOTH FINE LINES: Our unique, non-abrasive, leave-on exfoliant is gentle enough for daily use on all skin types. Exfoliates dead skin cells while clearing pores for a more even tone, plus it visibly reduces fine lines & wrinkles.
- Paula’s Choice facial exfoliants are gentler on delicate skin of the face & neck than an abrasive face scrub, which can cause micro-tears. A BHA leave-on exfoliator delivers hydration & can exfoliate directly inside the pore & improve how the pore works.
- Paula’s Choice Skincare makes products that work. No fragrance, no parabens, no fluff. Just effective, science-backed formulas that target any concern from wrinkles to breakouts.
Audrey S. –
My skin type:- Very Dry, easily dehydrated- Oily nose- Prone to stubborn acne and closed comedones- Redness on chin and cheeks (not rosacea)I already use a nightly Tretinoin cream (.04% concentration) to help with my acne and premature signs of aging but decided with my derm that incorporating a BHA would be a good idea to help with my seriously stubborn closed comedones and some irritating textural issues. It was between this and the Cerave SA lotion and I ultimately decided on this due to the higher concentration of salicylic acid.It’s moisturizing, and feels sticky for the first 5-10 minutes after application but seems to sinks in to something of a satin finish on me and I can no longer feel it on my skin. You just have to be a little patient. My skin feels well hydrated and plump after it settles and looks really smooth and my pores aren’t as obvious. It sits just fine under makeup for me but I’m not a new user to chemical exfoliants so I don’t have lots of dead skin pilling up or sloughing off when I use it, my skin is, for the most part, already very smooth outside the acne and CCs. Occasionally I’ll apply it further down my neck/decolletage than usual and WOW do I old skin just ball up and peel right away – it’s so gross but also satisfying. So those that don’t exfoliate often or are new to BHA/AHAs will likely have issues with foundation until their skin adjusts (but it will adjust). My advice in those cases is to either use this at night for the first few weeks or just accept going barefaced for a little while if you can.I’d strongly suggest not applying this product over anything that you feel does not dry down fully, the times I’ve attempted to use it after serums or heavier products it takes forever to sink in and sometimes never fully does. I save all my serums and essences for after this has absorbed and it’s far easier to work with it as a result. My steps go like this most days: ACWell Licorice toner — PC 2% BHA — 10% Niacinamide serum — TO Matryxil serum — Secret Key Black Snail cream or Syn-ake cream w/ 3 drops Stratia Fortify oil — Sunscreen.It works fairly quickly IMO, on my neck where I typically don’t apply my Tret at night I noticed the peeling and balling of dead skin on day one and on my face where I have a patch of really awful CCs I noticed them getting smaller and smoother by around day 3-4. I’m going on about 8 days now and they’re barely visible unless I’m right up in the mirror and feel as if they’re almost gone when I touch my fingers to that area. I do have some slight peeling of the skin around my mouth and nose but it’s not terrible (likely because I already exfoliate the heck out of my skin with the tret).Some tips and things keep in mind:1)DO NOT RINSE IT OFF. I don’t understand some of the top reviews advising people to do that, it says on the bottle not to rinse and nearly all chemical exfoliators are meant to be left on until the next cleansing specifically so they can do their job. If you rinse it off you’re either going to prevent it from properly exfoliating or end up irritating the hell out of your skin. If you have oily skin and feel this might be heavy on you than you can probably just use this on bare skin and then sunscreen if you use in the AM or a lightweight lotion/cream and be done with it, but you need to leave it on your skin.2)You have got to use sunscreen while you’re using this product! Any BHA or AHA exfoliant causes increased sun sensitivity and you have to address that in your routine. You should already use sunscreen daily but it becomes a must when you incorporate a chemical exfoliator or you risk sun damage.3)Less is more! Don’t slop this on your face or soak a cotton pad in it, a little goes a long way and you’ll be kicking yourself if you apply way too much and have to wait 20+ minutes for it to sink in. Use a shake or two and add more if needed but go easy.4)Expect some irritation initially. Chemical exfoliants can be harsh and rough even on sturdy skin and you have to give yourself time to adjust. Over-exfoliation is a possibility but sometimes just introducing a BHA or AHA into your routine can cause some sensitivity. Don’t panic and just be gentle to your skin. Use ceramides (like Cerave Skin Renewing cream) or fatty oils to soothe your face if needed and try to stay away from any harsh products or acids like Vitamin C right after applying this to avoid really burning your face.
The Agothicary –
I usually have combination skin. Some days it’s extra oily and some days it’s dry. One thing is for certain, after working long hours or having busy days where I can’t properly take care of my skin the touch of my face feels almost grainy or slightly bumpy from all the dead skin I KNOW is there. I have exfoliates and face wash I use in the shower, but it doesn’t always work. I bought Paula’s Choice as I was looking for something heavier duty and to put myself out on a limb to give a facial cream a go. I don’t usually buy extra face “stuff” because I don’t like a lot of product on my skin.However, this has been a game changer for my after shower routine. I know many reviewers have their ways they like to apply it or add it to their skin care routine. But for me, I do my usual face wash in the shower or sink, pat my skin dry and then apply this serum directly all over my face and neck. My skin has never been so soft. The first time using it my face tingled a bit as I’m sure it was murdering whatever was on my skin that didn’t need to be there. After a week of use, I kept touching my face and remarking how soft it felt. I actually didn’t mind my bf touching my skin for once. It does actually remove dead skin and I can feel it when I rub my fingers over it. Sometimes there is a little flaky but it’s doing its job. It keeps my skin hydrated and I personally only use it once a day. Some may use it more often. It lasts a long time and you don’t need a lot either.Fair price to pay for this serum. It’s a game changer and finally something I’ll buy again and again. As for the “taste”, it’s not a pleasant taste if you happen to get some on your mouth. Just wipe with a damp cloth and carry on. Good job, Paula!
DM –
Here’s the latest and greatest addition to my skincare routine, it’s been a few weeks and I almost quit it but I’m seriously now seeing results. Blotchy uneven skin tone and sun spots are gone, forehead lines are less noticeable, blackheads and clogged pores are gone, and pores got tiny. I dab a few drops on fingers and gently massage onto my face after washing up at bed, wait ten mins or so till it’s fully absorbed and not tacky anymore, then apply nighttime moisturizer.
Drier than the desert itself –
I have had blackheads all over my nose for years, nothing ever got rid of them. Recently I used a pore strip (please I was desperate) and apart from getting more blackheads on my nose, I suddenly started getting some on my cheeks. I bought this to help because my face was resembling a strawberry. I patch-tested it (like you should every product) and began slowly incorporating it into my skincare by using it once every third day at night. DO NOT USE IT EVERYDAY, listen to me on that one. I entered the purging stage ( I broke out) which is completely normal when using a new product since your skin needs to push everything out from underneath. Remember, it gets worse before it gets better. I have been using it for about 4 weeks now and have now switched to using it every other day. I can tell it has helped. I only have 3 barely visible blackheads on my cheek in comparison to having about 12 before. On my nose, I have noticed a couple gone and a lot that have become smaller. some even on the surface. The blackheads on my nose will take longer because they are way deeper and have been there for years. Mine didn’t have any weird smell, it smelt like nothing. If you are to buy this, make sure you use it at night, slowly incorporate it into your skin, and take into consideration that you will probably break out. Thats it, buy it or don’t.
Clifford Barnes –
I received the product exfoliator today and first try I definitely noticed the glow it left on my face. My face was tacky at first to the touch, but the instructions said to leave it on. Over time it absorbed into my skin and dried up. (Unfortunately I didn’t calculate the time.) Once that happened my skin felt softer and smoother but not dried out. I did feel a little tingling on my face for those with sensitive skin. So far I am very pleased with this product.