Paula’s Choice SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant-Facial Exfoliant for Blackheads, Enlarged Pores, Wrinkles & Fine Lines

12 reviews for Paula’s Choice SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant-Facial Exfoliant for Blackheads, Enlarged Pores, Wrinkles & Fine Lines

1. 

   Audrey S. – November 29, 2024

   If you actually understand how to use it, it’s amazing.
   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.

2. 

   HMP – November 29, 2024

   Honest review
   I am 33 and a sun lover. My entire teen life I was outside tanning during the summer, and hitting up the tanning beds in the winter. I don’t have a terrible amount of sun damage on my face, but enough to make me not appreciate what I have done to myself lol I have veeerryyy sensitive skin and break out easily. So far this hasn’t caused me anything serious break out. I do use retinol, so I have been rotating this every other night and my retinol every other night. I think I pulled a “user” error and over did it cause I did have some pretty good irritation for about a week, but once I cut back to using it twice a week instead of every other day the irritation went away.I haven’t seen any difference quote yet in my skin but I have only used it got about 2-3 weeks. I do have high hope though due to all the positive reviews.It has almost like a oil like texture to is, it glides on very smoothly, not watery but once its on the skin and dries down its like you have nothing on your face.So far I would say 10/10 recommend

3. 

   Candy – November 29, 2024

   Pores no more
   I have used Paula’s choice products over the years, but I Always skipped this step because I was always afraid of salicylic acid ingredient because in the past I’ve used acne products with that ingredient that dried out my skin so bad and made my hormonal acne worse growing up so I would stay so far away from that ingredient. However, now that I’m middle-aged, I don’t get acne, but I noticed that my pores were noticeable, never had Noticeable pores before Now I have wanted to kick myself in the butt for skipping the step because it does not dry your skin out. Paula is brilliant with her formulations, my make up was looking ugly on my skin and it completely got rid of the texture and my pores. It gave me that glass skin that everyone craves. I love it so much that I tell everybody to try this product. I’m so irritated that I slept on this Liquid exfoliant! It’s viral for a reason! Just buy it!

4. 

   TAMMI H. – November 29, 2024

   An Ok product.
   Need to be consistent when using it, in order to see results.

5. 

   Shopaholic – November 29, 2024

   Minimized my nose pores!
   I’ve used all different products to wash my face but I always had a problem with enlarged pores, especially on my nose. I’ve used this product for 6 months and it has significantly reduced the size of my pores. It’s an odorless, light formula. I apply it with a cotton ball after washing my face and before I sleep. It does not leave my face dry. It actually leaves it nice and soft. I highly recommend this product!

6. 

   Chris – November 29, 2024

   I stopped using Obagi SA
   Obagi SA was the thing but I don’t think people who formulated it knows acne prone skin. While my skin was already inflamed, they put methol (or stuff that tingles) in it. And I could never use it daily because my skin couldn’t handle it. Paula’s is different, actually made for facial skin and not foot skin :B Super gentle, no weird alcohol smell that makes my nose hurt. The thing we do for acne prone skin. Thanks for such a great potent yet gentle product.

7. 

   Amore – November 29, 2024

   Not My Favorite from the Paula’s Choice Lineup
   Since menopause, although my skin is still oily in areas and I seem to retain a build-up of dead, dull skin, especially in those oily zones. I have to admit, I was using a facial cleanser from a pricey cosmetic site that was great because you would gently exfoliate your skin, leave it on for a short time, then rinse it off. However, that product was expensive, and inconvenient because I had to pay for shipping, unless I spent a bit more. So, I was looking for a replacement. I chose Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting Exfoliant because I love other products from the company. It has Salicylic Acid, which is good for the skin and, according to other reviews, exfoliates well. The problem is that you wash your face, then apply this product and leave it on. Unfortunately, I find it somewhat oily and can feel it on my skin, which is uncomfortable. Because of that, I use it only at bedtime. So far, it hasn’t worked as well as the previous product. I’m uncertain if this is because it isn’t as effective, or because I don’t use it as much as I should since I don’t like the way it feels. So, for me, it isn’t the right product to fit my needs.

8. 

   Ivan Cota – November 29, 2024

   No creí que fuera a tener tanta diferencia pero veo mi piel con un mucho menos textura por parte de mis poros, particularmente alrededor de mi nariz y cerca de la boca.Importantísimo, y es algo que no sabia. Déjala actuar, después de aplicar sobre un rostro limpio, durante un mínimo de 30 minutos.Si buscas el porque, te lo podrá explicar mejor que yo, pero mire resultados mucho mas rápido después de hacer eso.La recomiendan muchísimo y ya veo por que.La botella grande fácil te dura mas del año; lo que para mi, justifica el precio.Yo me pongo unas gotas en la palma de la mano y la aplico con un dedo sobre mi rostro. Puedes usar un algodón pero se me hace un desperdicio y consumes mas producto.

9. 

   Juan Mendoza – November 29, 2024

   Muy bueno he notado cambios en piel, incluso han disminuido los puntos negros en mi nariz.

10. 

    Janaina – November 29, 2024

     

11. 

    Alex – November 29, 2024

    This is my first ever chemical exfoliant. I’ve used a BHA product in the past, but I didn’t find it did anything substantial to my skin and thus, never really thought to go back to it. However, this product came highly recommended and I decided to give it a shot.Note about my skin: I tend toward dry skin that can be pimple-prone in the chin (and more recently neck!) area. I have enlarged pores on my nose and occasionally on my cheeks. My skin is also uneven and I have brown spots from prior cystic acne. I picked up this product to, thus, help with the occasional pimple, enlarged pores, and unevenness in skin tone. My husband also shares this product with me, though he has oily skin and his problem is enlarged pores around the nose and cheeks with the occasional pimple in these areas.Because my skin is on the drier side and I use a physical exfoliant around three times a week, I use this product max twice a week on the days I would use a hydrating cleanser. Application is about a nickel-sized amount on my fingers that I then rub in. I’ve used it for about two months at this point.I will say this product, even with minimal use, helped with my skin texture. Before my skin tended to feel very dull and I’ve noticed a difference. My brown spots have not changed since using, but I also didn’t expect any change since I use the product so infrequently and haven’t used it for long.Prior to using this BHA formulation, my pimples were frequent – probably having a new one once the last one healed. Initial use didn’t eradicate the pimples, but it sped up the healing process substantially. I don’t think I’ve had a new pimple now for the past month.My skin is generally fine after using, though it will feel dry if I don’t put on a moisturising cream right away (I tend to wait 30 minutes after application to be sure the BHAs have time to do their thing). However, this isn’t out of the ordinary for me in general even when I gently cleanse.I can’t say I’ve noticed a difference in pore size, but I’m willing to keep using it given the other pros. I’d also like to see if this will become more noticeable with prolonged use.As for my husband, who uses it as frequently as I do, it has helped with skin tone as well as keeping pimples at bay. Once again, no big difference in pore size.Overall, definitely a great BHA product if you’re in the market for one (and have the funds to buy it). If you have the occasional pimple that seems to take forever to heal and your skin feels very dull in general, I’d definitely say try this product out. If you have dry skin, it would be a good idea to build up usage in case it really irritates your skin. If you’re only looking to use it for enlarged pores, I personally have not noticed a difference, but I also only use it once a week and I’ve only used it for two months. Take that as you will.

12. 

    Varun Deshpande – November 29, 2024

    Bought it on recommendation, tested and have seen excellent results