Review bha clear paulas choice

Are you falling into the Paula’s Choice BHA trend? I absolutely did. Find out my Paula’s Choice BHA review and how it cleared the majority of my breakouts in 7 days.

Review bha clear paulas choice
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

At first, I was skeptical about Paula’s Choice BHA 2% Liquid Exfoliant. I assumed the product was too strong for my sensitive skin. Although it was everywhere on social media so I caved.

I gave it a go when my hormonal acne broke out more than usual. Tiny bumps spread across my forehead and pimples rose on my cheeks. My skin felt rough and had an uneven tone. The exfoliate seemed like my only solution.

Here’s my Paul’s Choice BHA review and the result after just one week of use.

My Skin Type

I have sensitive, combination, and hormonal acne skin. It can be challenging to find an acne-fighting product that works without irritating my skin. Find out my PCOS skincare routine.

Review bha clear paulas choice
Day 5, Day 6, and Day 7 (left to right)

Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant reduced my breakouts by ~70% after 3 days of using it at night! Note that timing is different for everyone. After 7 days of use, my skin felt smoother and softer. It may take 5-14 days to see results (source) Don’t give up!

Initially, my reactive skin had zero irritations and redness. I was extremely relieved as most acne products were too strong for me. Just avoid eczema spots or any other sensitive areas on your face.

The only downside but not a deal-breaker was that the exfoliant made my skin drier than usual. After my skin calmed down, I switched to only using it as a spot treatment once or twice a week when needed. Try Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Ingredients

Let’s find out why Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant works. According to Paula’s Choice website, here are their key ingredients:

  • Green Tea: Soothes the skin. Has anti-aging benefits. Improves sun damage.
  • Salicylic Acid (BHA): Sheds off dead skin that can cause breakouts. Clears and minimizes pores. Reduces fine lines and wrinkles.

Check out Paula’s Choice BHA Exfoliate site to read the rest of their ingredients.

Note: Consult your physician if you’re unsure about the ingredients and/or have a salicylate allergy.

What is BHA?

It is an organic acid that is typically used in skincare. The chemical exfoliate treats signs of aging and acne. BHA also has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. The most common BHA used in skincare is Salicylic acid. (source)

Look & Feel

It’s a clear liquid that temporarily feels slightly slimy. Although it has zero stickiness.

Fragrance

No scent.

How To Use

For first-time users, Paula’s Choice recommends applying the exfoliate every other day. Monitor your skin’s responses. Then use it up to twice a day, if needed.

For morning application, apply SPF 30+ on the face. For nighttime, incorporate it into your skincare routine.

Just watch out for any excessive dryness on your skin. After a week of use, I took a pause on the toner and only used moisturizing skin care products until my face felt normal again.

Below is Paula’s Choice recommended skincare routine when using the BHA:

  1. Cleanser
  2. Toner
  3. BHA Exfoliate with hands or a cotton pad (I used a cotton pad)
  4. Treatment
  5. Moisturizer
  6. Sunscreen for AM

I follow a similar step except I apply toner before the exfoliate. You can watch it here

Unsure about using the product? Check with your physician.

Packaging

I bought the 4oz bottle since that was the only size available. Paula’s choice has a travel size if you want to test it with a smaller bottle. Try Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Price

It’s an average to low price for a medium high-end skin brand. I would re-purchase the bottle because it works for my skin without completely breaking my wallet.

Blackheads (and their sinister cousin, whiteheads) have plagued me for years; they simply cannot let me go. Across my T-zone, I have pretty large pores going on that cannot resist getting filled with gunk. After years of skin torture in the form of Biore pore strips and ultra strong peel-off masks, I was left with blackheads and a load of irritation. I have tried anything and everything in my quest to send blackheads to that place that Gandalf fell, including a memorable incident with a pore vacuum, which I can heartily say I do not recommend. While it turns out expecting instant results was getting me nowhere (who knew?), I have stumbled upon a cult favorite product I would happily douse my face in for the rest of my life.

Review bha clear paulas choice

I routinely spend time google researching blackhead remedies while binging The Great British Baking Show (don’t you?), and unfailingly, the Paula’s Choice BHA exfoliant would appear in comments and on message boards surrounded by words like magic, life-changing, and undeniable. It’s a chemical exfoliator, which means it doesn’t require those skin-shredding granules I used to slather over my face in middle school.

“I recommend ‘chemical’ exfoliation over physical, meaning using an acid or enzyme to exfoliate instead of physical particles as in a scrub,” said Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, dermatologist and owner of Dr. Loretta Skincare. “With physical exfoliation, you’re removing only surface dead cells. With a chemical exfoliant like AHA/glycolic, BHA/salicylic, or an enzyme, you’re removing cells both in pores as well as on skin’s surface.”

Review bha clear paulas choice

I caved and bought the 2% BHA Exfoliant so I could test the magic for myself about eight months ago. The formula takes a moment to get used to—initially, I was really skeptical since it feels quite oily on the skin. I was expecting more of a light zingy feeling, and instead, it has more of an oil-based slick quality. I apply it with a cotton round and concentrate it on the areas where my blackheads like to congregate—mainly my nose, upper lip (sexy!), and chin.

Despite my doubts, I’ve actually gotten used to how the formula feels, and after around eight months of use, it’s made my hallowed list of auto-buy repurchases. My favorite part is how gentle it feels with no burning, itching, or stinging like other exfoliators—both chemical and physical—that I’ve tried. All Paula’s Choice products are fragrance-free as well, which is a welcome respite from recent overly-scented launches (Fenty Skin, I’m looking at you).

I’ve worked up to using it every night, and I’ve found that of all my lotions and potions, BHA (aka salicylic acid) works best for my skin in terms of refining texture and reducing pore blockage (my nemesis). I’m going to be real: I still have some blackheads. I think they may have decided to be with me forever, and who could blame them? But overall, the pores on my nose are less noticeable and enlarged and the skin on my cheeks and forehead feels buttery smooth, which wasn’t my intention in using this product but is a delightful side effect. Here’s a photo I would use to announce the Exfoliant and I are engaged:

Review bha clear paulas choice

In general when I’m having skin woes, I go back to the drawing board with my tried-and-true products I know work and don’t irritate my skin. The 2% BHA Exfoliant always makes the list, along with a gentle cleanser and hyaluronic acid serum. And of course, sunscreen.

Can Paula's Choice 2% BHA be used everyday?

Start Slowly: Apply every other day and note skin's response. Then use up to twice daily. For daytime, always finish with SPF 30+. For nighttime, follow with the rest of your routine.

Is Paula's Choice good for clearing acne?

What does it do? Works to lessen excess oil, unclog and shrink enlarged pores, and help you control stubborn acne breakouts. Unlike most anti-acne products, the CLEAR collection works without causing dryness or redness, or exposing skin to harsh ingredients like alcohol, menthol, and eucalyptus.

How long does it take to see results from Paula's BHA?

Depending on the products you were using before, you may see overnight improvement. Enhanced results will occur within 2–8 weeks and will increase and be maintained over time.

How long does Paula's Choice take to clear skin?

Give it a week bc your skin may need time. Once a day will give results anyway. Once you've adjusted, and you see that you could use more treatment... add a second wash and toner.