Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant, Facial Exfoliator for Blackheads, Large Pores, Wrinkles & Fine Lines
[{'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2020', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': "My skin type:\n\n- Very Dry, easily dehydrated\n- Oily nose\n- Prone to stubborn acne and closed comedones\n- Redness on chin and cheeks (not rosacea)\n\nI 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.\n\nIt'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.\n\nI'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.\n\nIt 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).\n\nSome tips and things keep in mind:\n\n1)\nDO 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.\n\n2)\nYou 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.\n\n3)\nLess 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.\n\n4)\nExpect 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."}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2019', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'I have every skin issue you can think of. Rosacea, acne (hormonal, cycstic, Whiteheads, blackheads), dehydration, excessive oiliness, redness, all of it. I’ve spent probably thousands on a multitude of different products, trying to find one that would at least make a dent. I’ve had many procedures, many trips to the dermatologist. Nothing I’ve ever used, nothing I’ve ever done, has made such a profound difference in the appearance of my skin. Having rosacea, my face often felt hot, bumpy, and burned. While my conplexion is naturally fair and pink, this has seriously covered all my bases in a gentle and effective way. I’ve been trying to turn my skin around for YEARS!! this was the product that did it. If I could give it 100 stars i would. It has seriously changed my life!!! Also sorry for the nasty pictures haha'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2020', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': "My face was in a terrible state before this product. I looked like an alligator but not like those kinds Jimmy choo wants but more like the kinds you find in the Florida Everglades. Those wild ones that snap at humans out of jealousy for their glowing, smooth skin. I've been using the product exactly two weeks and applying twice daily as instructed. Let me tell you it has changed the game for me! I've been single for ten years now. But after two short weeks I've now been on 3 dates, had a marriage proposal, somebody's husband is my DM and a guy even offered me a puppy. Of course the puppy guy is now my commited boyfriend (but I digress) . All I'm saying is... I don't make milkshakes so it has to be this exfoliate bringing all the boys to my yard.\n\nPs. I have very sensitive skin and haven't experienced any burning or discomfort with the product thus far. Bye."}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2018', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': "This stuff should be called a miracle in a bottle. When I use it on my (pretty dry) skin, it transforms it from congested, irritated, and bright red to calm, clear, and glowing overnight.\n\nMost of the people reviewing this are using it incorrectly. It's an acid exfoliator. That means you should use it once a week, twice at the most (if your skin is oily and needs a lot of work.) It is not supposed to soak into your skin. You should keep feeling that greasy sensation until you wash it off. Also, it should never be used during the daytime. BHA, or salicylic acid, interacts terribly with the sun. If you absolutely must put it on in the morning, follow it up with heavy SPF, but I wouldn't do it.\n\nThis stuff is like anything else- it only works if you know how to do it properly."}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2018', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'There’s a lot of misinformation in other reviews about this product. This is a chemical exfoliant, so there is no need for additional chemical or physical exfoliants in your regimen unless you know your skin can handle it. Also, this product may cause your skin to purge. I have been using this product for 2 weeks and my skin is in the purge process. Yes, I have a few breakouts right now but I can already see improvement in enlarged pores, fine lines, and I’m able to extract black heads very easily (I use an extractor, never fingers!) It is normal for skin to purge on chemical exfoliants, and means that your skin is reacting positively to the ingredients. Do your research about BHA’s prior to starting this product! It’s not a toner or a cleanser either, and can cause your skin to react badly if you get too much sun exposure without SPF. Further, the bottle states to use twice daily. I wouldn’t suggest that, start every other day or once day and increase as needed. It takes at least 30+ days for people to see results with most skincare, so don’t write this product off if you start breaking out. I fully recommend this! I am in my late 20’s, have combo and acne prone skin.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2018', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'These really work at keeping my sebaceous filaments down. If I dont use this, my nose will feel almost bumpy/prickly with my clogged pores. One use of this really helps and results are felt/seen overnight! I only use it 2-3x a week because if I use it any more than that then I will break out in really big cyst-like pimples. When I first incorporated this into my routine, I only started at 1x per week then found my sweet spot at 2-3x per week.\nI use only at night and swipe it with a square cotton pad. I make sure to wait 20 min until I continue my skincare routine. It does feel a little residue-y after, like almost oily but not.\nOverall, they last quite awhile since you dont need much with every use. I like this product and will stick with it.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2019', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-4 review-rating', 'review_body': 'Was skeptical because if didn’t have a seal on. Used it once at bed time and started noticing results after 2 weeks of use. Still using it every night and forehead is clear.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2019', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-4 review-rating', 'review_body': 'This stuff is amazing I used it just for a week n I see so much of a difference in my skin it literally is a solution for all ur skin problems please give it a try and you will thank me later. I love how it makes your own skin look so filtered like a camera filter skin'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2021', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'I have been trying for over 2 years to get rid of a small hard pimple on my forehead after using one bad product for a week that gave me small hard bumps on my forehead. I spent months trying to remove the others, they were so irritating I would have done anything to remove them- I had a sort of OCD about it, it was so frustrating and all I focused on even tho people told me they weren’t noticeable. After using serums and so many other EXPENSIVE skincare products/facials/seeing a esthetician even (who said a tool would be needed to pierce the skin and release these hard bumps since they were so deep) I resorted to trying to squeeze them out and use my own sterile skincare tool I purchased at home to remove them (TMI I know but this is skincare and someone might relate to my misfortune and low point of trying mostly anything at-home) but it actually worked for every bump but one. I decided not to force it but was so frustrated with this small hard microscopic rock under my skin. I keep trying skincare and nothing worked. Until I tried this. I bought the 1oz travel size thinking- why not try it out? First thoughts? It’s like a small bottle of water? What could this possibly do? It also has a chemical smell and I immediately thought, can this be safe? I smells HARDCORE. But I tried this, and ONLY this, on the problem area for 3 months and it’s FINALLY come out and to the surface so I could remove it like any other blemish. This product is literally the ONLY thing that worked and I am so grateful! It took 3 months but that’s well worth the lifetime that would have likely spent under my skin. It’s been over two years of trying everything and this was the product that worked. Thank you so much for this you truly have made my life better!! I highly recommend this!'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2020', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-1 review-rating', 'review_body': 'This tiny overpriced bottle contains unholy water blessed by Lucifer himself. If you enjoy the feeling of wanting to claw your face off but you can’t scratch it because it also burns like you just took a bristle pad to your dry face and then squeezed an entire lime right over it and topped it off with some course salt, this may be the product for you. I used it ONE time and my face is hotter than a billy goat with a blowtorch. There’s “purging” and then there’s dumping 3 gallons of gasoline on your face and blowing out a candle. Don’t buy into the hype. Save your skin.'}]