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.
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Paulas Choice--SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant--Facial Exfoliant for Blackheads, Enlarged Pores, Wrinkles & Fine Lines, 4 oz Bottle
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Almost gave up...don't! PCOS acne sufferer!
Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2022
Photo of all products I use plus - Full AM & PM skincare routine at bottomThis review is based on my experience as a 34-yr old woman diagnosed with PCOS. I've been struggling with acne, cystic acne, and rosacea for almost 11 years. I used to take super powerful medicine...don't do it. It screws up your hormones even more in the long run. Acne is a huge part of PCOS, and can get out of control very quickly. Keep in mind that I have also been implanting new diet changes (DF, GF, sugar free, no eggs, no grain, low carb) and supplements as directed by my Naturopath.I was desperate to finally change my skin. I had to be in my brother's wedding in 6 weeks, and I so badly wanted to feel confident in my skin. It was risky . There was no guarantee that my skin would be done purging by the time 6 weeks rolled around, but I took the risk. Surprisingly, the first week, my skin cleared up nicely. But then...into week 2 began the purge. Mind you, my purge wasn't crazy. It was small pimples, but a lot of them; with new ones every single day. Cystic acne under jawline was constant, but manageable. I already had a pretty strict skincare routine before trying this, so I feel like my skin wasn't as bad a say someone who's skincare routine is less strict.As you can see from the photos, I had a couple purging periods. The first was at it's worst around 30 days of daily (once a day) use of Paula's Choice Exfoliate. It seemed to follow my menstrual cycle a bit, but my good days were few and far between for the first two months. By the end of May, I was beginning to think it wasn't working for me. The week before the wedding rolls around, and I get a large cystic bump on my chin, very red, with little pain, though. This could have just been stress, not sure? Fast forward to mid-June. As I'm writing this, it has been a solid week and a half since I've experienced a fresh breakout. My old acne is healing, and my scars are beginning to fade. It's also important to note that I started using the CeraVe SA Cleanser AM and PM a couple weeks before the wedding. And since I've been using it, I feel like my skin has really started to take a turn for the better.I wouldn't say that this product was 100% the reason for my skin looking the way it does now, but I do know that it has a large part to do with it. I don't expect my skin to be perfect forever, now. My skin still changes a lot throughout my cycle, so I expect the typical PMS breakouts, but this month has been very smooth sailing compared to the first two months, and it makes me REALLY excited!I love when people share their skincare routines. So if any other ladies out there who are PCOS sufferers, this is what my AM and PM routines look like.AM:1. Cleanse with CeraVe SA Cleanser (gently massage into face for 30 seconds) & rinse2. Apply The Ordinary's Naicinamide & Zinc Serum on damp skin (let sit for 1 minute)3. Apply Esmi Skin Probiotic Skin Mylck as my moisturizer (very light moisturizer - let sit 1 min)4. Apply DRMTLGY's Broad Spectrum 45spf Protect sunscreen (very important, very light, no white cast)PM:Double cleanse1. Cleanse once with Esmi Skin Minerals Uncomplicated Cleanser2. Cleanse again with CeraVe SA Cleanser (gentle massage for 30 seconds)3. Apply thin layer of Paula's Choice Exfoliate to damp/almost dry skin (wait 15 minutes)4. Apply Esmi Skin Minerals' Hyaluronic Serum (let sit for 1 minute)5. Apply Esmi Skin Minerals' Probiotic Skin Mylck6. Apply thin layer of Terminator Benzoyl Peroxide 10% to problem areas (massage in on top of moisturizer, I do this because it's too drying if I put it on underneath moisturizer)Don't make the mistake of putting the Paula's Choice Exfoliate on after skin completely dries. This dries me out very badly, and my skin will be tight all day the next day. I used to let it sit on my skin for 30 minutes before finishing my routine, but now I'm down to 15 minutes. I feel like it's still very effective.The Ordinary's Salicylic Acid 2% mask is also very useful to dry up an active breakout or encourage something under the skin to come to the surface. I usually only use this one time. Anymore than that on that same spot, and it'll turn red and be very dry (in my experience). Let the mask sit for 15 minutes. I only use a dab of it on the active acne spot. I don't know if I would have the courage to smear this over my entire chin/mouth area where I'm prone to breakouts. It's very drying stuff.I know this was long, but I hope that this will help someone else who may be experiencing not just adult hormonal acne, but acne caused by serious hormonal imbalances and insulin resistance due to PCOS. I FINALLY feel like I'm on the right track!
Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2022
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