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

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.

I’ve been using this Paula’s Choice exfoliant for a couple of months now, and it has completely changed the way my skin feels. I’ve tried a lot of facial exfoliants over the years, but this one stands out from everything else I’ve used. What I love most is that it’s both gentle and incredibly effective. It doesn’t leave my face feeling irritated or overly dry, yet I can actually feel it working. I use it once a week, and after each application my skin feels noticeably cleaner, smoother, and refreshed. It seems to clear out my pores better than anything else I’ve tried. The biggest sign that it’s working is that I know exactly when it’s time to use it again. If I go much longer than a week without it, my face starts to feel heavy and congested. After I use it, that feeling is completely gone, and my skin feels light, clean, and renewed. A little goes a long way, so the bottle lasts longer than I expected. I was fortunate enough to catch it on Prime Day and immediately ordered two more bottles so I wouldn’t run out. That’s something I rarely do with skincare products, but this one has earned a permanent place in my routine. If you’re looking for an exfoliant that’s effective without being harsh, I highly recommend giving this one a try. It has made a noticeable difference in the texture and overall feel of my skin, and it’s easily one of the best skincare products I’ve purchased. Five stars without hesitation.

I have used products that are either too weak to notice any difference or so strong that my skin peels so badly that I'm embarrassed to leave my home. Paula's liquid exfoliant is absolutely amazing! It goes on like water and my initial impression was that it would do nothing. In fact, after my first (and literally every application since), I've been shocked at the improvement in my skin. Last week, I ran out of Paula's and decided to use my old tretinoin before bed. The next morning, my skin was coming off like a snake's skin in layers! It was so embarrassing that I actually called in sick to work, because my skin looked so horrible! I immediately ordered more of Paula's exfoliant. I had yet to venture out of my home, as my skin was coming off in literal sheets! And my face itched! If I scratched it, my skin would flake off like the worst dandruff anyone had ever seen. I was so embarrassed that I called in sick again that day. Thankfully, the Paula's exfoliation liquid came in that afternoon. I immediately applied it, and I reapplied it before bed that night. The following morning, my skin looked perfect! No more flaking or peeling off in sheets. No more itching. Paula's Skin Perfecting Exfoliant is both incredibly gentle and incredibly powerful! I honestly don't know how it can be so perfectly both gentle and powerful, but I will never go without it again. In fact, I'm buying it again today because of Prime Day and it's on sale. I wish I could afford to buy 50 refills now. I'm seldom this effusive in my praise, but I feel far more strongly about how fantastic this product is than I've been able to express here.

This has become a staple in my skincare routine — it works exactly as promised. The only downside is the price; it’s definitely on the higher end, but I think the effectiveness justifies the cost.

I’ve used quite a few exfoliating products over the years, but I keep coming back to this one because blackheads seem determined to make themselves at home in my pores. No matter how consistent I am with the rest of my skincare routine, they always find a way to show up, especially around my nose and chin. What I like most about this exfoliant is that it works without feeling harsh. It has a lightweight liquid texture that applies easily and absorbs quickly. Unlike physical scrubs that can leave my skin feeling irritated or over-exfoliated, this provides gentle chemical exfoliation with none of the rough scrubbing. My skin feels smoother after use, and I don’t get the tight, stripped feeling that some acne-focused products can cause. After using it regularly, I notice fewer clogged pores and a visible reduction in blackheads. My pores also look less noticeable, and my skin texture appears more even overall. It helps keep congestion under control before it turns into larger blemishes, which is a big reason why it has remained a staple in my routine. For me, this is one of those rare products that manages to be both effective and gentle at the same time. If blackheads and clogged pores are an ongoing battle, this has been one of the most reliable products I’ve found for keeping them under control while still being comfortable enough for regular use. Summary: This exfoliant has earned a permanent spot in my skincare routine. It helps reduce blackheads, keeps my pores looking clearer, and improves overall skin texture without irritating my skin. For anyone dealing with persistent pore congestion, it’s easy to see why this product has such a loyal following.

I was skeptical at first, because oftentimes something that’s so heavily praised online does not live up to the expectations. For about 3 days of constant use (my skin tolerates it) I didn’t see any effect and it slowly started to reinforce the initial skepticism. However, all has changed on day 4. When I was washing my face with water, I noticed that some white stuff comes off my skin in the areas where I’ve been applying this exfoliant. That’s how I knew it was definitely working. The texture is also very pleasant, it feels like water – not greasy, not heavy, and absorbs quickly. So far it seems like it might be my new “holy grail” as well.

I preface this with saying that my comments are about how this product was for me, and it may work differently or wonderfully for someone else. I was a user of a product called "The Ordinary", and that product was the same (2%) as this one, but more like a serum. I tried this one based on the reviews. I dislike the bottle and the way the product comes out. It's a thinner liquid, and can be messy. You do have to pour it into your hand, and work it onto your face from there, so some product gets wasted. I did not find this product to me more remarkable than the other I used, and I've given it a fair shot (months of using). I wrote the manufacturer about the packaging, and they responded politely. I don't think it will change though unless others say something. I'll finish this bottle since I paid for it, and will go back to the other product, as the serum is placed on my skin with a dropper, and is not messy or wasted. Hopefully others have a better experience.

Absolutely love this toner. Works amazingly on my skin. I’m 45 and have dry skin. Makes my skin look so good. Youthful glow and my dark spots are starting to fade. It’s amazing. Worth every penny

As someone who is a bit of a skin care addict I highly recommend this product! Especially if you have troublesome acne prone skin like me. I use this every other night in between using Paula’s choice retinol cream. It is also fantastic when you get a spot and need it to be gone ASAP! Just dab some on the affected area (I normally like to drench the area in it) and it will be gone or hugely reduced in a few days. If you can carefully remove any of the whitehead from the spot it will be gone even quicker. This product helps to bring everything out. It also doesn’t aggravate my skin like some anti-spot lotions can. Although I use this especially against spots, it does also help to make the skin smoother and more refined. By using Paula’s choice retinol and the BHA lotion on alternate nights, I’ve noticed an improvement in my over all skin tone. It looks supple, smoother, clearer and dewy.

Llevo años usando este producto porque me ayuda a controlar mis espinillas ocasionales. Mantiene los poros limpios y se notan menos. No podría estar sin él

Love this , it really works, skin became much prettier! Will buy again 👍

I love this exfoliator! It’s great for when my skin feels congested after a few days of wearing makeup, I use it around 2 times a week and over time it’s really helped my skin feel smoother and have less blemishes. I bought a mini one to take when I travel or stay at my partners, this is really useful!

De los mejores exfoliantes que he probado. La textura es súper ligera y cuando te lo pones la piel lo absorbe rapidísimo, dejando una capa muy ligera que hace que la piel se sienta súper suave. Pero el verdadero cambio se nota después de un rato, cuando ves la piel mucho más limpia y con una textura muchísimo más bonita. De verdad me sorprendió muchísimo este producto.