Review: Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Assalamualaikum and hello my beautiful readers.

I think it is time for me to post a full review on this Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant. I have been using it (on and off) for almost 2 months now. I did tweet/post on instagram about it after using it for few days. So yeah. Let's jump on it!

PRODUCT INFO

This completely gentle, leave-on exfoliant rapidly unclogs pores, diminishes wrinkles and improves skin tone to reveal unbelievably smooth, radiant skin.

Acne Breakouts, Anti-Aging, Blackheads, Enlarged Pores, Keratosis Pilaris, Redness, Rosacea, Wrinkles

For All Skin Types

> 2% BHA unclogs & diminishes enlarged pores & builds collagen

> Green Tea Extract & soothing ingredients reduce redness & irritation

> Dramatically improves skin’s texture for radiant, even-toned skin

> Lightweight, non-abrasive formula allows for rapid, deep exfoliation

> Clinically proven to hydrate, brighten & reduce fine lines

What makes this product unique?

Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant rapidly exfoliates both the skin's surface and inside the pore, reshaping the pore lining, unclogging pores and improving vitally important skin cell renewal. The result is a dramatic improvement in the skin's appearance, feel and function, which leads to healthier skin and a noticeable improvement in wrinkles.

There is a great deal of research indicating that BHA (salicylic acid) increases collagen production and drastically smooths the surface of skin. Additionally, BHA has antibacterial properties that can immediately stop blemish-causing bacteria. The lightweight liquid formula allows for a faster, but gentle, deep exfoliation rate than our gel or lotion BHA products, so it's an ideal choice for stubborn clogged pores or blackheads.

This product is 100% fragrance- and colorant-free with a pH range of 3.2-3.8. Every Paula's Choice BHA product is formulated with additional soothing agents.

Who is this product for?

All skin types may use this product, but the texture is especially suited for those with normal to oily or combination skin, stubborn blackheads, and blemish-prone skin.

NOTE: Those allergic to aspirin (acetylsalicylate) should not use products containing salicylic acid (beta hydroxy acid).

How to use: Apply once or twice daily after cleansing and toning. Lightly soak a cotton pad and apply over the entire face, including the eye area (avoid the lower lash line and eyelids). Do not rinse. For daytime, follow with a broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 25 or greater.

INGREDIENTS

Water, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol (slip agents/penetration enhancers), Salicylic Acid (beta hydroxy acid/exfoliant), Camellia Oleifera (Green Tea) Leaf Extract (anti-irritant/antioxidant), Polysorbate-20 (solubolizing agent), Sodium Hydroxide (pH balancer), Tetrasodium EDTA (chelating agent).

Reference (source from Skindeep)

Low Hazard

Moderate Hazard

High Hazard

REVIEW

So few months back, dekat office aku ada buat macam free skin analysis so aku pon kena lah pergi hohoh. And the doctor (Dr Riza, founder Ariana Ming Beauty), she said my skin surface okay tapi bawah layer apa semua tu banyak dead skin cells so I have to use exfoliator yang boleh penetrate deep into few layers of skin... Blabla science stuff. Story more kat sini.

So first impression, sticky but after 1 hour or so my skin felt so smooth and just so plumped! I was really excited ya know. But I noticed, I felt a little tingling on my face well since it is a chemical exfoliant. Duh Pah. LOL. I used it for 4 nights straight then the next day, I noticed my skin was peeling. It's not like peeling badly but more of a "oh hello dead skin here, need more moisturizer girl". I didn't feel pain or pedih or anything. So I stopped, since my big day was getting nearer (at that time) plus I was going to do some facial and whatnot. Just to be safe, I stopped lah.

At that time, I treated my skin using gentle cleanser like Cetaphil. It is the most gentle cleanser I have on hand. It is the sample that they sent over (kan ada hari tu dia suruh masukkan address untuk hantar sample apa semua dapat moisturizer sekali LOL). I use it with a silicone face brush like the Sephora Cleansing Pad but I bought it at MR DIY for 3 bucks. LOL. So I swirled it around with that pad and Cetaphil and I just moisturize my skin as usual. I read that if you just did the chemical peeling and all, you don't have to over-moisturize your skin. After 3 days, my dry patches were almost gone.

I tried to use the chemical exfoliant on a daily basis, but it stinged so much so I stopped and just use it like maybe 4 days and then stop for few days to recover. I changed my method of treating my skin. I now use Philosophy Purity to cleanse my skin and after that I applied any moisturizing sheet mask that I have on hand. After 20 mins or so, I wiped my face with the essence on the sheet mask and let it dry for few mins and then I apply rose hip oil and my night cream. My skin feels really supple the next morning and no more dry patches!

I figured that as long as you use like a very hydrating cream, you won't get dry patches. Like I said, you just really have to moisturizer VERY WELL right after you use the chemical exfoliant or else your face will feel so dry the next morning. Oh and when you put the product on your cotton pad like on your fingers, your fingers pon boleh peeling sekali. See how strong it is?

I have been using this now for almost 2 months now and I have no breakouts using it this entire time. I read online that some people were having bad breakouts while using BHA exfoliant. So if you guys still want to try but afraid you're gonna breakout or something, I suggest you guys go for something light, like Hada Labo Mild Peeling Lotion. Again, no guarantee that it won't break you out but it is "mild" so the risk is lower than using other exfoliant maybe? Hahaha. IDK man.

It is not an affordable product as it is from the US. You can try the sample size (30ml), price is RM69 (RM2,30/ml). It is still pricey as heck but I think 30ml can last you about 2-3 months depending on your usage because you don't really need a lot, just few drops and you're good to go. A little goes a long way. The full size bottle is about RM165 for 118ml (RM1.40/ml). Like I said, it's not affordable but this bottle alone could last you up maybe more than 6 months. I have been using it for 2 months and still has a lot of product left. Plus I don't use it that often so yeah.

They also have gel and lotion exfoliant but some people argue that gel and lotion has more ingredients in it so it's not as potent as the liquid exfoliant. Some also claimed that the lotion and gel works slower than the liquid ones. They all have the same price so it's up to yall lah, which one you want to use lah. Maybe the gel and lotion is not harsh as the liquid ones. Again, ikut preferences korang lah.

Oh, I actually purchased this from Worthee Cosmetics website. Someone recommended it to me and they have the best Customer Service ever! So efficient and super nice! Every month, they will have special promo and whatnot so you guys can go check em out. For June promo, they have 15% off on CLEAR Collection and Top-Rated Moisturizers! Go ahead check em out! And if you're lucky, maybe you'll get vouchers from them too! :O

Pros:
Feels like new skin
Feels brighten, not dull anymore
Pores are tighter than before

Cons:
Drying
Stings a bit

Final thoughts: After using this for almost 2 months now, I feel like this is the only product that really works with my problematic skin. Like my skin is not fully firmed or tight or anything macam pakai botox pon but I can see improvements. I have large pores, clogged pores, cystic acnes, redness... My redness is still visible and now I am more confident not to use any smoothing primer all over my face before foundation. Before this, aku mesti kena pakai smoothing primer because my pores were like so large, I fricking hate it. Now, I don't use primer on a daily basis and my skin looks pretty flawless, ada lah few holes here and there but it's better than before. I swear by this product, worth every penny. I don't care if it's pricey, it works wonder on me. Love it. Didn't have any ragrets.

Rating: ★★★★★

So yeah. I hope yall find this helpful in anyway.

Thank you for reading ! <3


.iffahs


MOOOOAAARRRRRR
Worthee Cosmetics 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Paula's Choice Singapore

Paula's Choice Website - 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Paula's Choice Website - 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant
Paula's Choice Website - 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant

Hada Labo Mild Peeling Lotion - Watson's , Guardian

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