Is Paula’s Choice Skincare Good For Sensitive Skin? A Review

In my late teens, I remember when face scrubs were plastered all over the TV ads. It felt like they were deemed as the holy grail products for clearer skin. Fortunately for me, I was on a strict diet of Dove soap and water. I didn’t have that experience of physical scrubs creating micro tears in my skin barrier. I was very lucky to have missed out on most of the skincare horror stories. It wasn’t due to being careful. Skincare did not interest me in until I was in my mid- to late twenties. Once my skincare journey officially began, the first exfoliant that I decided to try was the Paula’s Choice Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant.

At the beginning of my journey, SokoGlam was my skincare bible. I learnt about skincare concerns, figuring out my skin type (dry, combination, normal etc.), product types, ingredients and more. Anytime I have questions or need to do some in-depth research about anything, I always refer to that website. Over time, I began to build upon my routine. Once I was interested in adding exfoliants, my research into products with salicylic acid for sensitive skin led me to Paula’s Choice. Early Spring 2020, I bit the bullet and purchased my first bottle.

Initial Thoughts

In the pursuit of even skin, Paula’s Choice is the first and only exfoliant that I have tried. I was hesitant trying but after a year of using it consistently, I saw the results. My skin is more even, pores are minimised and spots were “falling” into dust overnight. Six years later, it is still my gold standard and holy grail product for exfoliating my face and neck. There is no other reason for me to try anything else because it still does an incredible job. In sum, it caters to my skincare concerns and is a product that I use all year round.

Let’s explore this cult favourite brand, Paula’s Choice. Does it stand the test of time? Will it get the sensitive skin stamp of approval?

About Paula’s Choice: The Brand

For over three decades, Paula Begoun, the founder of the cult favourite brand, Paula’s Choice and a U.S. skincare expert has always told the truth about skincare. Twenty years before the launch of her brand, Paula was fired from her cosmetics counter job. She was too transparent with clients about what products could and could not do for their skin. Based from her own struggles with acne and eczema, from a very young age, she began her journey into the world of skincare. The emotional and physical pain of her skin care concerns, led Paula to author best-selling books about beauty and skincare and launch her brand. In 1995, Paula’s Choice, one of the first online beauty brands, was born. In 2000, the launch of the perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant became a global best seller and brought the brand the consistent cult following that it has today.

The value of the brand goes beyond truth and transparency. It has a foundation of sharing knowledge. By educating the world about the limitations and advancements of skincare and its ingredients. In 2002, the brand launched the Ingredient Directory to help both beauty editors and consumers alike. This directory is a testament to their ethos. Their consumers can find products that not only transforms their skin but also, renews their minds with evolving research. It also makes them aware to what healthy skin should like. They have established themselves as a brand that creates gentle skincare with ingredients that benefit the customers.

Their Visual Identity

If you take a look at the official Paula’s Choice Instagram page, you can see that it reflects their values about knowledge, transparency and truth. It is bright, colourful and uniformed. By scrolling through their page, you can see that their target audience is geared towards women in different age groups and a variety of lifestyles. They showcase that their products work if you live a very active lifestyle through athletes, women who have dealt with rough textures, bumps, dullness etc. In addition, every six to nine posts, there is a factsheet about specific ingredients, pairing tips, seasonal routine tips and more. Moreover, their visual identity highlights that their products are inclusive for skin colours and skin types. It evokes this feeling of confidence in yourself and in your skin without hesitation. That is the experience that their customers will feel when they try their products for the first time.

Disclaimer: This post does include some affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products that I have personally vetted.

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

What’s It For?

The Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is a daily exfoliating salicylic acid toner that delivers hydration, unclogs pores and controls oil for clear and glowing skin.

What’s In It?

Their 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is filled with some superstar and great ingredients that you would want to find in products that supports the skin’s barrier and is targeted towards sensitive skin. What makes this product a global best seller is that no ingredient is used as a filler. If it doesn’t add any value to the formula, the desired results and the benefits, it’s not in there. It has a combination of exfoliants, anti-oxidants, humectants and soothing ingredients.

• BHA (Salicylic acid) a gold standard ingredient that exfoliates the skin both on the surface and in the pores, and reduces inflammation.
• Camellia Oleifera (Green Tea) contains antioxidants and soothing benefits to improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin.
• Glycerin a natural moisturiser that keeps the skin hydrated and replenished.
• Hyaluronic acid replenishes and hydrates the skin giving it that dewy and healthy look.
• Panthenol also known as pro-vitamin B5, helps moisturise the skin and maintain a healthy skin barrier.

How Do You Use It?

The Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is for the beginning of your skincare routine after your cleanser and before your moisturiser. I prefer to pour a small amount on a cotton pad and dispense it evenly on my face, neck and behind my ears. Then I follow up with my essence and continue with my routine for that evening. I only use it at night. If you choose to use it during the day, you must end your routine with some sunscreen (SPF). If you choose to use it at night continue with the rest of your routine.

The Results & My Experience with Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

As I mentioned earlier, I was on a strict diet of Dove soap and water for my skincare routine. I was first introduced to this cult favourite brand through extensive research and reading reviews. It is the first and the only exfoliant that I’ve ever used. Never say never, but I haven’t compelled to try anything else because it does exactly what I need it to do.

When I first received the product in the post, I was a little hesitant to try it because the directions indicate that you should use the product every other day, then eventually switch to twice a day. I thought that was too much application for the concern that I had, which was evening out my skin tone. After a lot of thought, I stuck to twice a week and have not deviated from that for the last six years. One bottle can last me up to 5 months and I see results instantly. Within a week of using the product, my pores were no longer clogged. My enlarged pores on my nose shrink very fast. Whenever I can visibly see my clogged pores on my nose, that is a sign that I haven’t been consistent with my evening skincare routine.

Fast forward six years later, my experience with the 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant has not changed. There is a reason that it is a best seller product and it is holy grail staple in my routine. It has been a great introduction to exfoliants and what works for my skin.

Pricing/ Affordability

As for pricing ($37/£29), it is very affordable and it is easy to find through stockists, online and offline retailers. I was two years into my first full time job when I started using this product and it was something that I could easily afford on a lower salary. It has given me the confidence to not wear makeup to the office and weeks on end because my foundation and my skin tone is even.

Armpit care with Paula’s Choice

Two weeks ago, I had a severe allergic reaction to a deodorant in my armpits. Usually, I would run to grab a steroid cream such as hydrocortisone to tackle the problem. This time around I thought to myself, what if I try the 2% BHA exfoliant for under my pits? If it works for my face, surely for skin a little bit more sensitive. For this past week, I have been testing it every two days in the morning under my pits and the allergic reaction is disappearing. My skin is starting to become smooth and even out. I’m about to purchase the exfoliating toner pads to carry on the go when I feel an allergic reaction appearing.

Paula’s Choice Skincare Review: The Final Judgement

My final judgment? This is a fantastic product if you have sensitive as it is tailored towards us and gentle is the focus. It doesn’t matter if you have combination skin, dry skin, normal skin, or oily skin. If you have any kind of sensitivity, this is for you. It is fragrance free and alcohol free so that will reduce your hesitancy to test it out.

I think the Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant will benefit:

• People who are at the beginning of their skincare journey
• People who want a product that works, that is gentle and targets their specific skin concerns
• People who want effective, simple and versatile products to build their routines
• People who want healthy skin by keeping it even and smooth

If you are looking for a product that can be a staple in your routine that can stand the test of time, like I do, give this cult favourite brand a try. I have been repurchasing this product without fail for the last six years and that is not going to change. My current bottle is a little over half way done and another order is coming in the next month and a half.

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I have tried other Paula’s Choice products but none that have real place in my current routine. That may change once winter arrives. A detailed skincare review on 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant over the last six years. For other skincare reviews, check out the Self Care category for more. Make sure to hit that subscribe button to join the community and never miss out on a post. Find me on Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok for more powerlifting and wellness content.

Until next time,

Folakemi