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

If you actually understand how to use it, it’s amazing.
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.

Skin feels soft!
I have had enlarged pores my whole life so I wasn’t looking for a miracle to remove them but this product definitely helped make them less visible and just less! And my skin feels so soft! I am 40 and have absolutely no makeup on the photo and you can still see my pores BUT there is a noticeable difference and I’ve been using this product for 3 weeks now! Will buy again!

Works like magic! Goodbye large pores!
The lady that does my hair told me about this product, she did me a great big favor. She told me to put it on my face after I wash it, applying it to where I have large pores, my nose. Within just days the poor started to shrink and now they look wonderful. I highly recommend this and I just bought a second bottle for the downstairs bathroom. I like to use exfoliating facial wipes in the morning to clean my face and then I apply this product with either my finger, q-tip or cotton rounds. So if you have large pores I would suggest you get a bottle of this, it will clean them out and shrink them.

The best!!
I’ve tried everything and nothing can match this.
It’s a little oily like others have mentioned but I apply with a cotton round then I rub in with my hands.. this gets it deeper into the skin. Does not burn and not a terrible smell. Has reduced pores and reduced reddish tones on my cheeks. I do not use daily but I do use it 3 times a week., at night. I wouldn’t Recommend in the morning or using under makeup. After I apply and rub it in I let it sit for about 30 min then I apply my good nighttime cream. Skip your serums when using this it will just cancele them out especially vit C. Highly recommend to anyone wanting to shrink pores and even out skin tones/oils! couldn’t live without it!

La cantidad es bastante, hace meses que lo pedí y aun tengo la mitad aprox. Lo uso en rostro de 1 a 2 veces por semana. También lo aplique en codos y manos para suavizar y funciono de maravilla. Si se nota el cambio en la piel, no irrita, la calidad vale la pena el precio mil veces. Aplico pomada aquaphor como mascarilla después del exfoliante y mi piel amanece divina

Muy bueno he notado cambios en piel, incluso han disminuido los puntos negros en mi nariz.

This is my first ever chemical exfoliant. I’ve used a BHA product in the past, but I didn’t find it did anything substantial to my skin and thus, never really thought to go back to it. However, this product came highly recommended and I decided to give it a shot.
Note about my skin: I tend toward dry skin that can be pimple-prone in the chin (and more recently neck!) area. I have enlarged pores on my nose and occasionally on my cheeks. My skin is also uneven and I have brown spots from prior cystic acne. I picked up this product to, thus, help with the occasional pimple, enlarged pores, and unevenness in skin tone. My husband also shares this product with me, though he has oily skin and his problem is enlarged pores around the nose and cheeks with the occasional pimple in these areas.
Because my skin is on the drier side and I use a physical exfoliant around three times a week, I use this product max twice a week on the days I would use a hydrating cleanser. Application is about a nickel-sized amount on my fingers that I then rub in. I’ve used it for about two months at this point.
I will say this product, even with minimal use, helped with my skin texture. Before my skin tended to feel very dull and I’ve noticed a difference. My brown spots have not changed since using, but I also didn’t expect any change since I use the product so infrequently and haven’t used it for long.
Prior to using this BHA formulation, my pimples were frequent – probably having a new one once the last one healed. Initial use didn’t eradicate the pimples, but it sped up the healing process substantially. I don’t think I’ve had a new pimple now for the past month.
My skin is generally fine after using, though it will feel dry if I don’t put on a moisturising cream right away (I tend to wait 30 minutes after application to be sure the BHAs have time to do their thing). However, this isn’t out of the ordinary for me in general even when I gently cleanse.
I can’t say I’ve noticed a difference in pore size, but I’m willing to keep using it given the other pros. I’d also like to see if this will become more noticeable with prolonged use.
As for my husband, who uses it as frequently as I do, it has helped with skin tone as well as keeping pimples at bay. Once again, no big difference in pore size.
Overall, definitely a great BHA product if you’re in the market for one (and have the funds to buy it). If you have the occasional pimple that seems to take forever to heal and your skin feels very dull in general, I’d definitely say try this product out. If you have dry skin, it would be a good idea to build up usage in case it really irritates your skin. If you’re only looking to use it for enlarged pores, I personally have not noticed a difference, but I also only use it once a week and I’ve only used it for two months. Take that as you will.