Paula’s Choice for Acne Prone Skin

[Geenyc]

I recently got into Paula’s Choice products…. AND OMG !!!!! I just want to thank the Skin care gawdsss for such amazing products 🥹.

I’ve been using it for a year now and I’ve seen such a significant change in my skin. 

I had breakout issues and dry skin on my face. I literally saw a major change instantly, when I tried the first product which was the Paula’s Choice Exfoliator. Less pores, less dry skin.

I loved it so much I kept going back for more, than I graduated to the acne line 😂. 

i said hey let me try this because I mean the exfoliator is working SWELLL for me.

for the past year . I’ve been Using the Paula’s choice acne line (Clear moisturizer and the skin clearing treatment ) with my 2 most favorite Paula’s choice clinical niacinamide 20% and the exfoliator . And WOW! 

i am so happy I gave it a shot. If you’ve been skeptical, don’t be. Try them out and see how it works for your skin ! 

i also use the Kielhs face wash , omg I loveee that cleanser and the Kiehls light weight mouisturizer . 

my face feels like butter now . I’m just so thankful I found these products SERIOUSLY ! ❤️

Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

• 
  https://www.sephora.com/product/paula-s-choice-skin-perfecting-2-bha-liquid-exfoliant-P469502?skuId=...

CLINICAL Niacinamide 20% Treatment

• https://www.sephora.com/product/paula-s-choice-clinical-niacinamide-20-treatment-P469511?skuId=24212...

CLEAR Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide

• https://www.sephora.com/product/paula-s-choice-clear-daily-skin-clearing-treatment-with-2-5-benzoyl-...

CLEAR Oil-Free Moisturizer

• https://www.sephora.com/product/paula-s-choice-clear-oil-free-moisturizer-P469517?skuId=2421220&icid...

[WinglessOne]

Paula’s Choice is one of the staple brands of my skincare routine. I can’t use all their products (there’s no brand whose entire skincare line I can use), and some PC products didn’t play nice with my particular skin. But here’s what I’ve tried—and I’m probably forgetting a few products. 

✅ = I still use this product in my routine. 

Cleansers: 

Spoiler

Gentle Touch Makeup Remover ✅ - one of my favorite eye makeup removers. (The other 2 are cleansing balms.) It performs as well as Lancome Bi-Facil (which can remove pretty much anything) for less money, without the strong fragrance. 

Gentle Cleansing Cloths - Completely ineffective. They don’t remove makeup and they're even useless for morning wipedowns. I got a couple packs as GWP and wound up using them with the liquid makeup remover. 😂 

RESIST Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser ✅ - if I need to wash my face in the morning (many mornings I don’t), I sometimes use this. 

Paula's Choice Omega + Complex Cleansing Balm 3.5 oz/ 104 mL ✅ - another cleanser I sometimes use in the morning. I also use it to remove makeup. 

Paula's Choice CLEAR Pore Normalizing Acne Cleanser 6 oz/ 177 mL ✅ - I sometimes use it on my face, but often use it on my back and shoulders where I'm much more acne prone. 

DEFENSE Hydrating Gel-to-Cream Cleanser - this was too drying for my skin. Thank goodness PC offers foils and travel minis of many products, so I didn't waste money on a full size bottle of this cleanser. 

Hydralight Cleanser - I think this was discontinued. It used to be my favorite facial cleanser. 

All Over Hair & Body Shampoo - it was kinda okay as a shampoo (cleaned my scalp but was rough on my hair), but too drying as a face or body cleanser. 

Toners: 

CALM Redness Relief Toner for Normal to Dry Skin - I got a full size bottle as GWP but I think I’ve used it just a couple times… I keep forgetting I have it. I need to use it up soon, so I’ll try it again this week and see how I feel about it. 

Exfoliants: 

Spoiler

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel 1 oz/ 30 mL ✅  - I use this once or twice a month. 

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant 3.3 oz/ 100 mL - didn’t like the gel texture. 

RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA ✅ - my usual AHA exfoliant. I use it just once or twice a week. 

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner for Clear Skin 4 oz/ 118 mL - something about the texture bothered me, but it worked well. 

Paula's Choice CLEAR Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution with 2% Salicylic Acid 4 oz/ 118 mL ✅ - the leave-on 2% BHA exfoliant I prefer. Works well for my inflammation-prone skin. 

CLEAR Acne Body Spray ✅ - I use it on my back as needed. Helps a lot with back acne, and can be sprayed when held at any angle (including upside down). 

RESIST Advanced Pore-Refining Treatment 4% BHA ✅ - I sometimes alternate this with the CLEAR 2% BHA. Surprisingly, my skin tolerates this even more than the 2%. 

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting BHA 9 Treatment 0.3 oz/ 9 mL ✅ - still my favorite spot/area treatment for acne. 

Treatments: 

Spoiler

Pore Clarifying Charcoal Gel Mask ✅ - one of my favorite clay + charcoal masks. It doesn’t fully dry down on my skin. It rinses off easily. And it does what PC claims it will. I can comfortably use this mask on my whole face, not just my oily one. 

Paula's Choice CLINICAL Niacinamide 20% Treatment 0.67 oz/ 20 mL - didn’t notice enough benefit to justify the price, especially considering niacinamide’s already in some of my other skincare products. 

Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster 0.67 oz/ 20 mL - I preferred this to the 20% (I was using this one before the 20% one was released). But I stopped using it when I introduced other products to my routine that also contain niacinamide. 

Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster for Redness Relief 1 oz/ 30 mL ✅ - my favorite of the three 10% azelaic acid products I've used. I apply it to most of my face, avoiding my eye area. It doesn't pill or feel heavy/greasy on me. 

Paula's Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster 0.5 oz/ 15 mL - was very helpful during winter weather, but not necessary once I added other products to my routine that contain quite a bit of this ingredient + other humectants. 

Paula's Choice C15 Vitamin C Super Booster 0.67 oz/ 20 mL - was fine, but I usually get more of the results I’m after from niacinamide and other hyperpigmentation fighters than ascorbic acid. This product’s better for folks whose skin responds well to vitamin C. 

C25 Super Booster - not nearly as effective for my PIH as azelaic acid, and this product always pilled a lot on my skin. I hated this stuff.

Moisturizers: 

Spoiler

Paula's Choice CLEAR Oil-Free Moisturizer 2 oz/ 60 mL ✅  - still use this one on my neck. I often use it on my face at night because it plays nice with my retinaldehyde product (which contains oil). 

Paula's Choice Omega+ Complex Moisturizer 1.7 oz/ 50 mL - quite nice on frigid winter days. The consistency reminds me a lot of Drunk Elephant Lala Retro (the only DE product my skin tolerates at all). I don’t routinely buy and use it. But if free samples or GWP are available, I’ll take ‘em. 

Sunscreens: 

Spoiler

Lipscreen SPF 50 - not a fan, mostly because of the smell and the way this balm makes my lips feel. I use Vanicream’s SPF lip balm instead. 

I’ve tried 2 of the face/body sunscreens but don’t recall which ones they were… I think they were the Paula's Choice RESIST Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense Face Sunscreen SPF 30 2 oz/ 60 mL and SKIN BALANCING Ultra-Sheer Daily Defense SPF 30. I didn’t like either one on my face and neck, so I used ‘em up on my arms, legs, ankles, and feet. 

If I could use benzoyl peroxide, I’d definitely try Paula’s Choice’s. 

One issue PC has is the overwhelming size of their product catalog. Example: they currently have 19 facial moisturizers plus 11 sunscreen moisturizers. That’s waaay too many moisturizers. I thought the brand’s new parent company might greatly pare down the catalog, but that hasn’t happened yet. They have removed a few products, but they've also added new ones. 

[Geenyc]

Heeyy baby love !!  Thank you so much for the insight ! 🥰❤️This is so helpful for me , and For others Im sure. ! I’m definitely open minded to trying some of the products youu ve tried, that’s worked for you . I’m so excited !!!!

I’ve tried so many different products and felt like I couldn’t find a routine that worked for my skin CONSISTENTLY. I mean YES , many products have worked for me, but I never really found a routine where I felt like, it worked for me consistently. I usually have to switch up every few months. 

I want to thank you for taking the time out to respond to my post and for being so informative. I learned a few things. Your the best! Thank you freeeend ! ❤️ @WinglessOne 

[Titian06]

@Geenyc - I use the Paula's Choice CLEAR Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide 2.25 oz/ 67 mL .  I love that it doesn't dry out my skin and it has that wonderful slip to it when you put it on.  Between this and #The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Oil Control Serum 2 oz/ 60 mL , my skin is looking good!

[Geenyc]

Hey sweetheart!! I’m glad your your skin is out here looking like a million bucks  ! I LOVE that for you ! 😌. 

I forgot which product I got from the ordinary line , I felt like it didn’t work for me . I was so devastated I haven’t gone back. (Crazy how just 1 product not working for me, will have me shy away from trying anything else, I know I know )

Buttttts, I will give this one a try. I mean hey, it can probably work for me . 🤞🏼 I have faith . 

Thank you for sharing freeend  ! ❤️

[greeneyedgirl107]

@Geenyc I'm a big fan of that brand!  I couldn't live without Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting BHA 9 Treatment 0.3 oz/ 9 mL .

[Geenyc]

@greeneyedgirl107   Guuuurl !!  Im saying!!! First and foremost , Heeey friendd! 

That makes TWO of us! !  Bc seriously !

What do you use? I want to test out more products from Paula’s choice to see what other gems I find . ! I LOVE it.

I have the toner , but I’m not too crazy about the toner, like I personally don’t see anything noticeably different when I use it, but everything else is working wonders for me . 🤞🏼🤞�pa 

[greeneyedgirl107]

@Geenyc I started out with the 2% BHA.  My sister uses that one.  I also use the 1% Retinol, antioxidant Pore Purifier, Gentle Touch Makeup Remover, calm toner 1x a week (I can't remember the exact name).

I own the toner for oily skin.  It's fine, but I just don't reach for toners. 

I LOVED their essence, but sadly they discontinued it.

I've been wanting to try their Power Berry Serum.

I phased put their Omega+ Serum because after a year it stopped working for me.  I used to use their C15 booster but it went bad due to the fact that the packaging isn't airtight.   I'm still shocked they haven't changed it.  I also phased out their 10% AHA, although I do recommend it.

I haven't tried any of their cleansers or moisturizers, or else those would probably be in the mix as well.