Can I use moisturizer after Paula’s Choice BHA?

Yes, you should moisturize after Paula’s Choice BHA.

In fact, you should use moisturizer after applying any salicylic acid products because they can be quite drying!

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA exfoliant is a good addition to a skin care routine for oily skin and acne-prone skin concerns.

However, it is a strong beta hydroxy acid that can cause skin irritation if you don’t have the perfect balance of moisturizing afterward.

This post will explain everything you need to know about how to use Paula’s Choice BHA 2% Liquid Exfoliant.

Paula’s Choice BHA Exfoliant Review

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting BHA is a chemical exfoliant formulated with 2% salicylic acid.

Salicylic acid is used to fight acne, blackheads, and reduce uneven skin texture.

It supports the natural exfoliation process and is one of the few ingredients listed on the FDA monograph to fight acne!

Key Ingredients

The main ingredient in Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2 BHA Liquid Exfoliant is salicylic acid.

While it can be harsh for more sensitive skin types, 2 BHA Liquid Exfoliant is the perfect product for others depending on how your skin responds.

Salicyclic Acid

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid. It’s great to treat skin concerns like:

• Breakouts

• Blackheads

• Enlarged pores and clogged pores

Since it’s oil soluble, salicylic acid is great to unclog pores with too much scrubbing which can irritate your skin.

So this chemical exfoliant works best for oilier skin types and skin prone to acne. Plus, it can help with unwanted skin texture and to even out your skin’s surface.

Benefits of Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting Exfoliant

Benefits of Paula’s Choice BHA include reducing the appearance of enlarged pores, clearing out clogged pores, getting rid of unwanted skin texture, dead skin cells, and blackheads,

It’s also great to reduce occasional breakouts and can help with keratosis pilaris, like the First Aid Beauty KP Body Bump Eraser.

What Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Won’t Do

Salicylic acid does not help with uneven skin tone or does it help with sun damage.

You need an AHA for that, like glycolic acid.

Concerns with Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting Chemical Exfoliant

For people with dry skin or sensitive skin concerns, this chemical exfoliant may be too harsh.

In fact, many people with these skin types simply don’t need to exfoliate skin with BHA exfoliants as they can irritate and disrupt your skin barrier.

Paula’s Choice BHA works best for an acne-prone skin type as the excess oil your skin products will naturally protect your skin’s surface more.

How to Use Paula’s Choice Exfoliant

Apply a few drops of Paula’s Choice Liquid Exfoliant to cleansed skin, morning or night.

You can apply it to your entire face or use it as a spot treatment, and the lightweight texture absorbs quickly.

Then, follow up with a moisturizer that won’t clog pores.

If you’re using it in the morning, make sure you finish off with sunscreen.

At night, you can use an eye cream instead. Your eye cream can also go before your moisturizer depending on how thick it is.

How often should you exfoliate with Paula’s Choice BHA?

To treat acne, you can exfoliate your skin with a thin layer of salicylic acid 1-4 times per week, as long as you’re not combining it with any other active ingredients.

However, this is just a general guide. The right frequency will vary depending on your skin type and concerns.

Make sure to experiment to find out what works best for you.

Is Paula’s Choice BHA safe to use in the morning?

Yes, salicylic acid is safe to use in the morning as it does not increase skin sensitivity to the sun. However, you should follow up with a moisturizer and sunscreen.

Is Paula’s Choice BHA safe to use with vitamin C?

Yes, you can layer salicylic acid with vitamin C. However, vitamin C can cause irritation in some people. Make sure to patch test before applying both products to your whole face.

Best Moisturizers to Use with Paula’s Choice Liquid Exfoliant

The best moisturizers to use with acne treatments are formulated with soothing, nourishing ingredients to protect your skin barrier.

Stick with thicker moisturizers with:

• Cholesterol
• Colloidal oatmeal
• Green tea

Make sure to moisturize 1-2 times per day, even when not using Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2 BHA.

What Not to Use with Paula’s Choice BHA Exfoliant

There are a bunch of ingredients you should not include with Paula’s Choice Skin Perfect Liquid Exfoliant in the same routine, such as:

• Face scrubs or cleansing brushes

• AHA exfoliants

• Other BHA exfoliants

• Retinoids

The best skincare products to use with Paula’s Choice Skin Perfect BHA are soothing ones, like a hydrating toner.

Face Scrubs

These shouldn’t be in your regular skincare routine regardless.

Many cleansing brushes, even something like a soft-bristled cleansing brush, are too harsh for your face. Stiff bristles are known for causing microtears in your skin.

Personally, I don’t even like using a cotton pad or soft washcloth as they have the same negative impact.

You should use your hands and a gentle cleanser to wash your face instead.

AHA Exfoliants

Any alpha hydroxy acid like glycolic acid is excellent to treat acne and turn over dead cells to leave you with glowing skin.

In fact, they’re a good complement to a skincare routine with Differin, for example.

Glycolic acid is also great for helping with uneven skin tone.

However, they’re too strong when combined with other actives for your skin’s vulnerable surface.

Other BHA Chemical Exfoliants

The best way to protect your skin barrier and maintain healthy skin to avoid over-exfoliating with any skincare product.

Don’t combine multiple BHA products at once, otherwise you can induce some negative impacts like skin sensitivity.

This can occur with any acne-fighting active ingredients, not just salicylic acid.

Also, beta hydroxy acid is too harsh for sensitive skin or dry skin types, so be careful!

Frequently Asked Questions