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.
At A Glance: Paula’s Choice BHA Exfoliant

Best for: | Combination skin, acne-prone skin, oily skin, hormonal acne |
Key Ingredients: | 2% salicylic acid |
Approved? | Yes! |
Alternatives: | CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser↗ |
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

KEY INGREDIENTS
- 2% salicylic acid
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:
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

Yes, you should moisturize after applying Paula’s Choice Liquid Exfoliant.
No. Paula’s Choice Liquid Exfoliant is a leave-on chemical exfoliant. You should apply a few drops to your entire face and leave it on overnight.
Apply Paula’s Choice Liquid Exfoliant before moisturizer.
A BHA is a beta hydroxy acid. It is a type of chemical exfoliant to dissolves oil in your skin, unclogs pores, and clears out dead skin cells.
Yes, salicylic acid is a type of BHA.
Yes. Paula’s Choice BHA has salicylic acid which is great for clearing out blackheads, enlarged pores, and dead skin cells.
Yes. You should moisturize after using any active ingredients, especially for a drier skin type.
No, you should not use Paula’s Choice BHA every day.
Yes. You should use Paula’s Choice BHA within one year.
No, Paula’s Choice BHA does not help with acne scars.
No, Paula’s Choice BHA does not cause purging.
Yes, Paula’s Choice BHA can dry skin. Use a moisturizer afterward to prevent dry skin.
No, Paula’s Choice BHA does not bleach clothes.
Paula’s Choice BHA should not burn. If it does burn, you should stop using it.
No, Paula’s Choice BHA does not cause breakouts.
Maybe. Salicylic acid is hit or miss for sensitive skin.
Yes, Paula’s Choice BHA is safe during pregnancy.
No, Paula’s Choice BHA is not a retinol.
Yes, Paula’s Choice BHA is good for acne.
Yes, Paula’s Choice BHA is worth it to treat acne, blackheads, and clogged pores.
Yes, Paula’s Choice BHA is good for oily skin.
Leave Paula’s Choice BHA on overnight for 8 hours.
Use 5-10 drops of Paula’s Choice BHA to cover your entire face.
Paula’s Choice BHA should work overnight.
You can use Paula’s Choice BHA a few days per week as long as you don’t get any irritation.
Yes, Paula’s Choice BHA exfoliant is good.
You should not use Paula’s Choice 2 BHA every day as it can cause irritation.
Yes, Paula’s Choice BHA works.
It is safe to use Paula’s Choice BHA every day as long as you don’t get irritation. However, most people will experience irritation using it every day.