Paula's Choice • Skin Perfecting 1% BHA Gel Exfoliant • Treatments

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heatheln on 4/21/2013 5:34:00 PM more reviews by heatheln

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

HI, I've been using this product for about 9 months ... I am 33 with combination skin.

I have always been acne prone and while i was on the pill for 3 years this improved alot. Then I came off the pill and my skin reverted back to its acne prone state. I have stuck with the product because i think over the months my skin on my face feels more 'thick' (Paula says this product encourages collagen prodcution) and I know that the pimples are due to me not being on the pill anymore rather than the product not working.

I can now use the product every day without any redness and when this bottle is empty I will upgrade to the 2%. I've read alot of comments about how it made ppls faces red etc. This happened to me but after a month it settled and I only used it every two or three days according to how my skin tolerated it.

Another reason I think it works well as an exfoliant is because I used to come out in pimples after using makeup and I used to dread the 'day after' using makeup. But now I can use makeup and the next day my skin is no worse. for the first time I can put makeup on all day and for multiple days at a time and my face doesn't break out :)

Even though it is about $30+ in australia it has lasted for nine months so far and there is about a quarter of the bottle left.

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SoggyBottomGirl on 12/5/2012 5:15:00 AM more reviews by SoggyBottomGirl

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

Felt compelled to share my own experience with this product after finding my own review had been removed on the Paula's Choice site. I have a combination skin with large pores and a problem with black heads, which I simply cannot seem to get rid of. I use quite a few Paula's Choice products and am quite happy with most of them. So I was rather confident that this gel was going to work for me too.

I especially started on 1%, this being my first experience with BHAs. After using the product for a few days only, my skin became so dry and tight that it looked as if it was going to burst when I smiled. You know the way people with skin burns look when their skin heals? That's how I looked. My T-Zone was literally different to the rest of my face. It was horrible. No amount of moisturising helped either, and lo and behold, the blackheads were still there.

I only applied it to my T-Zone, taking special care not to come in contact with my eyes. So I wrote to Customer Care, who told me that this basically never happens and that I must be doing something wrong. I was also advised to used it only every other day. After the condition the stuff left my skin in, I wasn't going to touch it again.

Up to then, all my reviews of Paula's Choice products had been very good. So I signed in, gave the product one star and explained what happened. After submitting my review, I was again contacted by customer care. They suggested changing my review and using different words like "I must have used it wrongly". I refused and said, no, that's censorship. So they agreed to post my review as is (it wasn't defamatory, I am not an angry or malicious person, I just wrote exactly what happened.

What then happened was that the review was taken away completely after about half a year. I live in Germany. If you visit their German site, see for yourself. The product has strangely enough "never been reviewed", yet all the products have. So at the end of the day, I just think that's very wrong. After always raving about the other products, for once, you, the customer, are not allowed to give your honest opinion anymore when you are unhappy about a product.

I still use Paula's Choice, but I will never touch that stuff again and can only warn you to be very careful when using it. You can get samples of all the products, try it out first to see if it works for you, but the moment your skin starts feeling dry like parchment, it's too late. It is not a sign the stuff is working. Stop using it immediately.Your skin will need at least a week to recover.

So the thing is, I really got the feeling that one is only allowed to write good reviews about Paula's Choice products. It made me wonder about all the other excellent reviews too, but seeing that I myself contributed to a few of them, I am just slightly thrown into doubt by the way criticism is handled. On a positive note, Paula's Choice does offer you a money-back guarantee (I didn't bother though, own fault), but the 21 EUR or so the stuff costs could not recompense the damage to my skin.

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

ShineeBee on 6/15/2012 2:29:00 AM more reviews by ShineeBee

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

This product exfoliate well. Since I have acne, I prefer using chemical exfoliant. After using this I do notice my skin gotten more smoother and the small bumps have improved. However my skin is a little bit sensitive so I could only use this at the most, ever other day. Also, every time I use this, my skin produced more oil. Must be a skin reaction to the product. Therefore I could only give this a 4

Just want to add that this will only exfoliate, it will not help with other form of acne. If you acne is cause my congestion then this may help, but if it was cause by other means, then this will do little.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

missixty5 on 3/28/2012 11:35:00 AM more reviews by missixty5

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I have been trying out Paulas brand for a few months now and i was excited when i had originally gotten a few samples of this solution, though it doesn't make me break out the cucumber smell is a little too much for me to bear. So in my personal case i would probably not purchase this again.

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BeFineFilipina on 3/25/2012 8:33:00 PM more reviews by BeFineFilipina

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Tan, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Black    

Worked for me while AHA's don't. Doesn't sting. After using a gentle cream cleanser, then toner, I depress maybe half a pump's worth of product into my palm, and then use my finger to spread some of it on my forehead, around my nose and then chin (basically my T-zone). If there's any product left I'll spread between my hands and tap lightly onto the upper cheeks. It's made my skin much smoother and gotten rid of the whiteheads around my nose. I follow up with a moisturizer after. Price is decent for the amount of product. Since I barely use a bean-sized drop of this per day it will last a really long time.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Vaska on 7/5/2011 7:26:00 AM more reviews by Vaska

Age: 25-29   Skin: Very Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Black    

I don't know whether it is BHA that just doesn't agree with my skin. Or just Paula's Choice 1% BHA Gel products don't. This one broke me out in tiny red pimples after just one night. I tried it again after several weeks off and it happened again and again. After 3 times same reaction, I don't know whether it is how it works or what but I don't want to get pimples. It's more upsetting cos I bought it after following the advice from the official seller and it just doesn't work. I am not sure what to do with the rest of the product but it's so expensive for something I cannot use. What a waste.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* shazzar on 7/3/2011 12:02:00 PM more reviews by shazzar

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

I just finished 2 samples, each sample lasted about a week using it in the evenings only. I started using PC's Clear Targeted Acne Relief Toner with 2% Salicylic Acid at the same time and have seen great results. I have very senstive combo skin and have no irritation at all from this. I suffer from clogged pores and the occasional cystic zit. The gel managed to keep one or two cystic zits down, and helped with the inflammation on one that got through. I think it's better suited to treating clogged pores, I have a significant decrease in the last 2 weeks. I have several other samples of PC's BHA products to work my way through, but would definitely purchase this one in the future.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Catttt on 6/30/2011 4:30:00 PM more reviews by Catttt

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I just used up a 0.1 oz sample of this and ordered two more for 80 cents each. It lasted me about a week and the results were intriguing enough for me to want to continue using it.

(Currently I'm using no makeup and no sunscreen.) After my Neutrogena Fresh Foaming cleanser, I applied the BHA. The first few days it seemed to calm the redness in my skin and cleaned up pores a bit. I stopped using it for a few days because I'm lazy. When I started again, the first time my face got reddish and there were small bumps on my chin. The next days, it calmed my skin again and the bumps went away but then I got an isolated cluster of pimples on a different area of my chin. I'm thinking this might just be purging so I'm willing to continue testing it.

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Isabird on 6/12/2011 1:48:00 PM more reviews by Isabird

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

This product has changed my skin's appearance and texture more than any other product I've put on my face. It took me some time to figure out how I could personally use it, because my skin can't stand it everyday like PC recommends. If I apply it everyday my skin gets dehydrated and flaky.
The very first week I used this my skin reacted terribly (I even got huge breakouts on my chin for the first time in my life). But I really didn't want to give up on this! So after their costumer service recommendation I started using it 3 times a week and only at night.
I've been using it for 4 months now, 2 or 3 times a week. After cleansing my face, I apply my PC toner and while my skin is still damp I apply a dime-size amount of the 1% BHA Gel. I think this helps the product spread more evenly and easily, because its texture is very tacky.
I let it set and absorb for 15 or 20 minutes and then I apply my moisturizer. Next morning, my skin is smooth, the tone is even (I have a lot of redness on my cheeks and chin) and it just looks bright and healthy. It has really cleared out my skin from old blackheads, especially on my nose and forehead. I haven't seen any changes on the size of my pores but honestly I wasn't really expecting that - I think nothing really changes that.
And even though I don't usually get breakouts, I do get the occasional one (especially on the days before my period) but since I've been using this my skin has been SO clear, even when hormones go crazy.
That said, I took one lippie because I am still not 100% happy with the texture and the finish. I will order the lotion next time, just to see if I like the texture any better.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* stl on 6/6/2011 6:42:00 AM more reviews by stl

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I had pretty clean skin with some tiny bumps on my chin when I started using this. I wanted a smoother skin, so I tried this. 2% was probably too strong, so I opted for 1%. But boy, did it break me out! I have nasty inflammatory acne on my cheeks now and the tiny bumps are turning red and big. Now I did expect some purging from this product, but somehow I feel it is not really purging, more like the product doesn't agree wth my skin. Will return it. No more experiencing.

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*TOP REVIEWER* starladear on 4/29/2011 2:02:00 AM more reviews by starladear

Age: 36-43   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Red   Eyes: Green    

Fantastic stuff. To tell the truth, I have wanted to try this for literally years, after reading reviews and whatnot. I bought the liquid almost three years ago with a spray pump and lost it (no idea) within a few days. Never bothered to go back and order another one. The reason I have not, I think, is because I felt like ultimately "yeah, yeah, yeah, another bha body product." I have used Murad's much more expensive version, and it does help a lot, even if it is much pricier (and available at the mall at sephora instead of having to order it online). But now that I have been using the PC bha gel for a week, I am a total convert. The weirdest thing is that I expected at least a slight little sting when I applied it...nothing. It felt like nothing. And it has cleared my body acne and my face acne...I am in love. I must be honest to say that I have been using this on my face in conjunction with other new products (particularly dead sea mask by etre), but my back was really broken out very badly too. I was having terrible trouble with it. This stuff rocks.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

tinsel5001 on 4/27/2011 1:40:00 PM more reviews by tinsel5001

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

This flakes off into little pills, balls, flakes when I apply my foundation. Gross, yuck, all of the above. Wouldn't use this formula again no matter what.

I'm leaning towards the PC liquid BHA.

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*TOP REVIEWER* youwillneverfindme on 11/11/2010 4:08:00 PM more reviews by youwillneverfindme

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

I was quite happy with this stuff but I did find it a little too drying for my liking and will be trying the lotion formula instead. In addition, it seemed to kind of sit on top of my skin, like an ultra thin film that didn’t really sink in. However, I’m in love with its effects: Overall, it did clear out my pores…even the pores on my nose looked clean and somewhat diminished…kind of shocking to me as I generally think of myself as having good skin on my face…rare blemishes and no blackheads with the “normal” looking clogged pores on my nose (which is a huge pet peeve of mine). And the great part was that I could get away with using this product only a few times a week. Even for my arms which have pretty intense keratosis pilaris, it made a difference—no joke: after just one night my arms were presentable...not completely smooth and free of the KP, but at least it wasn’t embarrassing (I do realize Paula’s Choice has other products more geared for KP on the body and will be looking into those in the future…but it was kind of nice having a product to pull double duty). I found that a little of this product went a really long way, just a tiny dab would suffice for my nose and the smallest amount for my arms...I'd say a 4 oz bottle might last a year for me (?)...so I feel like $18.95 is a reasonable price.


Would I buy again?—In theory, yes, if the lotion weren't around, I'd keep it stocked. But in reality, probably not, as I suspect the lotion will be a better product for me. I would recommend anyone in search of a BHA product to check this out.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

nykat on 9/27/2010 11:26:00 AM more reviews by nykat

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Red, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

This product is awesome for my skin type! I don't get a lot of breakouts, blackheads or whiteheads like some other reviewers. I do however have Enormous Pores! They are huge and my skin looks awful when they are congested. Since using this BHA gel I have been able to keep them clean....making them appear smaller...improving the overall appearance of my face. My mu goes on smoother and the texture of my face has improved. I started using this 2x's a day and now just use it a couple times a week for maintenance. The only thing I do not like about this is the packaging. Because my bathroom is tiny, I keep most of my products in toiletry bags and the lettering on these bottles just doesn't hold up to that kind of abuse. It may be a small complaint but b/c I do spend $ on my products I want them to look nice as well...nobody wants to put something on their face if they can't even read the lable anymore!

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janieb79 on 12/27/2009 1:00:00 PM more reviews by janieb79

Age: 44-55   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

I've tried many products over the years to manage the pores on my nose, but never had visible results - until today! I've had this product for less than a week, and am shocked to see desired results so quickly. I was just putting make-up on and was amazed to see not only reduction of pore size in some areas, but other areas on my nose that were totally unclogged and smooth! Unbelievable. I've had no irritation from this product. It comes out of the plastic squeeze bottle is an easy-to-control manner, and it absorbs nicely on my skin. I can't wait to see what Week Two brings!!

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jeffreyac on 12/14/2009 10:43:00 AM more reviews by jeffreyac

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Olive   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

While I'm sure the BHA does what it says it will, the gel formulation is awful. It doesn't absorb into the skin at all! Instead, it sort of balls up on your skin, and rubs off. There is no way to wear it under makeup. The liquid formulation works best.

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ksied on 9/2/2009 2:02:00 PM more reviews by ksied

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I have been using his product nearly every night for about 2 weeks. I tried samples of this and the 2% BHA liquid. I preferred the texture of the liquid since this gel feels a little sticky on my face, however I decided to buy the 1% as my skin has been kind of reactive lately so I thought I would start gentle. While I don't like the initial stickiness of this gel, I find it absorbs quickly and is a nice, gentle exfoiliant. I had several pimples when I started using this gel, including some small white pimples that I had for months. They have either shrunk or have disappeared. I have used scrubs and ahas in the past, but the bha seems to be just what I need right now. After I finish this bottle I may try the 2% liquid again. I highly recommend this especially for those with minor but persistent pimples that don't seem to respond to other exfoiliants.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* mapn on 8/24/2009 4:12:00 AM more reviews by mapn

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red, Straight, Coarse   Eyes: Green    

Ok, now I've tried every single Paula's Choice BHA formulation (thank goodness for samples!). And now I can make an informed conclusion that BHA just doesn't agree with my skin. Or at least Paula's Choice BHA products don't. This one, like all the other formulations, broke me out in tiny red pimples, and just made matters worse. AHA seems to be working so much better for me.

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queenpollux on 5/13/2009 5:24:00 AM more reviews by queenpollux

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I got samples of this product from local distributor. At first I was keen on trying this as I read some good reviews that it could manage whiteheads and blackheads pretty well.. which were my main concern.
So I gave it a shot.
I used it after every bath. First two days it was okay. Although I couldn't see visible improvement, but I could feel that whiteheads were getting tighter/ smaller. No effect on blackheads though... I continued using it on day three and my skin were screwed. Loooooottttttssssss (it's really a lot!) of reddish tiny bumps appear on the place where I applied the gel on!! I don't know why this happened... Now I have discontinued using this product and busy of getting rid of the newborn whiteheads. I should be more aware in trying new brands.

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Darcy49 on 4/26/2009 10:14:00 AM more reviews by Darcy49

Age: 44-55   Skin: Other   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

Great product. I had tried PC's BHA products a few years ago and did not have any luck ... they broke me out and made me itch. I have been using Mario Badescu Botanical Facial Gel (cleanser) and have seen great results (rosacea gone, almost never a blemish), but was still having trouble with blackheads, especially around the nose.

On a whim, I decided to try PC's 1% BHA gel again, and I'm glad I did. I had some initial small breakouts, which was disturbing since my skin has not been breaking out for quite a while, but I stayed with the PC b/c 1) I clearly noticed way fewer blackheads on and around my nose, and my skin felt incredibly smooth and 2) the breakouts could have been caused by a RoC serum with lots of silicones that I had recently tried out.

Breakouts have subsided, skin is clear and smooth, and blackheads are greatly diminished. Price is very good, especially considering how little I need to use. Packaging is clean and functional ... I really don't care if the bottle is super-duper pretty if what's inside works. (I'm not trying to impress anyone with my skin care containers.)

EDIT 05/20/2009: When, when, WHEN will I learn? "On a whim" is never a good idea when it comes to my skincare routine. I was plodding along with the Mario Badescu Botanical Facial Gel (cleanser) and my skin did not have any breakouts ... a few blackheads, yes, but breakouts, no. But of course, my skin was lacking a "glow" and I thought I looked tired, so "on a whim" I, once again, tried PC's BHA. BIG MISTAKE. HUGE! My skin looks like total crap right now, it's red and it hurts. Seems to work at first then, BAM! my skin goes to crap in a heartbeat. WILL NOT be using this ever again.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No