Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant, Gentle Facial Exfoliator for Blackheads, Large Pores, Wrinkles & Fine Lines,…

Photo of all products I use plus – Full AM & PM skincare routine at bottom

This review is based on my experience as a 34-yr old woman diagnosed with PCOS. I’ve been struggling with acne, cystic acne, and rosacea for almost 11 years. I used to take super powerful medicine…don’t do it. It screws up your hormones even more in the long run. Acne is a huge part of PCOS, and can get out of control very quickly. Keep in mind that I have also been implanting new diet changes (DF, GF, sugar free, no eggs, no grain, low carb) and supplements as directed by my Naturopath.

I was desperate to finally change my skin. I had to be in my brother’s wedding in 6 weeks, and I so badly wanted to feel confident in my skin. It was risky . There was no guarantee that my skin would be done purging by the time 6 weeks rolled around, but I took the risk. Surprisingly, the first week, my skin cleared up nicely. But then…into week 2 began the purge. Mind you, my purge wasn’t crazy. It was small pimples, but a lot of them; with new ones every single day. Cystic acne under jawline was constant, but manageable. I already had a pretty strict skincare routine before trying this, so I feel like my skin wasn’t as bad a say someone who’s skincare routine is less strict.

As you can see from the photos, I had a couple purging periods. The first was at it’s worst around 30 days of daily (once a day) use of Paula’s Choice Exfoliate. It seemed to follow my menstrual cycle a bit, but my good days were few and far between for the first two months. By the end of May, I was beginning to think it wasn’t working for me. The week before the wedding rolls around, and I get a large cystic bump on my chin, very red, with little pain, though. This could have just been stress, not sure? Fast forward to mid-June. As I’m writing this, it has been a solid week and a half since I’ve experienced a fresh breakout. My old acne is healing, and my scars are beginning to fade. It’s also important to note that I started using the CeraVe SA Cleanser AM and PM a couple weeks before the wedding. And since I’ve been using it, I feel like my skin has really started to take a turn for the better.

I wouldn’t say that this product was 100% the reason for my skin looking the way it does now, but I do know that it has a large part to do with it. I don’t expect my skin to be perfect forever, now. My skin still changes a lot throughout my cycle, so I expect the typical PMS breakouts, but this month has been very smooth sailing compared to the first two months, and it makes me REALLY excited!

I love when people share their skincare routines. So if any other ladies out there who are PCOS sufferers, this is what my AM and PM routines look like.

AM:
1. Cleanse with CeraVe SA Cleanser (gently massage into face for 30 seconds) & rinse
2. Apply The Ordinary’s Naicinamide & Zinc Serum on damp skin (let sit for 1 minute)
3. Apply Esmi Skin Probiotic Skin Mylck as my moisturizer (very light moisturizer – let sit 1 min)
4. Apply DRMTLGY’s Broad Spectrum 45spf Protect sunscreen (very important, very light, no white cast)

PM:
Double cleanse
1. Cleanse once with Esmi Skin Minerals Uncomplicated Cleanser
2. Cleanse again with CeraVe SA Cleanser (gentle massage for 30 seconds)
3. Apply thin layer of Paula’s Choice Exfoliate to damp/almost dry skin (wait 15 minutes)
4. Apply Esmi Skin Minerals’ Hyaluronic Serum (let sit for 1 minute)
5. Apply Esmi Skin Minerals’ Probiotic Skin Mylck
6. Apply thin layer of Terminator Benzoyl Peroxide 10% to problem areas (massage in on top of moisturizer, I do this because it’s too drying if I put it on underneath moisturizer)

Don’t make the mistake of putting the Paula’s Choice Exfoliate on after skin completely dries. This dries me out very badly, and my skin will be tight all day the next day. I used to let it sit on my skin for 30 minutes before finishing my routine, but now I’m down to 15 minutes. I feel like it’s still very effective.

The Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid 2% mask is also very useful to dry up an active breakout or encourage something under the skin to come to the surface. I usually only use this one time. Anymore than that on that same spot, and it’ll turn red and be very dry (in my experience). Let the mask sit for 15 minutes. I only use a dab of it on the active acne spot. I don’t know if I would have the courage to smear this over my entire chin/mouth area where I’m prone to breakouts. It’s very drying stuff.

I know this was long, but I hope that this will help someone else who may be experiencing not just adult hormonal acne, but acne caused by serious hormonal imbalances and insulin resistance due to PCOS. I FINALLY feel like I’m on the right track!

For the size and price. Not good even for Amazon. The size is like a sample size, which wasn’t appreciated for the price. Had I know how small the product was I doubt I’d bought it. As for any benefit to using the product 5/10 so far.
I think there’s too much hype on this brand,I hope I’m proven wrong. Time MAY tell,but I don’t think so.

I have every skin issue you can think of. Rosacea, acne (hormonal, cycstic, Whiteheads, blackheads), dehydration, excessive oiliness, redness, all of it. I’ve spent probably thousands on a multitude of different products, trying to find one that would at least make a dent. I’ve had many procedures, many trips to the dermatologist. Nothing I’ve ever used, nothing I’ve ever done, has made such a profound difference in the appearance of my skin. Having rosacea, my face often felt hot, bumpy, and burned. While my conplexion is naturally fair and pink, this has seriously covered all my bases in a gentle and effective way. I’ve been trying to turn my skin around for YEARS!! this was the product that did it. If I could give it 100 stars i would. It has seriously changed my life!!! Also sorry for the nasty pictures haha

I’m on my second bottle, and it works for keeping my skin exfoliated. However, you can also buy 

pure salicylic acid

 and add it too sodium lactate (available cheaply everywhere, used in soap making) as a diluent to achieve the same thing for a fraction of the price (see it done on YT). That’s my next move.

I have oily skin with pores especially around nose chin and cheek area and I have been using this product once every night for 2 weeks now. I don’t see any change in my pores or skin. It’s like an oily layer after you apply. Not sure if I will re buy the product but the quatity sure is good. Will update after few weeks again in case there is any change in my skin texture.

Update : been using it quite regularly for more than a month now. I don’t see much change.. but maybe the pore size on my nose have shrunk a bit. Will update again after a month.

Update on 28th Sept _ the product is actually good. Although I have not been regular , I have stopped pricking my whiteheads and my sebaceous filaments on my chin are finally gone. I will continue to use this product l. Now understand the hype. Moving the rating to 4 stars and will come back again after 2 months.

Final update: I love this product, I have been extremely irregular with the product but it’s worked on my pores and sebaceous filaments very well. It reduces my break out by 60% over night. I will continue to use it and understood finally why it’s a cult favourite for a reason. Please be patient and surely you will see the results.

Saw result within days