Paula's Choice Skincare was founded by Paula Begoun in 1995 and has since been a firm favorite of skincare fanatics. Long before the creation of her namesake brand, Begoun was struggling with acne and eczema, constantly searching for products that wouldn't make her skin worse and brands that told the truth. Twenty years before launching her own skincare brand, Begoun was fired from her job on a cosmetics counter for telling customers the truth about what products could and couldn't do for their skin.
Seven years after the business began, Begoun created one of the industry's first leave-on liquid exfoliants, the Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, which has won numerous beauty awards. "First of all, BHA [beta hydroxy acid], better known to consumers as salicylic acid, is such an effective skincare ingredient, particularly for those with breakout and acne-prone skin," Begoun told Insider.
The 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant comes in a gray plastic container that blocks out light, which can make ingredients less effective. Mollie Davies/Insider
This unique leave-on liquid is best applied with fingertips or a cotton pad to the entire face and neck, and it's even suitable around the eye area. While many similar products on the market also have a 2% BHA concentration, they don't always have the right pH balance. "Salicylic acid works best at a pH between 3 and 4," says Begoun. Formulas outside of this pH range will be less effective or could significantly disrupt the skin's barrier.
Anybody who knows their hyaluronic acid from their niacinamide would be able to spot the iconic bottle on a bathroom shelf. Paula's Choice Skincare opts out of using jars or transparent packaging, as vital ingredients become less effective when exposed to air and light, and can become clogged with bacteria when using fingers.
Left: My skin after first using the liquid exfoliant. Right: My skin after two weeks of use. Mollie Davies/Insider
Initial thoughts
My skin doesn't like to make for easy work. I'm prone to hormonal breakouts and my skin is quite dull, with lots of enlarged pores.
After cleansing my skin and using a gentle toner, I applied the exfoliant to my face and neck. The product suggests use up to twice a day, but having relatively sensitive skin, I kept the use at a max of once a day. I concentrated more on areas where I'm blemish-prone and applied the liquid to a cotton pad and pressed it gently into my face and neck once every other day for around four days before changing it to once a day. A little coin-sized amount is plenty to cover your face and neck if using a cotton pad, but I found that reusable pads soak up the liquid quite quickly.
If I used it in the morning I always followed with a light moisturizer and SPF 50, as any acid can thin out the skin's surface and make you more prone to burning and sensitivity.
I noticed my skin was instantly a bit more firm, and slowly, the stubborn milia on my forehead were starting to shift.
My skin after two weeks
I started to notice a huge difference in my skin around day nine. I'd upped my usage after day four and my pores started to shrink, some stubborn blackheads unclogged, and my skin had more of an overall glow, including a decrease in the pigmentation on my cheeks.
The bottom line
Although I was initially a bit nervous about using a liquid exfoliant, and not being able to feel with my fingers just how much I was exfoliating my skin, I am officially converted. The Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant delivers multiple benefits through its key ingredients. It also comes in a travel size at just $11.00 for those wanting to test it out before investing in the full size.
Mollie Davies
Freelance Reporter
Mollie Davies is a health and lifestyle journalist with a degree in English Literature and History and a background in PR and marketing. Mollie has since gone on to contribute to publications that include Cosmopolitan, The Metro, Healthline, HelloGiggles, Reviewed, HuffPost, Independent, and Fabulous, amongst others. More recently, Mollie has been the Beauty and Style Editor of well-being magazine, The Breakdown. Basset Hounds are Mollie's favorite things on the earth, she has her own named Olive. Mollie loves anything with too much sugar in, the color yellow, pop culture, and musical theatre.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Please remember that results will vary from person to person. We're proud to say that all customer reviews are independent, authentic and do not represent the views of Cult Beauty or The Hut Group.
good product
5
works well but i had a purge period were my skins was extremly inflamed but i stuck with the product and it ened up leaving my akin looking beautiful. make sure you slowly start to build up this product over a month or two instead of going in straight with using it evrry day to avoid ruining ur skin barrier!
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Decent
5
I have been using this and it seems to be good, will see how effective it i combining this with microdermabrasion and steam facials
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Great exfoliant
4
Good for getting rid of little bumps. Found the texture a little bit oily.
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Go to product
5
Massively helps reduce any small pimples and bumps on my face !
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5/5
5
my favourite toner, tightens pores instantly and great for sensitive skin, would recommend!
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Keep repurchasing
5
This is great for reducing the look of pores and blackheads, the only thing I’ve used that’s made a difference.
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Magic in a bottle
5
I have every size of this toner - 2 small ones are in my travel bag and gym bag, the regular size in my on-suite, and the supersize in my main bathroom. This alone is enough of a statement to how much I love this toner. It gives my 40 year old skin the glass look and by far made the most dramatic difference in my skin condition, out of all the skincare I have ever tried. It’s better than chemical peels that I used to get in a salon. And a lot less harsh, without the downtime. I use it every morning and it’s so good, I no longer feel the need to do chemical peels at all. My skin reverse aged and I’m getting ID’ed again. At 40 years old! Buy it!
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love this
5
will always keep purchasing this, my skin feels so refreshed when i use this at night and wake up the next morning
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my skin saviour
5
This works super well, I use it at night and wake up with super soft and glowy skin.
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Great product
5
This is a great product, have been using it for a while and I know it’ll be in my staples for the foreseeable.
Can Paula's Choice 2% BHA be used everyday?
You can use Paula's Choice BHA every day— exfoliating once either in the morning or evening [pick whichever is most convenient for you].
How long does Paula's Choice 2% take to work?
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant reduced my breakouts by ~70% after 3 days of using it at night! Note that timing is different for everyone. After 7 days of use, my skin felt smoother and softer.
Does Paula's Choice 2% BHA help with acne?
Which BHA product is better for treating rough, bumpy skin: CLEAR Acne Body Spray or Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA? Both options are great for bumpy skin and even suitable for skin prone to keratosis pilaris because they contain 2% BHA, an ingredient that can visibly reduce bumps and clogged pores.
Is Paula's Choice skin Perfecting 2% BHA liquid exfoliant good for sensitive skin?
option for normal to oily or combination skin that's prone to bumps & blemishes. BHA is oil soluble, meaning it works both on skin's surface and within pores to quickly shed clogging buildup. It's also naturally calming and gentle enough for skin that's sensitive, prone to redness or rosacea.