Paula's Choice SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant-Facial Exfoliant for Blackheads, Enlarged Pores, Wrinkles & Fine Lines

My skin type:- Very Dry, easily dehydrated- Oily nose- Prone to stubborn acne and closed comedones- Redness on chin and cheeks (not rosacea)I already use a nightly Tretinoin cream (.04% concentration) to help with my acne and premature signs of aging but decided with my derm that incorporating a BHA would be a good idea to help with my seriously stubborn closed comedones and some irritating textural issues. It was between this and the Cerave SA lotion and I ultimately decided on this due to the higher concentration of salicylic acid.It's moisturizing, and feels sticky for the first 5-10 minutes after application but seems to sinks in to something of a satin finish on me and I can no longer feel it on my skin. You just have to be a little patient. My skin feels well hydrated and plump after it settles and looks really smooth and my pores aren't as obvious. It sits just fine under makeup for me but I'm not a new user to chemical exfoliants so I don't have lots of dead skin pilling up or sloughing off when I use it, my skin is, for the most part, already very smooth outside the acne and CCs. Occasionally I'll apply it further down my neck/decolletage than usual and WOW do I old skin just ball up and peel right away - it's so gross but also satisfying. So those that don't exfoliate often or are new to BHA/AHAs will likely have issues with foundation until their skin adjusts (but it will adjust). My advice in those cases is to either use this at night for the first few weeks or just accept going barefaced for a little while if you can.I'd strongly suggest not applying this product over anything that you feel does not dry down fully, the times I've attempted to use it after serums or heavier products it takes forever to sink in and sometimes never fully does. I save all my serums and essences for after this has absorbed and it's far easier to work with it as a result. My steps go like this most days: ACWell Licorice toner --- PC 2% BHA --- 10% Niacinamide serum --- TO Matryxil serum --- Secret Key Black Snail cream or Syn-ake cream w/ 3 drops Stratia Fortify oil --- Sunscreen.It works fairly quickly IMO, on my neck where I typically don't apply my Tret at night I noticed the peeling and balling of dead skin on day one and on my face where I have a patch of really awful CCs I noticed them getting smaller and smoother by around day 3-4. I'm going on about 8 days now and they're barely visible unless I'm right up in the mirror and feel as if they're almost gone when I touch my fingers to that area. I do have some slight peeling of the skin around my mouth and nose but it's not terrible (likely because I already exfoliate the heck out of my skin with the tret).Some tips and things keep in mind:1)DO NOT RINSE IT OFF. I don't understand some of the top reviews advising people to do that, it says on the bottle not to rinse and nearly all chemical exfoliators are meant to be left on until the next cleansing specifically so they can do their job. If you rinse it off you're either going to prevent it from properly exfoliating or end up irritating the hell out of your skin. If you have oily skin and feel this might be heavy on you than you can probably just use this on bare skin and then sunscreen if you use in the AM or a lightweight lotion/cream and be done with it, but you need to leave it on your skin.2)You have got to use sunscreen while you're using this product! Any BHA or AHA exfoliant causes increased sun sensitivity and you have to address that in your routine. You should already use sunscreen daily but it becomes a must when you incorporate a chemical exfoliator or you risk sun damage.3)Less is more! Don't slop this on your face or soak a cotton pad in it, a little goes a long way and you'll be kicking yourself if you apply way too much and have to wait 20+ minutes for it to sink in. Use a shake or two and add more if needed but go easy.4)Expect some irritation initially. Chemical exfoliants can be harsh and rough even on sturdy skin and you have to give yourself time to adjust. Over-exfoliation is a possibility but sometimes just introducing a BHA or AHA into your routine can cause some sensitivity. Don't panic and just be gentle to your skin. Use ceramides (like Cerave Skin Renewing cream) or fatty oils to soothe your face if needed and try to stay away from any harsh products or acids like Vitamin C right after applying this to avoid really burning your face.

I've used several skincare products in my 30+ years and this product is by far my favorite. It truly delivers on everything promised, namely minimizing pores, smoothing skin, and makes fast work of blemishes (even those hard to get, T-zone bumps between my brows). I noticed a difference in my skin within DAYS of use. I started gradually, as directed, once every other day and I quickly moved up to daily and now twice a day, unless I'm using the PC AHA exfoliant at night. There is a minor chemical smell at application, but no lingering scent. I drop 2-3 drops onto my palms and directly apply (don't waste your product on a cotton round, it's not necessary!). I purchased a 4 oz. bottle in July of last year and I'm just now using it up after nearly 8 months of regular use. It's pricey, but the value is there. I've since purchased other products from this brand and I'm a believer. PC is a staple in my routine now!

Let me start by saying I have congested skin, so I know I need an exfoliant. I have used a large number of scrubs, peels, etc. throughout the years and most were bleh. I had become frustrated recently once again with my skin needing help and I saw this item. I decided to try it, and I have used it two nights in a row.Outcome: I could see a significant difference after just the first night. This morning after the second night/application, I still saw an improvement. I am excited that my skin is looking smoother, clearer, and has smaller pores after just two days. I repeat TWO DAYS. I will keep putting it on every night since it does leave a bit of a residue on the skin that I feel I would not like during the day (but maybe it was because I put a lot of it on). Overall, I will continue to use it. And for it being as effective as it is, I don't think it's going to irritate or make my skin red like some other exfoliants have used. But if anything changes I will update my review. Right now, if I could give this 10 stars I would.Also, I feel like this will only help people who have skin that needs exfoliating. If you have decent skin or skin that doesn't need exfoliating, it may not be that amazing nor effective. But it all depends on what your skin needs, so if you have any needs that this product addresses I think you should give it a go. It at least won't harm or irritate your skin.*Disclaimer: I put on a significant amount of this both nights, probably about a good double dose all over my face and the front of my neck and rubbed it in a bit with the cotton pad. I am certain this sped up the exfoliating process, and as I continue to use it I will probably go down to putting on just one application rather than a double application each night. I may eventually go to every other night, but that remains to be seen. I will just go with the flow and do whatever my skin needs. So far, amazingly effective.UPDATE: After the 3rd double application last night, I am STILL seeing an improvement in my skin. I will go down to a normal nightly application starting tonight since my skin is feeling a bit tight. It isn't inflamed but I can tell it could become irritated if I continue double strength applications daily. And my skin is much improved already, so there is no reason to risk irritation. I will update how the regular single application works. Oh, I am seeing wrinkles diminish as well under and around my eyes!UPDATE #2: After the normal single application last night my skin is still improving. It doesn't feel as tight as yesterday, so it was a good I listened to my skin. Will continue with single layer nightly applications! Still loving it!UPDATE #3: After several more days of using it only at night and an overall single application (with a little extra on certain areas of my face), my skin is still continuing to improve. I am definitely sold on this.UPDATE #4: After almost another week of use it feels like my skin has gotten used to it so I will be using a light coating in the morning with moisturizer afterward, and a heavy application at night also with moisturizer after. I will let the exfoliant fully dry before putting on the moisturizer to make sure it stays where it should. I will report back on how it goes. Fine lines are diminishing and it seems like a few darker spots on my face are slowly lightening. So far, I am still loving it. (I am also putting it on the front of my neck and upper chest and it's helping there as well.) HOWEVER, I am not a person who puts on foundation or much makeup, so I am not sure how using this during the day would affect someone the foundation staying in place or not. Once I am back to my normal work outside the house I may decide to use it only at night, we will see.UPDATE #5: I am still using this daily twice a day and still seeing improvement in my skin. A few darker patches of skin near my temples are lightening, my pores are still getting smaller, and my fine lines are still diminishing. I have set this up on a subscription because it works so well for me. I hope this review helped you!

Goes on easily with a cotton ball or fingers. It takes a while to sink in, so be patient! Feels a little sticky at first, but it does eventually get absorbed and dries, and then you don’t even realize it’s there.No skin irritation yet, and I’m seeing results after just a few uses. My skin looks brighter and more clear already!Product wasn’t in the bag originally, so I contacted Amazon and they sent a replacement right away, that actually showed up the same day!