Photo: Wonderflaw
Who?
Seda Yılmaz
For how long? Nine months.
Sometime in my forties, I picked up one of my most valuable skincare lessons, thanks to this little gel from Paula’s Choice. It showed me that gently sweeping away dead skin cells can do wonders for your skin’s overall health. The results were so convincing that after the gel, I went back for the cream and liquid versions too. Excessive? I thought so at first, but my skin clearly disagreed.
It took me a long time to truly understand my acne- and dark spot-prone skin. I was double cleansing religiously, never forgetting sunscreen, and seeing gradual improvement. Yet the breakouts still had a mind of their own. That is, until this exfoliant came along. It smooths and clears without leaving skin parched, and that balance is key. Without soothing ingredients, exfoliation can easily tip into dehydration. This formula gets it just right. Salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), works deep in the pores to target excess sebum, the usual culprit behind oiliness and breakouts. And it doesn’t stop there. It also helps with fine lines and wrinkles. Then there’s green tea and bisabolol, standing by to calm the skin the moment the dead cells are gone, keeping irritation at bay.
The directions say to start slow—every other day, then gradually increase. Naturally, I ignored that and went straight to twice daily. My skin was calmer, less red, and my breakouts were retreating, so why hold back? Well, because I started using it in the middle of winter, and dryness was lurking. Soon, my skin felt tight and slightly tingly. Lesson learned. Now I pace myself, taking breaks during more sensitive weeks or switching to the cream version. Take it from me: the instructions are there for a reason.
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant isn’t just a win for oily or acne-prone skin. It works for combination and even dry skin. It brightens, evens out tone, smooths texture, and instantly leaves skin looking fresher and feeling calmer. Honestly, that’s a lot for one product to deliver.
