Reviews · Paula's Choice · Skincare
Is Paula's Choice 2% BHA worth it? Who it suits, and who should skip it
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is one of the best-known exfoliants around: a watery liquid with 2% salicylic acid that you swipe on and leave on. It's famous for helping with blackheads and congested pores. This is a research-based guide rather than a hands-on test. It covers what it does, how to use it and who it's worth it for, using Paula's Choice's own product information and UK retailers' listings.
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 118ml
What works
- 2% salicylic acid, an oil-soluble exfoliant that works inside pores, which is why it's so popular for blackheads
- A leave-on liquid you apply with a cotton pad, so there's nothing to rinse off
- Fragrance-free, and free of alcohol and essential oils, according to Paula's Choice
- Paula's Choice says it's formulated at a pH of 3.2 to 3.8, so the acid can work
- Sold in a 30ml trial size as well as the 118ml bottle, so you can try it first
Worth knowing
- It's an acid, so it can irritate if you use too much too soon; Paula's Choice says to start every other day
- Not the best match for dry or easily irritated skin; retailers mostly recommend it for oily, combination and blemish-prone skin
- You need to wear SPF 30 or higher every day while you use it
- Using it alongside a retinoid or another acid can be too much for many people's skin
- Check with a doctor first if you're allergic to salicylates (aspirin is one)
Who it's for
It's worth it if you have oily, combination or blemish-prone skin and want to tackle blackheads and congested pores, and you're happy to wear sunscreen every day. Skip it if your skin is dry or sensitive, if you already use a retinoid or another exfoliating acid, or if you react to salicylates.
BHA stands for beta hydroxy acid, and the BHA here is salicylic acid at 2%. Unlike the acids in many exfoliants, salicylic acid dissolves in oil, so it can work inside pores as well as on the skin's surface. That's why this liquid has such a following among people with blackheads and clogged pores.
It's a thin, watery liquid rather than a toner you splash on. The formula also includes green tea extract, and Paula's Choice says it is fragrance-free and free of alcohol, essential oils and abrasive particles. The brand adjusts it to a pH of 3.2 to 3.8, which is the range where salicylic acid works.
Paula's Choice's directions are to apply it once or twice a day after cleansing: soak a cotton pad and sweep it over your face, avoiding your lash line and eyelids, and don't rinse it off. Start every other day and see how your skin responds before using it more often. In the morning, finish with an SPF 30 or higher sunscreen.
It comes in a 30ml trial size and the 118ml bottle linked on this page. If you've never used an acid exfoliant, the trial size is a sensible way to find out how your skin takes it. If you'd rather exfoliate less often, or prefer a wash-off product, Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant is a gentler-feeling alternative you rinse away.
How this page was written: I haven't tested this exfoliant myself. Everything here comes from Paula's Choice's product information and major UK retailers' listings. If I test it, I'll update this page with a hands-on verdict.
The verdict
For oily, combination or blemish-prone skin, it's one of the most sensible splurges in skincare: a well-formulated, fragrance-free salicylic acid exfoliant that targets blackheads and congested pores. Start slowly and wear sunscreen. If your skin is dry or sensitive, or you already use a retinoid or another acid, it isn't the right buy for you.
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 118ml
