Paula’s Choice BHA is one of the top-selling products from the iconic skincare brand. Many people claim that this liquid exfoliant with 2% salicylic acid solved all their acne woes. Several beauty bloggers swear by this product for smooth and blemish-free skin. This is why I purchased the Paula’s Choice 2% BHA mini version from Amazon India a couple of months back.
I have been using the Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant for almost 2 months now, and thought of documenting my experience with this product so far. This is a cult favourite for those with oily and acne-prone skin and a lot has been said about it already. But if you are curious to know how it fared for me, keep on reading!
The Formula Of Paula’s Choice BHA Serum
Texture – It has a runny consistency that has a slight slip to it. It settles on the skin to a non-greasy finish though.
Fragrance – No added fragrance, it has a slight medicinal smell due to its ingredients. But it doesn’t linger on the skin.
Formula – This is a water-based BHA serum with 2% Salicylic Acid. It is not a wash off product and you are supposed to leave it on your skin overnight under a moisturizer.
List of Ingredients – Water (Aqua), Methylpropanediol (hydration), Butylene Glycol (hydration), Salicylic Acid (beta hydroxy acid/exfoliant), Polysorbate 20 (stabilizer), Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract (green tea/skin calming/antioxidant), Sodium Hydroxide (pH balancer), Tetrasodium EDTA (stabilizer).
Source – https://www.paulaschoice.com/
How To Use The Paula’s Choice BHA Serum?
I apply around 3 drops of the Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant to my face and neck at night after washing and drying my skin. I follow it up with an active-free moisturizer after 5-10 minutes. Sometimes I also layer an azelaic acid serum before my moisturizer. I do this on alternate nights but for beginners I will recommend weekly use. Also, do not layer actives with it if you are a beginner.
How Did It Help My Skin?
This exfoliant helped me massively by unclogging my pores. After a couple of weeks of use, I could notice a reduction in the tiny bumps on my skin that are caused by congested pores. It made my skin smoother and always helps to heal any active acne faster. It soothes angry red pimples and shrinks & heals them quickly.
Does The Paula’s Choice BHA Help With Acne?
Yes, it helps to heal active acne faster and prevents frequent breakouts by removing excess sebum from the pores.
Does The Paula’s Choice BHA Help With Blemishes?
I personally haven’t seen a massive difference in my blemishes so far. But I use other ingredients that reduce hyperpigmentation (Azelaic Acid (night), Vitamin C (day)) and that helps. This product may pair well with Azelaic Acid from Paula’s Choice to reduce pigmentation.
Does The Paula’s Choice BHA Cause Purging?
I did not experience any purging or irritation. It does cause some dryness though. So using a nourishing moisturizer after this is a must. Beginners should go slow with this one nevertheless.
Which Skin Types Should Use The Paula’s Choice BHA?
It is most suitable for oily and acne-prone skin. It can be too drying for dry and sensitive skin.
How Long To Leave Paula’s Choice BHA On Skin?
If your skin is used to chemical exfoliants, you can leave Paula’s Choice BHA on your skin overnight. If you are a beginner, leave it on for a few hours and increase the duration if your skin responds well to the BHA.
Where To Buy Paula’s Choice BHA Serum In India?
Amazon India sells authentic Paula’s Choice products in India. Click here to buy. You can also check out their other products, such as their fluid sunscreen and the azelaic acid from Paula’s Choice.
Is The Paula’s Choice BHA Worth The Price?
If you have oily, congested and acne-prone skin then definitely! It gave me great results and I picked the mini (30ml for INR 900) which is not even half empty after 2 months. The mini is not even that expensive compared to Indian serums, and considering the results I will recommend investing in this than picking any other BHA serum in India.
I hope that this QnA style review answered all your questions regarding Paula’s Choice BHA. If you have any further queries, I will be happy to address them in the comments section!
Mrinalini
Mrinalini is a beauty blogger with over 7 years of experience in reviewing skincare, makeup, and wellness products. Her professional experience in the biomedical space plus her keen interest in testing products spanning decades gives her the upper edge when it comes to reviewing new beauty products, particularly for oily, acne-prone, Indian skin.