Product Rating:   (9 reviews)
soft skin, awful smell
This is only my first day of using the products but I do like the way they leave my skin feeling baby soft. I wish I could touch my face all day haha. However, the BHA and the face lotion smell like b.o. really bad. It goes away after a while or perhaps it was b/c I used my pressed powder foundation over it but omg it's awful! Customer Care Response: Thank you for your review. Rest assured that even though the smell of these products are not to your liking, we guarantee it is safe and free of contamination. Paula's Choice goes through significant lengths to ensure that our products are gentle, effective, and stable. One of the challenges of having a fragrance-free line is that we cannot use perfumes to keep consistency in scent from batch to batch. Even though we use identical ingredients in each product formula, the raw materials themselves may vary slightly in odor and color. Sometimes these particularly naturally derived ingredients may be stronger than expected depending on where the crops were harvested. If you prefer we may send samples of our Skin Balancing products to try if you like, just contact customer care if you would like to try other options.
—Sarah


Beautiful Skin
I have a tendency towards boredom with beauty products. Years ago I was using Paula's Choice and for no reason at all just switched to a drug store brand. Oh how I wish I had never done that to my skin. Over the past several years my skin was becoming blotchy, acne prone and rather oily. I had these awful blemishes that were very deep, painful, and constantly reoccuring in the same places. I decided to return to Paula's Choice and ordered the Essential Hydralight system. I saw improvement immediately and 2 weeks out I do not see any new blemishes and the old one's are a thing of the past. I love the BHA Lotion and what it has done for my pores. While I am a bit oily I can also be a bit dry - I would consider my skin to be a slightly oily t-zone. The Hydralight moisturizer is nice but sometimes feels like I'm not getting enough moisture. I did purchase the moisturizing anti-oxidant to provide moisture and the combination of these products does not leave me oily but still pretty well moisturized. I am so happy that I returned to Paula's Choice. I can't wait to try the 2% BHA products.
—Jamie


Amazing
Essential Hydralight System is the best skin care range that i ever purchased. i have light atopic and have been using Hydralight System for 2 month. there is no irritation and make my skin healthy.
—Christine


Soothes Rosacea
I have rosacea and have been using the Hydralight System for the last month or so. There is definitely a reduction in redness, and the itchy flaking I experienced in spots is completely gone. My only suggestion would be for a size between the samples and regular size since I travel regularly for work.
—Lara


Wow!
I could actually feel & see results after the 1st use! having dealt with sensitive normal/oily combo skin, washing my face was a past nightmare. I actually dreaded it at times. sore, angry & irrated skin. I would skip some morning washes. my skin was crying for help. the Essential Hydralight system is absolutely wonderful. my face feels so much better. I love everything included. thank you Paula! the customer service is outstanding as well. super fast shipping! I'm so thrilled. my only regret is that I didn't purchase sooner.
—Lori


SHOCKING RESULTS
For YEARS I've had a red t-zone area, tiny white bumps on my cheeks and middle of my forehead. In ONE WEEK I am bump free and the redness is GONE! I am SHOCKED and thrilled with the miraculous results of this Hydralight System.
—Stacey


Love this set!
This was one of my first purchases from Paula's Choice. I'm so happy with this set and I'm loving my skin! I had problems with flakey skin on my face & after using Paula's routine my skin is back to normal... except even better than before! (I also use the 2% BHA gel)
—Morgan


I am hooked!
I started using this system along with 1% BHA gel about two months ago. I have never been able to find products that do not dry out my very sensitive cheek area due to oily combination skin. This has been really working well for me. My face feels clean and healthy. After using all three products along with the BHA gel my skin is not shiny but healthy looking again. I have not had skin like this since before high school.
—Amanda


Great system!
The cleanser takes it all off w/o irritation, the toner is refreshing and the moisture lotion is light,silky, and I love the cucumber scent-excellent kit for normal to oily skin!
—Lynette

Hydralight One Step Face Cleanser
Experience a fresh, clean sensation every time you wash your face with this clear gel cleanser.

Hydralight Healthy Skin Refreshing Toner
Improve skin function and reduce cellular damage with this unique, antioxidant-rich toner.

Skin Perfecting 1% BHA Lotion
Provides exfoliation with lightweight, matte finish moisture.

Hydralight Moisture-Infusing Lotion
Experience this innovative, fast-absorbing, ultra-light formula that keeps skin fresh, matte, and looking smooth and healthy.

What Makes Paula's Choice Products Unique?

Created by world renowned skin care expert and author Paula Begoun

Proven effectiveness based on hundreds of published scientific studies

Targeted systems for wrinkles, acne, rosacea, sensitive skin, oily skin, dry skin and more

Fragrance-free, color-free, free of harmful skin irritants, and never tested on animals

100% customer satisfaction guaranteed

Unequalled customer service

Ingredients

Hydralight One Step Face Cleanser:
Water, Glycerin (skin-identical ingredient), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (surfactant), Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Glycine, Fructose, Urea, Niacinamide, Inositol (water-binding agents), Sodium Benzoate (preservative), Lactic Acid (water-binding agent), Allantoin (soothing agent), Sodium Hyaluronate (water-binding agent), PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate (thickener), Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate (stabilizer), Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate (surfactant), Xanthan Gum (thickener), Triethanolamine (Ph balancer), Carbomer (gel-based thickener), Benzophenone-3 (stabilizer),Methylparaben (preservative), Propylparaben (preservative).

Hydralight Healthy Skin Refreshing Toner:
Water, Camellia Oleifera (Green Tea) Leaf Extract (antioxidant), Epilobium Angustifolium (Willow Herb) Extract (anti-irritant), Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract (antioxidant), Sodium Hyaluronate (water-binding agent), Glycerin (skin-identical ingredient), Methyl Gluceth-20 (humectant), Sodium PCA (water-binding agent), Allantoin (anti-irritant), Butylene Glycol (water-binding agent), Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol (preservatives), Bisabolol, Panthenol (anti-irritants), Polysorbate-20 (emulsifier), PEG-90M (stabilizer), Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Potassium Phosphate (pH adjusters), Phenoxyethanol (preservative).

Skin Perfecting 1% BHA Lotion:
Water, Cetyl Alcohol (thickener/emollient), Butylene Glycol (water-binding agent), Salicylic Acid (beta hydroxy acid/exfoliant), Allantoin, Bisabolol (anti-irritants), Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol (silicone slip agents), PVM/MA Decadiene Crosspolymer (film-forming agent), Sorbitan Stearate, PEG-40 Stearate, PPG-14 Butyl Ether (thickeners), Propylene Glycol (slip agent), Laureth-7 (emulsifier), Polyacrylamide (water-binding/film-forming agent), C13-14 Isoparaffin (thickener), Sodium Hydroxide (pH balancer), Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Diazolidinyl Urea (preservatives).

Hydralight Moisture-Infusing Lotion:
Water, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate (skin-conditioning agent), Cyclopentasiloxane (silicone/skin-conditioning agent), Butylene Glycol (water-binding agent), Dimethicone (silicone/skin-conditioning agent), Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2 (gel-based thickener), Propylene Glycol Isoceteth-3 Acetate (water-binding agent), Squalane (emollient), Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate (thickeners), Potassium Cetyl Phosphate (emulsifier), Cetyl Alcohol (thickener), Magnesium Aluminum Silicate (thickener/absorbent), Tocopheryl Acetate (vitamin E/antioxidant), Cholesterol (skin-identical ingredient), Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract (anti-irritant), Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Fruit Extract (antioxidants),Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin (skin-identical ingredient), Superoxide Dismutase (antioxidant), Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (vitamin C/antioxidant), Sodium PCA, Phytosphingosine (skin-identical ingredients), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (emollient), Dimethicone Crosspolymer (suspending agent), Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract (antioxidant), Xanthan Gum (thickener), Laureth-4 (emulsifier), Laureth-23 (solubolizing agent), Sodium Hydroxide (pH adjuster), Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid (preservatives).

Sources to support the claims made for HydraLight Moisture Infusing Lotion:

British Journal of Dermatology, August 2007, pages 295–300; Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, February 2005, pages 287–295; Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, September–October 2004, pages 207–213; International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, July 2004, pages 1141–1146; Nature Medicine, February 2003, pages 225–229; Microscopy Research and Technique, January 2003, pages 107–114; Journal of Lipid Research, May 2002, pages 794–804; Free Radical Research, April 2002, pages 471–477; Journal of Investigative Dermatology, March 2002, pages 402–408; Cosmetic Dermatology, December 2001, pages 37–40; and British Journal of Dermatology, November 1995, pages 679–685.

Sources to support the claims made for Healthy Skin Refreshing Toner:

Archives of Dermatological Research, March 2010, pages 71–83; Cancer Prevention Research, February 2010, pages 170–178; Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, September 2009, pages 299–304; Phytotherapy Research, September 2009, pages 1,197–1,204; Skin Research and Technology, August 2009, pages 338–345; Dermatologic Surgery, July 2009, pages 1,057–1,065; Experimental Dermatology, June 2009, pages 522–526; Clinics in Dermatology, November-December 2008, pages 614–626; Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, July 2008, pages S7–S12; Dermatologic Therapy, September-October 2007, pages 322–329; American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, May 2004, pages 327–337; Dermatologic Therapy, January 2004, pages 16–25; Exogenous Dermatology, June 2004, pages 154–160; and Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry, October 1999, pages 3954–3962.

Sources to support the claims made for Skin Perfecting 1% BHA Lotion

Biochemistry and Pharmacology, June 2007, pages 1,786-1,795; Archives of Internal Medicine, July 2002, pages 1531–1532; Annals of Dermatology and Venereology, January 2002, pages 137–142; Archives of Dermatology, November 2000, pages 1390–1395; Preservatives for Cosmetics, 1996, by David Steinberg, Allured Publishing, pages 39-40; Pain, January 1996, pages 71–82; and Seminars in Dermatology, December 1990, pages 305–308.

Sources to support the claims made for HydraLight Moisture Infusing Lotion:

British Journal of Dermatology, August 2007, pages 295–300; Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, February 2005, pages 287–295; Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, September–October 2004, pages 207–213; International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, July 2004, pages 1141–1146; Nature Medicine, February 2003, pages 225–229; Microscopy Research and Technique, January 2003, pages 107–114; Journal of Lipid Research, May 2002, pages 794–804; Free Radical Research, April 2002, pages 471–477; Journal of Investigative Dermatology, March 2002, pages 402–408; Cosmetic Dermatology, December 2001, pages 37–40; and British Journal of Dermatology, November 1995, pages 679–685.

Hydralight One Step Face Cleanser:
DIRECTIONS: Splash the face and eyes generously with tepid to slightly warm water. Using your fingers, apply a quarter-sized amount on your face and eyes using vigorous but gentle circular motions. Rinse well and gently pat face dry with a clean towel. Repeat to remove heavy makeup.

Hydralight Healthy Skin Refreshing Toner:
DIRECTIONS: After cleansing, soak a large cotton ball or pad with Healthy Skin Refreshing Toner and gently stroke over face. Do not rinse off. Follow with the appropriate Paula's Choice moisturizer, sunscreen, exfoliant, and/or specialty product.

Skin Perfecting 1% BHA Lotion:
DIRECTIONS: Apply to clean skin. Dispense a dime-sized amount and massage over face. Follow with a Paula's Choice Acne Fighting Treatment (if needed), moisturizer, and/or specialty product. For daytime, wear under a product rated SPF 15 or higher. Note: Persons allergic to aspirin should not use a product containing salicylic acid.

Hydralight Moisture-Infusing Lotion:
DIRECTIONS: Apply to clean skin, focusing on particularly dry areas, including around the eyes. If you are using an AHA or BHA product, apply moisturizer after that step.

Detailed instructions on how/when to apply your Paula's Choice products can be found in our How to Put Together Your Own Skin-Care Routine article.

Hydralight One Step Face Cleanser:

Do I still need to use an eye or face makeup remover?
Only if you are wearing waterproof mascara or waterproof makeup. Otherwise, this cleanser is effective at gently removing all other types of eye makeup. If an eye makeup remover becomes necessary for tenacious makeup, be as gentle as possible, or you can try going over the eye area again with your face cleanser.

I have normal to dry skin that gets oilier in the summer - would Hydralight One Step Face Cleanser for Normal to Oily/Combination Skin be a good seasonal choice?
Yes! The lightweight, refreshing gel texture of One Step Face Cleanser for Normal to Oily/Combination Skin is ideal for use during the humid summer months if you have normal to dry skin.

Hydralight Healthy Skin Refreshing Toner:

What do toners "tone"? I thought Paula didn't recommend toners!
Paula has always recommended toners that are well-formulated. Toners can be a great after-cleansing step to be sure you've removed all your makeup. When properly formulated, they soothe skin and add hydrating ingredients to make skin softer, not to mention they're another leave-on source for antioxidants and other ingredients that improve skin's healthy functioning.

Healthy Skin Refreshing Toner is an excellent choice for normal to oily/combination skin. It provides a weightless finish, and although it feels very light, it supplies skin with potent antioxidants and anti-irritants. Healthy Skin Refreshing Toner is a great option for those who want more protection and a soothing, soft, feeling on their skin, particularly those with sensitive skin. To get the benefits of both toners for normal to oily/combination skin, you may want use Healthy Skin Refreshing Toner in the morning and Skin Balancing Toner in the evening.

Skin Perfecting 1% BHA Lotion:

Your AHA (glycolic acid) products have a higher percentage than your BHA (salicylic acid) products. Does this mean AHA is a stronger exfoliant?
AHA products are most effective at a 5% to 10% concentration and BHA at 1% to 2% concentration. Think about it like making bread, the amount of yeast you need is tiny in comparison to the amount of flour you use but equally important to get the results you want. The percentage of effectiveness varies depending on the ingredient. Rest assured that the BHA products are not any less effective due to lower concentrations of the exfoliant.

What strength of BHA should I use? Will a higher concentration provide better and faster results?
Which BHA strength you opt to use should be based on your skin type and the stubbornness (or severity) of your acne or blackheads. The 1% BHA strength is a great starting point to see how using a pH-correct BHA can improve the skin's condition. The 2% concentrations can be a next level to see how that benefits skin.

Hydralight Moisture-Infusing Lotion:

How is HydraLight Moisture-Infusing Lotion different from the former Completely Non-Greasy Moisturizing Lotion?
The major differences are that HydraLight Moisture-Infusing Lotion has a silkier feel, an even smoother application, and contains a greater array of antioxidants than Completely Non-Greasy Moisturizing Lotion. Texture- and finish-wise, the two moisturizers are quite similar.

I have normal to oily skin with dry patches. Should I use HydraLight Moisture-Infusing Lotion or Skin Balancing Moisture Gel?
HydraLight Moisture-Infusing Lotion leaves a finish that leaves skin feeling more moisturized than Skin Balancing Moisture Gel. Skin Balancing Moisture Gel leaves a silky matte finish on the skin, and is a better choice for oily to very oily skin with surface dryness or those who need light moisturizing but don't want any after-feel. Both moisturizers work well under makeup.