Exfoliating 1% Beta Hydroxy Acid Lotion using Salycilic Acid (BHA) - Blackheads with Normal/Combination Skin: Paula's Choice Skin Care & Cosmetics

Product Rating:

(18 reviews)

Very good product!
Absorbs perfectly and pretty quickly without leaving an annoying film, and doe exactly what it is supposed to do. My blackheads are lighter and dissappearing and my skin is clearing up when used alongside the PC Blemish fighting solution
—Ben

jennifer
This product is terrific! The redness and bumps on my cheeks disappeared within a week and friends tell me they're envious of my healthy looking skin. I'm so happy with my new, clear and glowing skin. Don't hesitate to try this wonderful stuff!
—jennifer hudson

GENTLE BUT EFFECTIVE
no other bha product i've tried works as well as this. no more breakouts and very gentle - paula's products are superior.
—kathleen

I can already see the difference
I am slowly trying to wean myself off of ProActiv and switch to Paula's Choice products. I started using just the 1% BHA lotion about 3 weeks ago to see how my skin could handle it, and it has been great. My complexion already looks more even and toned, and my makeup seems to look better too as it does not seem to sink into my pores so much. Thank you Paula!
—Michelle

It's Just Okay
My skin still gets embarrassingly flaky with this lotion exfoliant. For such an expensive product, I expected more. Even the packaging is unsatisfactory; I accidentally dropped the tube from a metre high height, and the lid somehow snapped and broke right off. I don't even know how that happened, the lid was snapped shut... the packaging could be better.
—Elle H.

Satisfactory
This product is OKAY. Not the greatest. Packaging is kind of cheap for such an expensive product. You don't get a lot either. Sort of works. Sort of doesn't. Better off with the 2% BHA.
—Joan C.

essential
I've been using 2.5% benzoyl peroxide gel for years, and it has helped with really bad breakouts, but my skin hasn't exactly been clear. After only a few days of using Paula's 1% BHA I can finally leave the house without makeup! My skin tone hasn't been this even since I was 13. The lotion is really silky. I might try the 2%BHA lotion when it's back in stock.
—meg

not that great
I have been using this product as directed as well as the blemish fighting solution and have noticed that my skin is much smoother. As far as getting rid of blackheads on my nose I have noticed no real change and my monthly breakout which is the same spot every month still occurs even while making sure I apply product to that area. I'm going to finish the product because its too expensive to just throw away and maybe my blackheads will clear up by then. We'll see.
—Monica Martinez

1% BHA
I used a sample and I love it. It absorbs quickly and I've noticed a change in my complexion. *(good way). I would definitely recommend 1% BHA to anyone and I am definitely planning on using this product as part of my daily regime.
—Nav

Wow!!!
This is so far the best skin care product I've ever used! After applying it the first time, I could see a difference the next morning, and I rarely see such a difference when I use other brands. My skin got so much smoother and makeup looks much better on it. I will order the full size, and buy Paula's exfoliating product for my mom as well. Thank you so much!
—Chau

Don't ever reformulate this gem!
This is an amazing product. It absorbs very well, and doesn't leave a sticky/goopy film on my skin (like your 2% gel does). I use it 3 or 4 times a week at night, and my skin looks great the next morning. I also use it on occasional breakouts to tone down the redness. Paula, please don't ever re-formulate this product!
—Diana

Not bad
So far no irritation whatsoever but feel itchy sometime. Mainly around the nose. I still got blackhead around Tzone area. Not as bad as before but at least I don't need to extract it so often like I used to.
—Sisilia

Like the product, hate the packaging
Love the product, works well for my combination skin...But the packaging leaves so much to be desired like some of her other products. Sometimes difficult to get out and the printing easily flakes off on my fingertips - sorry don't want to put the ink on the my skin. The previous plastic bottles used by Paula's Choice a few years ago were so much better. This bottle also easily dents.
—Amanda

Skin healer:)
It was the first time I used any exfoliant. As it was very good for my face and I had terrible pimples on my back I tried it there and it healed my back - opened my pores and everything dissapeared. Great! Now I switched to BHA 2% but I still think about this product very well.
—Joanna

nice product, lousy bottle
This seems to be a nice product. Although I have on;y been using it a week I like the results. Sadly the bottle is terrible quality packaging. After three uses it had creases in the thin and brittle plastic sides, it isn't easy to get the lotion out, and the words are wearing off, which is a bummer for the price.
—Aarin

Worked best for me
I'm 35 and really LOVE this 1% BHA lotion. The 2% was too irritating for me and the gel didn't work well under makeup. The lotion is my fav because it almost feels moisturizing and disappears on my skin. I use the 2.5% Blemish Fighting Solution and don't always use a moisturizer except for the Skin Recovery under my eyes (which is a miracle cream for lines). I've always had to battle bouts of acne, but Paula's products have made a real difference. I can walk out to the bus stop without makeup and not be embarrassed. Thank you and DO NOT stop making this!!
—Sheila

Severe allergy
Had a terrible allergic reaction to this product even though I have used BHA products before and am not allergic to aspirin. I do no have sensitive skin and wonder what type of ingredient besides salicylic acid that could have caused this reaction. Customer Care Respone: We regret that this product did not work for you. Because each person is different, we cannot be sure what your skin reacted to. Please contact our customer service team via Live Chat or email for additional assistance and product recommendations.
—Kat

Love this Exfoliant!
I love this product! I am 32yrs. old and I have used the exfoliants that you rub on and rinse off with all sorts of ingredients. I had tried them all. I still had dry, flaky skin around my mouth, forehead and nose. I use moisturizer twice a day and still had flakiness. I ordered Paula's 1%BHA lotion and I am thrilled! It has exfoliated the dry patches of my skin without irritation!! I use her moisturizer after the exfoliator and the results are wonderful. Thank you for your formulation that actually does what it claims to do!!! Thank you!
—Elizabeth

What makes this product unique?
Exfoliating 1% BHA Lotion has a lightweight lotion texture that works to reveal smooth, clear skin by exfoliating both the skin's surface and inside the pore. Because BHA helps reshape the pore lining, it unclogs pores and exfoliates the built up layers on the outside of skin while improving cell turnover rate. The result is healthier, smoother skin. This creates a dramatic improvement in the skin's appearance, feel, and function, especially if blemishes are a concern. There is a great deal of research indicating that BHA (beta hydroxy acid) increases collagen production and drastically smoothes the surface of skin. Additionally, BHA has anti-bacterial properties that attack blemish-causing bacteria. This elegant formula is non-occlusive, contains no waxy, heavy ingredients and absorbs easily, setting to a soft matte finish.

This product is 100% fragrance- and colorant-free with a pH range of 3.2-3.6. Every Paula's Choice BHA product is formulated with additional soothing agents.

Who is this product for?
All skin types may use this product, but the texture is especially suited for those with normal to dry skin.

NOTE: Those allergic to aspirin (acetylsalicylate) should not use products containing salicylic acid (beta hydroxy acid).

How should this product be used?
Exfoliating 1% BHA Lotion can be used once or twice daily after cleansing and toning. You can apply a moisturizer or sunscreen over it as well.

Apply to clean skin. Dispense a dime-sized amount and massage over face, including around the eyes (avoid the lower lash line and eyelids). Do not rinse off. Follow with Paula's Choice CLEAR Acne Fighting Treatment (if needed), moisturizer, and/or specialty product. For daytime, wear under a product rated SPF 15 or higher.

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).

Directions: Apply to clean skin. Dispense a dime-sized amount and massage over face. Follow with a Paula's Choice Blemish Fighting Solution (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.

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.