2.23.2015

Paula's Choice Salicylic Acid Review - The Acne Experiment

Paula's Choice Clear Regular/Extra Strength Exfoliant Review - The Acne Experiment


I waited half a month to post this review. Was hoping the results would change retroactively? Perhaps. Whatever, no matter, I'm here now. Let's do this.



I did a Paula's Choice salicylic acid (PC SA) trial from the end of December through January, which is the longest I've tested anything consistently since I started The Acne Experiment. I went with Paula's Choice because they have a lot of options, have a money back guarantee, and seem to be aware of the standards in and the hype surrounding skincare. Think lots of evidence based product formulas, less flashy marketing, skincare buzzwords, or dewy skinned celebrity spokespeople. They also have 7 different formulas for BHA all-over daily face exfoliants, each of which is available in trial and/or sample sizes. (If you don't know what a chemical exfoliant or "BHA" is, go here.)

To minimize breakout potential, I limited this test to the two PC products with less emollient, simplified formulas. Both the extra strength and the regular strength "Clear" exfoliants are 2% salicylic acid (SA) and are silicone and paraben free. I tested them without cleanser and in conjunction with the Aztec Healing Clay. I was not using the mask daily.

Note on PC SA Exfoliants: The Clear Extra Strength and the Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid are the same exact product. PC SA exfoliants are available in 1-2% SA concentrations, and as lotions, gels, and liquids. Lots of options, y'all.


Ingredients:


Method:

  1. Cleanse face with warm water and a wash cloth. Pat dry.
  2. Put about a dime sized amount of the Clear 2% Salicylic Acid Exfoliant in the palm of your hand, then apply it evenly all over the face. 
  3. Yeah I didn't use a cotton ball. I'm a cheap bastard and I refuse to allow a wad of cotton hog my products.
  4. If you do it this way, make sure your hands are freshly cleaned otherwise you'll be spreading hand germs and hamburger grease all over your face.
  5. Do this in the mornings and at night. Reduce to once per day if dryness or irritation occurs.
  6. Optional: Apply the Aztec Clay for about 20 minutes a few times a week prior to applying the salicylic acid.

Conclusions:

Remember how badly I wanted the Dr. Bronners to work? Multiply that by 10 because that's how much longer I was using this stuff for. We went out for a little over a month, and girl, I had blinders on the whole time.

Before & After Paula's Choice Clear Regular Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliation Solution (2% Salicylic Acid)
Before & After Paula's Choice Clear Regular Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliation Solution (2% Salicylic Acid)

Before & After Paula's Choice Clear Regular Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliation Solution (2% Salicylic Acid)
Before & After Paula's Choice Clear Regular Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliation Solution (2% Salicylic Acid)

Initially I though, oh hey, my skin is so soft! The pores on my forehead look fantastic in the mornings! I then learned that everyone's face looks better in the morning (puffiness will do that). I then thought, oh hey, the skin in-between those big ugly red marks looks super clear! The salicylic acid is totally getting in there and cleaning everything out! 

I convinced myself that I was having a problem with all the extra ingredients in the regular strength exfoliating solution and that the extra strength formula, which is simpler, would be amazing. This is the face of denial, girl.

Before & After Paula's Choice Clear Extra Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliation Solution (2% Salicylic Acid) ; "Week 3" = after 3 weeks of the regular strength formula ; "Week 4.5" = after 1.5 weeks of the extra strength formula

Before & After Paula's Choice Clear Regular Strength vs Clear Extra Strength  ; "Week 3" = after 3 weeks of the regular strength formula ; "Week 4.5" = after 1.5 weeks of the extra strength formula

It's hidden by camera angles, but there's a red spot on the side of my nose in the after pics. It was a monster zit. I picked at it because nose zits give me flashbacks to my teen years, aka the period of my life when I first realized my nose was bigger than most of my peers' noses. I picked at it so much that I now have my very first rolling scar, and it's right on my bigger-than-my-peers nose.

My skin was not dry or tight while using either the regular or the extra strength exfoliants. I actually loved my skin tone while using them, which made it so much harder to admit it wasn't working. In all, I counted about 6 deep, angry zits from the PC SA trial, in addition to a ton of less angry zits that still left fun red marks for weeks. My lumpy forehead took a good two weeks to flatten after I stopped using this stuff. I kept at it because I thought it might not be purging, but purging is characterized by whiteheads; redness and inflamed "cystic" acne are a sign of a-no-good situation.

My face didn't like something in these products. Considering how (not) well the Aspirin experiment went, I'm inclined to think that "something" was the salicylic acid. I'd still use it as a spot treatment, but I don't think I'll be using it all over my face without exploring my options first. There are lots of other (exfoliating) fish in the sea. Until our next tango, salicylic acid.


Next Up:  St. Ives Exfoliating Pads

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ALL Acne Experiment Posts are listed at The Acne Experiment MOTHER HUB.
Paula's Choice Salicylic Acid Review - The Acne Experiment
Paula's Choice Salicylic Acid Review - The Acne Experiment

All Images © Crappy Candle / The Acne Experiment
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8 comments

  1. Thanks for your review. I was considering whether or not to try this set. but now I don't think I would. My skin doesn't love SA either..

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  2. I am very sad to hear that your skin didn't like the SA in the products. I also had on my face pretty much the same thing like you,but fortunately, the products from Paula's Choice worked great for me (maybe cause my skin is not so sensitive to certain ingredients - God bless!). I have been using the peelings from her,together with the washing products and the SPF day creams for more than a year now and my skin cleared 90%. I would suggest,if you still have the heart to try them, to use a peeling which doesn't contain SA, like the SKIN PERFECTING PEELING GEL 8% AHA; put pair them maybe with skin-balancing washing cream and hydralight SPF day cream (this is the mix that works the best for me). Also don't forget to drink plenty of water! It really makes a difference :D Good luck!

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    Replies
    1. I actually just put up a review of the Skin Perfecting Gel - sadly, it didn't work as well as I had hoped :( http://www.crappycandle.com/2016/01/paulas-choice-glycolic-acid-review-acne.html

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  3. I'm sorry the product didn't work well for you. I'm having some skin trouble for over a year now (lots of small red bumps on my forehead, cheeks and jawline, along with blackheads in my T zone) and I have just ordered the BHA liquid. I haven't really had any skincare routine up until now and I really blame myself for the problem I have, because my dermatologist confirmed that the lack of regular cleaning and exfoliation led to this (I'm a med student, btw). I don't know whether you have been seen by any doctor, but since this exfoliator worsened your acne, maybe it's some kind of infection, possibly a Staph, which by no means could be cured only by OTC skin products

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    Replies
    1. Things definitely improved after I stopped using it, and I haven't had a reaction like this to anything else. I have seen a doctor as well, so I don't think staph is the culprit, but I'll be sure to ask about it next time I go in. I hope you have better luck with the product!

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  4. I tried the 2% liquid at first and it did weird things to my skin too. I then moved onto the 1% lotion and it's working a dream. I had never really suffered from acne in my teens but over the last 6 months my skin has been truly terible. Like painful. PC BHA was my last attempt before calling in at the doctor. Thankfully it seems to be working. I perhaps think that this works better on skin that suffers breakouts rather than chronic acne, I don't know I'm no doctor, but I am very happy with my 1% lotion! Hope things get better for you x

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  5. Same here. I've tried salicylic acid and it worsen my acne. But, agree with u that it improves skin complexion.. Too bad that it didn't work well for curing my acne.

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  6. I'm actually using their acne kit (trial size), it's only been a week hence I think it's soon to say my verdict. I'm actually wondering how long do I have to use this before I move on to another product, I have them lined up cause I'm just tired of seeing my acne-filled face everyday :(

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