These Paula’s Choice Viral Skincare Products Come Complete with the Stamp Approval from Our Beauty Editor
For some, good skin comes easily. Wash it with anything and follow just the bare minimum, and the skin looks healthy, radiant, and glowing. However, for the rest of us, achieving good skin that exudes natural youthfulness requires a lot of work, as well as curating the perfect skincare routine. In the event of the latter, one of the most efficacious skincare lines to truly make a difference in its appearance is Paula's Choice. This popular brand works hard to transform the skin and make skin concerns a thing of the past, thanks to products that are deep-seated in efficacious ingredients and innovative formulations. No matter your skin type or biggest skin concerns, each product in the Paula's Choice lineup delivers improvements to help boost your skin confidence. Ahead, our resident beauty editor, Elise Tabin, tries out the brand's best sellers and shares what works and what she's currently obsessed with, thanks to formulations that truly deliver stellar results and true transformation.
Editor Beauty Profile
- Skin Type: Oily and mature(ing)
- Skin Tone: Light
- Skin Concern(s): Discoloration, Redness, Fine Lines and Wrinkles, Acne
About Paula's Choice
Before Paula's Choice was a viral skincare brand, founder Paula Begoun was all about being an original disruptor. Controversial throughout her entire career, it took Begoun three decades to bring Paula's Choice, one of the world's first online beauty brands, to where it is today; yet, the brand has always centered on creating great products supported by hard-hitting information.
The Paula's Choice brand doesn't pride itself on using only natural or clean ingredients, but instead tells the story that both good and bad ingredients are formulated in the lab, as well as those that come from nature. Each has its pros and cons, and despite the evolution of skincare research, Paula's Choice remains committed to uncovering the truth. Today, the brand has earned a reputation as one of the most forward-thinking, science-backed companies that takes the guesswork out of skincare for consumers.
Quick Facts:
- Founder: Paula Begoun
Beauty Realm: Skin Care, Sunscreen Known for: Paula's Choice SKIN PERFECTING 2 BHA Liquid Exfoliant - Derm-Recommended: Yes
Paula's Choice Review
Paula's Choice SKIN PERFECTING 2 BHA Liquid Exfoliant
For skin that's easily clogged and prone to breakouts, blackheads, dullness, and enlarged pores, this iconic best seller is a skincare routine must-have. To dislodge impurities from the pores' lining and control oil production, apply this twice-daily leave-on exfoliant, which helps create clearer, glowy skin that's downright gorgeous.
$37.00
Personal Review: "I've struggled with breakouts and acne spots for as long as I can remember. Although my skin is relatively clear these days, my pores still get clogged from time to time, and blackheads and pimples appear when I least expect them. When I noticed a nasty and large zit on my chin, I immediately reached for this liquid exfoliant, and it did the job. Just a few swipes of it (on a cotton pad) onto the pimple and by morning, it was about 75% of its size, accompanied by zero redness or dryness. I've also been using the exfoliant every other day on my skin to help shed some of the dead skin that's built up, and it's doing a great job. My skin feels and looks smoother, bumps on my chin are gone, and the best part is that my skin never feels stripped, dry, or flaky from this miracle worker!"
Key Ingredients: Green tea, salicylic acid (BHA), methlypropaneidol
The Texture: Liquid
How to Apply: On clean skin, apply the exfoliator into your hands or a cotton pad and gently massage it onto the face and neck, avoiding the eye area.
The Transformation: With fewer dead skin cells on the skin's surface and pores free of oil, dirt, and impurities, the skin appears smoother and more radiant. Expect hard-to-remove bumps and blackheads to dissolve and disappear, and for your makeup to apply more evenly without cracking or settling.
Paula's Choice CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment
Send common signs of aging, such as wrinkles, lines, a loss of firmness, and uneven skin tone, packing thanks to this 1% retinol and peptide-packed formula. Ideal for smoothing out skin imperfections and restoring a natural tautness to the skin, this youth-boosting lotion-like treatment helps undo the effects of sun damage, resulting in more resilient, softer skin with reduced discoloration over time.
$65.00
Personal Review: "As a longtime retinol user, I expect a lot from my retinol products. Over the years, I've tried many formulas, and few are as moisturizing to the skin as this one. Even though it features 1% retinol, which is quite concentrated, this formula never leaves my skin red, irritated, or with dry, patchy areas. Instead, it revs up skin cell turnover to introduce fresh, new skin to the surface while whisking away signs of discoloration and areas where aging is evident. After applying this retinol lotion to my skin at night, I wake up to a glowy, firmer complexion that looks fresh and healthier."
Key Ingredients: Vitamin A (retinol), peptides, plant extracts
The Texture: Light lotion
How to Apply: Smooth a pea-sized pump over the face and neck after cleansing, toning, and exfoliating. Start by using the treatment three times a week and gradually increase to use it every night. Always apply sunscreen in the daytime.
The Transformation: The more frequently you use this retinol treatment, the brighter, softer, and smoother the skin becomes. At the same time, it can take a few months to notice improvements in the skin (especially if you are new to retinol), such as less noticeable lines and wrinkles, and an overall enhanced skin tone and texture.
Paula's Choice 10 Azelaic Acid Booster
Reach for this multi-purpose skin booster whenever you want to address the root cause of discoloration and redness without irritating your skin. Compatible with all skin types, including those that are reactive and prone to breakouts, use the lightweight cream-gel formula on its own or add it to your favorite moisturizer or serum to enhance its effects. Packed with azelaic and salicylic acids, as well as botanical ingredients, it helps to even out the skin's tone, making it more uniform, smoother, healthier-looking, and more youthful.
$39.00
Personal Review: "This is one of the most elegant azelaic acid treatments I've ever used. Most of the ones on the market have a medicinal scent, but this one doesn't. As my skin gets older, I'm noticing more dark spots and redness around my nose and upper lip, and rather than resorting to lasers all the time, this silky booster helps to brighten those areas, so my skin looks more uniform in color from one area to the next."
Key Ingredients: Azelaic acid, salicylic acid, adenosine
The Texture: Cream-gel
How to Apply: Apply the booster alone or mix it into a moisturizer or serum on clean skin in the morning or evening.
The Transformation: On average, it can take four to 12 weeks to see the benefits of azelaic acid reducing redness and discoloration, but you'll notice calmer skin after the first few applications.
Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster
This new and improved version of Paula's Choice best-selling 15% vitamin C comes with the added benefit of minimized irritation (typical of vitamin C serums), so you can enjoy the benefits of the serum without redness, dryness, or skin sensitivities. Perfect for targeting dull-looking skin, fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots in normal, dry, oily, and combination skin, the formula also gives the skin a beautiful glow in just 15 minutes thanks to ingredients like ferulic acid and ergothioneine.
$55.00
Personal Review: "I never go a day without wearing vitamin C on my skin, and since discovering this one, I can't stop reaching for it every morning. I love that it blends well with other skincare products and makeup, resulting in no pilling, and that it adds a luminous boost to my skin, making it look radiant and not flat. No matter if I wear it alone or under moisturizer, the nongreasy booster gives my skin a nice firmness to it with a pretty glow that rivals my favorite highlighter."
Key Ingredients: Ascorbic acid, ferulic acid, ergothioneine, peptides
The Texture: Serum-like
How to Apply: Apply a few drops of booster to clean skin twice a day. Apply an even layer across the face and neck.
The Transformation: In just 15 minutes, skin appears glowy and brighter. With regular use, the vitamin C-based formula helps to bring a natural radiance to the skin, brightening it and reducing the appearance of wrinkles and lines, for skin that looks more invigorated and lively.
Paula's Choice SKIN BALANCING Pore-Reducing Toner
Oily and acne-prone skin tends to benefit significantly from a daily-use toner that helps balance the skin, control oil production, and minimize the appearance of enlarged pores. This toner does just that, and more. Providing a dose of light hydration, the ultra-light fluid helps to refresh and nourish the skin for a smoother, more even-looking, and less shiny complexion.
$29.00
Personal Review: "I always reach for a toner after washing my face, and my first impression of this one was how comforting it was to my skin. Whereas most toners strip away essential moisture, this one infuses my skin with a touch of hydration, so it feels soft, smooth, and never dry. I also love how this toner removes any extra dirt and makeup left on my skin (I can see it on the cotton round), and how it leaves behind a nice glow—a bonus that most toners don't offer."
Key Ingredients: Cholesterol, burdock, chamomile, ceramides, niacinamide, sodium hyaluronate
The Texture: Light fluid
How to Apply: After washing your face, gently swipe a cotton pad with a small amount of toner across your face and neck. Do not rinse off the toner. Continue with the rest of your skincare routine.
The Transformation: After using this toner, the skin is left feeling clean and revitalized, with fewer dead skin cells, dirt, oil, and makeup on the surface. This results in fewer clogged pores, breakouts, and improved skin clarity and radiance.
Paula's Choice CLINICAL Niacinamide 20% Treatment
For smoother, tighter-looking skin and less noticeable pores, this niacinamide-rich treatment works wonders in diminishing the appearance of clogged pores, dull-looking skin, and blackheads in all skin types, including normal, oily, combination, and dry. Reach for this first-of-its-kind serum. Proven to penetrate the skin's surface and reduce the appearance of skin bumps, acne marks, blotchy skin tone, and orange-peel skin, the treatment serum helps to normalize oil production to prevent rough, bumpy skin dramatically.
$55.00
Personal Review: "Niacinamide is one of my favorite skincare ingredients, and I love how gentle it is in this 20% formula. At night, on clean skin, I apply a few drops of this treatment all over my face, neck, and chest, and let it do its magic. It's always the serum I reach for when my skin starts to look a little lackluster, or when the pores around my nose and on my chin begin to appear congested. In just a few days, this treatment smooths out any roughness and bumpiness, always making my skin tone appear more even. This is one skin treatment that everyone can benefit from, regardless of your age or skin type."
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, acetyl glucosamine, purslane, licorice root extract
The Texture: Liquid serum
How to Apply: Apply one to two drops of the treatment onto clean skin, concentrating on the face, neck, and chest.
The Transformation: If you're looking for a skin-safe, gentle way to fade discoloration sans irritation, peeling skin, or dry patches, then this niacinamide treatment is the one to use. It effectively makes the skin more even in every sense of the word—tone and texture, especially while unclogging pores and creating a more even appearance.
Paula's Choice FAQs
Do Dermatologists Recommend Paula's Choice?
Paula's Choice is a long-standing dermatologist-approved and favored product for numerous reasons. Thanks to effective ingredients, science-backed formulas, and cutting-edge skincare innovations, dermatologists recommend Paula's Choice skincare products. The brand's reputation and dedication to improving skin concerns across the board also make it a derm favorite.
What's the right way to use Paula's Choice Exfoliant?
This viral, best-selling exfoliator is an easy way to unclog pores and achieve smoother skin, but the key to achieving good results lies in using it properly. First, always wash your face so that the skin is clean, providing a good base. Then, gently shake the bottle and pour the product into the palm of your hand or a cotton pad. Apply the solution to the face and neck and do not rinse.
When using Paula's Choice Exfoliant, it's best to begin by applying the product every other day and then gradually increase to twice-daily use. Also, always apply sunscreen to the skin during the day when using this product.
Can you use Paula's Choice Exfoliant with Retinol?
One of the significant benefits of using Paula's Choice products is that they pair well with your favorite skincare ingredients. That means the Exfoliant can be used with retinol, retinoids, niacinamide, vitamin C, peptides, and nearly all other actives, as it helps enhance the absorption of these ingredients.
Can you use Paula's Choice Exfoliant with Vitamin C?
Paula's Choice Exfoliant pairs nicely with vitamin C since the product is designed to work in tandem with other popular skincare ingredients. That's because the chemical exfoliator relies on ingredients to penetrate deep inside the pores, clearing them out and preventing breakouts, while vitamin C targets discoloration, stimulates collagen production, and enhances overall skin tone and radiance. It's best to test patch using the two ingredients together first to make sure that they don't leave your skin feeling dry or irritated.
The Bottom Line
If you want the best skin of your life, you need to stockpile your routine with proven skincare products that contain active ingredients that deliver real results. Regardless of what you wish to improve about your skin, it's essential to invest in products that incorporate science and well-sourced ingredients to make a difference in its health and overall appearance. Paula's Choice skincare products offer something for everyone, and with their science-backed, innovative formulas, the viral line continues to outpace the competition simply because they provide dramatic skin transformations you can feel and see.
Elise Minton Tabin is an award-winning beauty journalist, editor, and beauty expert with more than 16 years of experience. She previously held the title of Executive Beauty Editor at NewBeauty magazine, where she reported on beauty, plastic surgery, anti-aging, health and wellness. She was also instrumental in the launch of the beauty supplement brand Hush & Hush. A self-professed beauty junkie and retinol and sunscreen pusher, Elise knows what’s new, what works and who’s the best to go for every procedure under the sun. Follow Elise on Facebook, Instagram, and on her beauty blog, elisetabin.com
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