- Skin type: Combination and blemish-prone.
- Top skin concerns: Congestion, uneven texture, hormonal breakouts.
- Skin sensitivity: Mildly sensitive, prone to redness.
To ensure that I wasn’t just testing the product on one skin type, I also called in the help of Denise Primbet. Denise is GLAMOUR’s former Beauty Commerce Writer who has tested her fair share of face scrubs, toners and other similar products in her time. Denise also tested the product for a month, and has kept it in her regular skincare regimen ever since.
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant: how we tested
I’ve been using Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant for well over a year now, weaving it into both my morning and evening routines depending on what my skin needs. After cleansing, I sweep a small amount across my face using a cotton pad (though sometimes I press it in with my hands), followed by moisturiser. I typically use it 2–3 times a week, but when my skin’s feeling congested, I’ll bump that up to daily use. I’ve tested it through heatwaves, hormonal breakouts and winter dryness, and every time, it leaves my skin noticeably clearer, smoother and more balanced, without any irritation. It’s one of the few skincare products I consistently finish – and immediately repurchase.
GLAMOUR Beauty Writer, Denise Primbet, adds: “My skin loves this formula (side note: I even have my husband hooked on this, and that’s saying something…).”
What does the Paula’s Choice 2% BHA liquid exfoliant do?
In case you’re unfamiliar, Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA is a fast-absorbing, leave-on liquid exfoliant that promises to remove built-up dead skin cells both on the surface of your skin and deep inside your pores to help you achieve smooth and even complexion over prolonged use. Think: smaller pores, brightened skin and a reduction in acne scaring.
This is a pretty sizeable claim, of course, but when you take a closer look at the formulation, the ingredients do support it.
The star of the show is salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid (or BHA) which is commonly-used ingredient found in skincare products aimed for acne-prone skin. It deeply penetrates beyond the skin’s surface, and thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, has been found to dissolve oil, remove grime and therefore reduce the appearance of blackheads, redness and blemishes on its way.
This product works for all skin types, although it’s been proven to work particularly well on oily and acne-prone skin types, and while it is quite potent, it’s one of the more gentle exfoliators you might find among similar products.
Aside from BHA, the lightweight formula also features methylpropanediol, which will aid absorption to maximise the benefits of every ingredient while increasing hydration. Plus, it also has green tea extract, which is known for its antioxidant properties to soothe and protect blemish-prone skin.
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant: GLAMOUR road test
I breezed through my teenage years with barely a blemish, so when adult acne hit in my mid-twenties, it completely knocked my confidence. I was suddenly dealing with angry hormonal breakouts and a constant cycle of flare-ups that no product seemed to help – and many even made worse.
I ended up stripping my skincare routine right back to the bare minimum: a gentle cleanser, a barrier-friendly moisturiser, and this. The Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant was one of the only products that actually made a difference. It helped unclog my pores without irritating my skin, calmed the redness, and slowly but surely brought my complexion back under control.
Follow