April 29, 2014

Review of Paula's Choice Exfoliant

So I’ve been using Paula’s choice for over a month now and I really do like it! I see a difference in my pores, my skin tone and the blackheads I had. The leave on exfoliant has made a world of difference to me at least who has struggled consistently with large pores due to genetics. I’ve used numerous products from brand names to generic names, nothing seems to work. I either am left with extremely dry skin or it turns red and hurts. When Bzzagent allowed me to have the chance to try this new Exfoliating serum I was more than excited! But I was also nervous as I didn’t know what to expect. I received my kit with my bottle, samples and literature. It comes in a 120ml bottle, and believes me when I say it will last! You sure don’t need very much of it! I wanted to use it right away but I knew first I had to cleanse my face. So I pulled out my Clearasil pads (yes that’s all I can find that was helping me keep most pimples at bay). Cleaned and dried my face, then poured a generous amount of Paula’s on a cotton ball. Well first lesson learned that was way too much! Oops! Oh well I rubbed it all over my face and instantly felt tightness. I thought ok hope this is right! The only downfall I noticed was that it had a sticky/tacky feeling afterwards that lingered. That bugged me some but I definitely felt it working! Sweet.. I can’t wait to see how this works! For me I was using this daily every morning, I’ve read some people who were using it twice a day that I do not recommend at all. The directions said once a day, which was more than enough for me. From website: What makes this product unique? Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant rapidly exfoliates both the skin's surface and inside the pore, reshaping the pore lining, unclogging pores and improving skin cell turnover rate. The result is a dramatic improvement in the skin's appearance, feel, and function which leads to healthier skin. There is a great deal of research indicating that BHA (beta hydroxy acid) increases collagen production and drastically smooths the surface of skin. Additionally, BHA has antibacterial properties that attack blemish-causing bacteria. The lightweight, non-occlusive formula allows for a faster and deeper exfoliation rate than our gel or lotion BHA products, so it's an ideal choice for stubborn clogged pores or blackheads. This product is 100% fragrance- and colorant-free with a pH range of 3.2-3.8. 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 oily or combination skin, stubborn blackheads, and blemish-prone skin. It can also be used regularly to eliminate calluses on feet, elbows and knees. Moving on to a month later, I was looking and checking and noticed that I had nowhere near as many blackheads as I normally do. I thought hm.. wow that’s new for me. The pores while still larger than most people are downsizing which is tremendous for me as that has been a thorn in my side since I was a teenager! And unfortunately I’m one of those who has a few small acne scars from back in the day. **sigh** I also have noticed that my skin is looking healthier overall and I’ve seen less breakouts even during that hormonal time of the month, which has been a big success. I will continue to use this and had originally hoped I’d see some miracles happen, BUT while I am seeing some changes, everything takes time. I’ve read many people saying it’s instant, it is not. It also does not work on everyone’s skin tone either. Always better to try first. Here are my pros/cons for this product: * bottle lasts a long time * Reduced blackheads * Minimal breakouts * No acne * Clearer skin in general * No dryness Cons: * Expensive. Slightly expensive - $23 on amazon * IF you have a tender area it’s likely to sting some. * Still trying to determine if it will actually reduce/eliminate pores and lines. Unfortunately I have no before/after pictures anymore as my son left my cellphone in the rain the other day and well now I’m without a phone and all my pictures… Children.. I tell ya! They have a whole product line and I plan to do some more research to determine if there’s anything else that I can use in conjunction with this and make my skin even better! Give it a try! Thanks to Bzzagent for allowing me the chance to really give this product a try and give an honest review and I have a feeling I will be definitely checking out Paula's other products! All opinions are my own and I received no compensation for this post.