Paula's ChoiceSKIN PERFECTING 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant with Glycolic Acid Soothing Chamomile & Green Tea, Leave-On Gentle Exfoliator

I absolutely adore this stuff. I have had skin issues and blemishes for over a decade and my skin is finally much clearer than I ever thought possible and that is completely thanks to chemical exfoliation.If you cannot afford Paula's Choice I highly recommend CorSx or other asian beauty brands that have AHA/BHA that are cheaperThis is the first AHA I tried, and it is the only AHA I use now. It prevents acne, improves my skin texture and helps me get rid of CCsImportant: if you have closed comedones (those little black things in your nose that you might think are blackheads) chemical exfoliation and oil cleansing could be a miraculous thing for you (as it was for me)The strange way I oil cleanse with this product to get as many grits as possible (grits are CCs, sebum, dead skin that you can get out of your skin with oil cleansing, it is so wonderfully satisfying and fun to do this! please try this at least once to see how your skin responds, my skin looks so clear and smooth the day after it's amazing).apply Paula's Choice BHA 2% (or a similar product, stridex in the red box works as well but only in the red box and not the green because the green does not have the proper PH, if you are new to any of this I highly recommend researching online!) - wait 20 minutes for it to workapply Paula's Choice AHA 8% - wait 20 minutes (a lot of people say you don't have to wait, but I find it makes a huge difference - also you could just use one of these, but I've found that both together yield the best results.)apply your oil of choice, I use: Life-Flo Organic Pure Safflower Oil, 16 Ounce it has plenty of 'slip,' and gets me more grits than any other oil (I also mix the oil with other oils like rosehip if I feel like it) - wait five minutes (you can skip that if you're sick of waiting)now massage your face!! so much stuff will come out it's insane. after you do that for at least 5-10 minutes (be gentle! don't rub your face too harshly) - wash your face with a good cleanser (I prefer Cerave foaming cleanser because it has a low ph and it is good for acne-prone skin - also, cleansers should not make your face feel tight or 'squeaky' at all! do not strip your skin) - I also use a konjac sponge for gentle removal (I get these for 89 cents on ebay).Other people recommend putting on a mask like the aztec healing clay mask (which I don't recommend for dry skin) between oil cleansing and the chemical exfoliation for more grits, but that has not worked for me so I don't use the mask.I do this kind of reverse process (normally you apply chemical exfoliators after you cleanse) at least three times a week and my closed comedones are significantly diminished if not entirely gone! (they refill themselves if you stop, there's no permanent way to remove them so this is the best method I've found for emptying them).If you have acne, if you have skin-texture issues, if you want clearer, healthier skin - this product is a must for you! Chemical exfoliation is much gentler than physical exfoliation and much more effective in my experience.This is a holy grail product for me and I urge you to try it out! (IMPORTANT NOTE: if you are new to chemical exfoliants please work up to using it multiple times a week! don't stress your skin out by using it constantly and only use it once a day. Make sure to use plenty of sunscreen with an AHA because it will make your skin more photosensitive!)

I have sensitive, acne prone, combination skin. I started breaking out at 24 and it was on and off. Then, two years ago, I started breaking out to the point where family and friends would ask what was going on. There was no part of my face that did not have acne or congested pores. It was embarassing and painful!Well, let me tell you — this stuff got rid of all my skin problems! I had a mixture of milia, regular acne, and cystic acne on my face. I was using 16% glycolic acid, which only led to angry breakouts. Once I switched over to this, I started seeing fantastic results. Warning: clogged pores or burgeoning pimples will come to the surface or “purge.” However, you will know if something is not working for you if you start breaking out in angry and inflamed acne (especially in areas you don’t usually break out in). This was thankfully not the case for me.It took about four months for my skin to completely clear. It even cleared up stubborn spots that other products were ineffective in.My skin is very sensitive and this has not irritated it. One tiny drop is enough to spread on my entire face. I noticed that it stings a bit and can be drying when I use more than usual.I am so thankful I found this product! I had a baby two months ago and my skin has remained clear postpartum. This was not the case with my first two babies! Even when I’m tired and fatigued, my skin still has a fresh glow from the product. I haven’t had a “glow” since my early 20s. I am now 31.Please try this! I was desperate and prayed this would work for me. And it actually did- so it might work for you too! I started out with the travel product and I just ordered a full size.This is my routine for my fellow acne sufferers: FAB beauty face wash, cerave am light moisturizing fluid, Clinique moisture surge (at night), and ddf 5% benzoyl peroxide in the am. I use PC aha gel at night only.Update 5/28/19I have consistently used this every night since my last review. My skin has continued to IMPROVE. I can now leave the house WITHOUT foundation! This is something I haven't been able to do since my college days and that was a decade ago! When I do break out on my chin, my pimple either never surfaces and disappears or comes to a head (which I pop) and heals within a day. A DAY! This is AMAZING for someone who previously had cysts that would remain under the surface for one week, and then would take another week to heal. It was embarrassing to leave the house or when I had unexpected visitors. If you constantly have breakouts, then you probably understand how it can lead you to not want to leave the house, avoid sitting in front of the window, avoid the outdoors because your acne appears more visible, despise overhead lighting (casts unflattering shadows on your face due to textured skin). Even though it's "just acne," your life is often affected because you feel so self-conscious. I cannot recommend this product enough. This is the one product I currently cannot live without. You must try this one! What can you lose?!

This product leaves my face feeling soft and smooth. The only downside is it does sting if there is a small cut/sore on the face. I would avoid using in that area when applying.

I don't know why, but i've tried dozens of skin care products before, but nothing is as incredible as paulas choice in general lol considering i'm starting to show signs of aging, i decided to try out some glycolic acid. I was so happy to see paulas choice had one! I already use their tinted sunscreen everyday, I used their moisturizer, toner and facial cleanse. I've never been like....dedicated to a brand before, but after trying tons of different products, i just one day realized everything i had in my cabinet that i knew has shown actual results all just happened to be paulas choice and this is no different.My skin feels so soft and lavish i'm worried i'll break out because i cant stop touching it lol i will always and forever be a paulas choice fan :)