Paula's Choice CLEAR Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution, 2% Salicylic Acid Exfoliant, for Mild to Severe Acne & Breakouts, Blackheads and Clogged Pores, Fragrance-Free, 4 Fl. Oz

i've been eyeing Paula's Choice BHA products for months now and could never justify spending $20+ on a toner/acne treatment, even if my skin was acting up as much as it has been. i took the plunge a few days ago and ordered this extra strength BHA treatment to help combat my moderate comedonal acne (mostly nasty whiteheads covering my jawline ): ) that even the best makeup couldn't hide. i received this product saturday evening and immediately cleansed my skin and applied, it felt a little greasy, but i read that this feeling is just due to the helpful penetrating ingredients, so i wasn't worried. it almost instantly started to reduce redness of my existing enflamed acne and scars, and the next morning i noticed a few less comedones and that my pores were a bit smaller/clearer. each time i've used it, my skin had gotten better, and it has not yet dried out my skin, even with twice daily use. in fact, my skin feels hydrated and not tight at all after i use this. this morning was the 6th time i've used this since receiving it, and i noticed something seriously amazing (and maybe a little gross) -- after cleansing, as i wiped this BHA across my skin with a cotton round, comedones started popping out of my pores and clinging to my cotton! i've never seen this with any toner or treatment i've used in the past. i almost cried. i have been so sensitive about my skin over the last few years, being a college student and nearly full-time server. i see so many people daily, and it's really been a struggle trying to keep my skin under control, that is, until now.i will caution you though, that this has brought a few breakouts to the surface of my skin, but is working to clear them quickly while reducing redness, itchiness, and soreness of both the new breakouts and every one of my existing breakouts.if you're iffy about the price of the PC products, i say don't be -- they are completely, 100% worth it.

I'm a 24 year old female who recently developed hormonal acne in the form of an EXTREMELY congested T-zone (white heads/blackheads everywhere), including my cheeks and the sides of my face. I also have huge pores on my nose/cheeks. I've only been using this product for 5 days but it has done more to improve my comedogenic acne than anything, including a topical retina prescribed by my doctor and numerous facials with an esthetician. It essentially got rid of a LOT of the bumps (black/white heads) all over my face and brought to the surface congested material. I still have bumps along my skin but (hopefully) those will soon go away as well. What's left on my skin are VERY stubborn areas (ie along my cheeks) that are probably going to take more than 5 days to disappear. I accidentally bought both the extra strength and regular and have mostly used the regular. I used the extra strength on a couple of stubborn pimples and it was fine and didn't dry me out. Both are also AMAZING for body acne. I used it on my chest, shoulders, and back and it cleared up ALL my body acne in less than 5 days. My experience with congested skin/huge pores is that less is more, but doctors often prescribe retina which is WAY too harsh for comedogenic acne in my opinion. With retina, I was in a constant cycle of eliminating black/whiteheads, dehydrating my skin, getting more clogged pores because my skin is dehydrated, and so on. With this salicylic acid treatment, I DON'T get dehydrated (or, I do, but it is a level of dehydration that is normal and can be solved by using the product every other night/using moisturizer with it). I think part of why I'm not dehydrated on this product is because I use it minimally on my face/more like a spot treatment than a toner. I put some on a cotton ball and dab it on problem areas and dab it very lightly on less problematic areas.If you have comedogenic acne, I would also ABSOLUTELY recommend The Ordinary Niacinamide. In just a couple of days it has shrunk my pores IMMENSELY and reduced redness. It also controls my oil production.

I was shocked it actually worked. I use the face wash as well and it did good but once I added this my skin hardly ever breaks out now. I take my makeup off with a Beekman milk wash and then use the Paula’s exfoliant and then the Paula face wash. Then I use Beekman RX moisturizer. My face never has zits anymore. It’s amazing!