Paulas choice skin perfecting 2 bha liquid exfoliant target

Paula's Choice has always been a pioneer in skincare. Under the guidance of founder Paula Begoun, the brand has gifted us with many cult-favorite products like the Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant. For nearly three decades, the brand has thrived thanks to its ability to leverage the latest skin science and place its consumer's needs at the forefront of development.

The brand's latest launches—the Clinical Phytoestrogen Elasticity Renewal Serum and Body Treatment—are perfect examples of this. Both products target a prime concern amongst perimenopausal and menopausal women—estrogen deficient skin. Begoun says as women go through menopause, their estrogen levels decrease, which can impact the skin. Specifically, it can cause the skin to become thinner with less collagen, reduced elasticity, increased wrinkling, and increased dryness. "For years, we've known about how sun damage and pollution damage ages skin, but somehow the effect of estrogen loss was not on my radar," Begoun shares. "I wish it had been as I would have done my own skincare very differently 20 years ago."

Begoun's journey with her aging skin and feedback from customers inspired her to find a way to address these concerns. Her quest led her to one dynamic ingredient, phytoestrogens. "I started looking into phytoestrogens several years ago as I was researching issues of estrogen loss that was happening to my own body," she says. "Applied topically, phytoestrogens bind to receptors sites in the skin that communicate to skin that it now has closer to normal estrogen levels, so it can carry on with all the functions that give skin its youthful qualities."

The brand included three non-hormonal soy-derived phytoestrogens in each product's formula: Daidzein increases skin density, suppleness, and strength. Genistein stimulates growth factors in the skin needed to improve and maintain elasticity. It also reduces dryness by restoring important hydrating substances. Equol is a component of daidzein that is rich in antioxidant properties. It also jumpstarts essential processes in the skin that boost smoothness, elasticity, and collagen production.

It took three years for Begoun and her team to perfect the serum and body treatment formulas. "We took extra care to get the formulas just right, ensuring safety and efficacy," she explains. "While early on I saw incredible results for myself in terms of a reduction of crepey texture and increased bounce back of my skin, we never rely on anecdotal results. We did clinical testing to ensure that the products delivered on everything we hoped for—and they did."

When it comes to the serum, which you can apply to your face and neck, a 12-week study revealed promising results. For example, 86% agreed the skin on their face appeared less thin, and 86% said the fine lines and wrinkles on the face appeared reduced. The body treatment—meant for your chest, forearm, and hands—proved equally effective. 86% agreed fine lines and wrinkles on the decolletage appeared reduced, and 83% agreed decolletage appeared less crepey. 

Currently, the Clinical Phytoestrogen Elasticity Renewal Serum is available on the Paula's Choice website, while you can purchase the Body Treatment via Nordstrom. Begoun is excited for these products to enter the market and predicts there will be more launches related to estrogen-deficient skincare in the future. "By 2030, the world population of menopausal and postmenopausal women is projected to increase to 1.2 billion, with 47 million new entrants each year," she notes. "As the word about how estrogen loss impacts skin reaches a broader audience, having solutions for this very specific concern is going to be huge."

Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

1. Thornton MJ. Estrogens and aging skin. Dermatoendocrinol. 2013;5(2):264-270.

2. PubChem. Daidzein.

3. PubChem. Genistein.

4. Setchell KDR, Clerici C. Equol: history, chemistry, and formation. The Journal of Nutrition. 2010;140(7):1355S-1362S.

We put Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant to the test after receiving a complimentary sample from the brand. Keep reading for our full product review.

Exfoliating is one of the keys to attaining glowing, blemish-free skin. After years of using every exfoliating method under the sun, it's safe to say my skin doesn't particularly care for it. Well, if I overdo it or use physical exfoliants that are too harsh on my sensitive skin. Throughout my years of personal research, I find that my skin often responds well to chemical exfoliants as there's a perfect balance of how and when to use them.

I haven't given an exfoliating toner a try in a long time. But, I have noticed my skin hitting a plateau with my current routine, so I decided to add Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant to the mix. Even though I was open to adding this to my routine, I can't say I wasn't nervous about this, leaving my skin dry and irritated after a few uses. Keep scrolling to read more about how my skin reacted to this liquid exfoliator.

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Best for: Oily and acne-prone skin or anyone who experiences texture

Uses: Exfoliation and smoothing skin

Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid and green tea 

Byrdie Clean?: Yes 

Price: $30 

About the Brand: Founded by Paula Begun in 1995, Paula's Choice is one of the first online skincare brands. It's known for its science-backed, clean skincare products along with its online ingredient dictionary.

My Skin: Combination, sensitive with hyperpigmentation 

My skin is very sensitive and reacts within a day or two when it doesn't like a new product. The reaction is usually visible with angry pimples, and skin that is sensitive to the touch. For these reasons, I've whittled my routine down to about six products: a cream cleanser, vitamin C, retinol, a face oil, and a clay mask. Simplifying has helped keep reactive breakouts away. However, this shift isn't helping fade my hyperpigmentation. 

The Packaging: Easy to open and seal

The round grey bottle requires just a couple of light shakes to give enough toner to swipe across my entire face. Once you finish your bottle, you can recycle it on your own or use TerraCycle to send your empties back to be recycled while you earn points to redeem to help nonprofits. 

The Ingredients: Exfoliating and calming 

Two standout ingredients in this formula are salicylic acid and green tea. If you're prone to blackheads, whiteheads, and enlarged pores due to oil production, salicylic acid is a form of BHA that is excellent at keeping those issues in check. However, some can find the breakout buster irritating and drying. In a previous Byrdie story, Ellen Marmur, MD of Marmur Medical and MMSkincare, recommended using salicylic acid in moderation at the start of use to ensure your skin can tolerate it. 

After a full week of use, I could feel and see the difference in my skin texture.

Green tea benefits aren't just for drinking. The skin can benefit too. Green tea contains anti-aging antioxidants called catechins, which help protect the skin from free radicals. In addition, the anti-inflammatory ingredient is often found in formulations with actives like salicylic acid to help topical soothe the skin while your active does its job. 

The Feel: Lightweight 

This exfoliator is lightweight and feels like a toner. 

The Results: The appearance of smaller pores without any irritation 

After a full week of use, I could feel and see the difference in my skin texture. Since I only use this two to three times a week on nights when I don't use retinol, my results may take a little longer to show. I felt a little tingle on my skin the first night I applied the toner, but I woke up the next morning without any irritation or visible angry bumps. Lately, I can skip foundation and only wear concealers, which is always a sign that my skin is changing for the better. My hyperpigmentation spots are still visible, but I think "my spots," as I like to call them, will fade away with continued use. 

The Value: Worth every penny

This product retails around $30. Finding an exfoliator that works without disrupting your skin barrier or causing irritation isn't always the easiest to find for those with sensitive or reactive skin types. You only need a few drops of this, and the bottle design ensures you don't go overboard. I think it's worth the price. 

Similar Products: You have options

Perricone MD No:Rinse Intensive Pore Minimizing Toner ($45): Formulated with salicylic acid, copper complex, and DMAE, this toner exfoliates, plumps, and hydrates. 

Glossier Solution ($24): Made with three acids: alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), beta hydroxy acid (BHA), and polyhydroxy acid (PHA), this daily liquid exfoliator is formulated to zap blemishes, reduce redness, and minimize the appearance of pores. 

Final Verdict

I'm a skeptic when it comes to products with nearly all five-star reviews. But Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant lives up to the hype and has been a visual game-changer for my skin.

How do you use Paula's Choice skin Perfecting 2% BHA liquid exfoliant?

Can I use Paula's Choice BHA exfoliant everyday?

Does Paula's Choice BHA help with blackheads?

Does Paula's Choice ever go on sale?