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Kalhwa7alap- hello everyone! Hope you’ve all been having a splendiforous March! We finally got away and got to have our Valentine’s dinner over the weekend- almost a month late. Better late than never, right?
I’ve also been trying out some new skincare, and one of the packages that arrived was from Paula’s Choice– so I knew I was in for a treat! If you like well-researched, well-formulated, no-nonsense skincare with scientifically-proven ingredients, at a reasonable price, look no further! The box contained the brand’s cult status Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, Omega+ Complex Serum, and Youth Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid. Read on for the deets!
Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
The 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, formulated with salicylic acid, continues to be a HG product for me- so I was thrilled to have a replacement as I’ve been out for a while…lol. (You can read my initial review here– one of the first ones I did when we started this site!)
I have oily/combo skin, so this tends to be a bit too heavy for me for wearing under makeup- as it leaves a bit of a film that takes a while to absorb, and I’m usually in a hurry. I use this in the evenings after cleansing and toning, let it absorb for about 20 minutes or so, then follow up with my other skincare products.
The thing I like about this is that salicylic acid is oil-soluble, so it can penetrate into pores more easily than AHAs, so if you have problems with acne, this is perfect. It’s also great for addressing fine lines due to the exfoliating properties.
Omega+ Complex Serum
Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Serum for all skin types is formulated with chia and flax seeds, so it’s basically superfood for your skin! The omega fatty acids provide the essential nutrients needed to strengthen the surface of the skin an protect against environmental damage.
This serum is packaged in an opaque, air-tight pump bottle, which helps protect from degradation and impurities. It’s also convenient! The formula is like the consistency of a light weight lotion, and goes on very smoothly. I didn’t notice any stickiness or greasy feeling, and it left my skin smooth and hydrated.
I alternate retinoids with BHAs, and I didn’t have any problems when using with either one. I used a moisturizer on top of this due to the drier winter weather, and it worked perfectly. I will say that this will possibly be too heavy to use as a serum in the summer, and I think it would work wonderfully on its own, without a separate moisturizer- I’ll simply try layering sun screen on top.
Youth Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid
If you’ve kept up with our site, you probably already know that sun protection is my #1 anti-aging go-to. Not only does UV light cause premature aging and cancer, but failing to protect our skin can undo all the good “work” we’ve done with other products.
If I know I’m going to be outside for any length of time, I layer sun protection and use foundation, powder, and setting sprays containing SPF in addition to actual sunscreen. This allows me to be more confident in *hoping* I’m still somewhat protected even when I forget to reapply (or when it’s inconvenient…lol). This means I need products that work well together and aren’t too heavy or greasy.
Paula’s Choice Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid with Broad Spectrum SPF 50 fits the bill perfectly. It’s appropriate for normal, oily, and combination skin, and also helps minimize the appearance of pores. It can be used as your moisturizer, or even in addition to another moisturizer. Woo hoo!!
Not only is this formulated with a ton of great skin-friendly botanicals that serve as antioxidants, but the active sun protection ingredients are chemical as opposed to mineral- this is a HUGE plus for me when I’m layering products or when it’s hot and humid. Physical or mineral sun screens often feel too heavy and make my skin feel “suffocated.” Also, if you’re going to be in photos, this is less likely to leave a white cast than minerals.*
I have yet to try a Paula’s Choice product that isn’t well-formulated. As we’re all different with differing skin types and environments, I’ve tried some that aren’t quite right for me, but were perfect for a family member or friend. I really appreciate the thought and time put into not just product formulas, but into education. The Paula’s Choice site is wonderful with transparency and ingredients, and has a section that goes into depth explaining them.
Head over to PaulasChoice.com for more info or to purchase!
Shop AHA and BHA Leave-On Exfoliants at Paula’s Choice Skincare!
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