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Aang aang- hello! Hope your week has gotten off to a fabulous start!
I’m SO not looking forward to the changing weather! I’m not a fan of being stuck down here in Louisiana (those pesky allergies and pollen!), but I LOVE the heat (and the crawfish!). The GOOD thing about changing seasons is that it’s a great excuse to re-evaluate our skincare routines!
I got a package from Paula’s Choice, and when I opened it, there were two AWESOME products that will be PERFECT to get through the changing environmental conditions. Well, actually, these particular products are great year-round! Paula’s Choice is a brand from Paula Begoun, one of the skincare gurus I respect the most. I’ve used her books as a reference for many years, and even when I started blogging, I still refer to her “Beautypedia” quite often.
Because of her knowledge and desire to only use quality ingredients backed by research, I know Paula’s Choice products are all going to be well-formulated. (Hey, she literally wrote the book on formulations, right?!) So, it’s usually just a matter of finding which products work the best on my skin at any given time. Keeping reading to find out more deets on the Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant and Peptide Booster!
2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
I was thrilled about the 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant– as it’s a product I’ve used before (see my review here), and it’s long gone and used up. So, a fresh bottle, in the brand’s revamped packaging, is a welcome addition to add back into my routine. Although my skin is sensitive, I’m also oily, so I love that this is salicylic acid-based, as this BHA is oil-soluble and can penetrate deep into pores. BHAs are also gentler than AHAs, so no irritation!
The formula has kind of a “slippery” texture, about the thickness of water, maybe slightly thicker. It can tend to leave a bit of a film on the skin, but when worn with other skincare products, it’s not really noticeable. If I’m going to wear a full face of makeup and it’s humid outside, I’ll let the 2% BHA dry first, wait about 15-20 minutes, rinse it off, then apply the rest of my regimen.
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When I feel like I need a bit more exfoliation, I add products with AHAs after using the 2% BHA. This also seems to help the AHAs penetrate better, although I don’t do this daily or it would cause too much irritation (always do a test spot first!). Another great thing about the 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is that since it’s oil-soluble, it’s great for acne-prone skin, without causing flare-ups due to irritation. There’s not really any discernible scent, so no worries if you’re sensitive to fragrances.
Peptide Booster
If you’ve kept up with us, you probably know peptides are a fave ingredient of mine when it comes to skincare. Peptides are short amino acid chains known for cellular communication- cell proliferation, migration, protein regulation, etc. This results in a plethora of processes, such as growth, immunity, defense, and reproduction (Schagen, 2017). Basically, peptides have the ability to encourage collagen production, and repair the skin. Pretty awesome, huh?
Newer research has shown that, especially with aging skin, larger molecules can pass through the skin barrier. That aspect, along with the ability to modify synthetic peptides, means various functions can be targeted, such as solubility, stability, and increased penetration (Schagen, 2017). Paula’s Choice Peptide Booster contains a concentrated dose of eight peptides that target wrinkles, dullness, discoloration, and loss of firmness.
Peptide Booster is housed in a sleek glass bottle with a dropper. I love the no-frills approach to the new style of packaging- it looks attractive, but they make it very simple to see what you’re getting. I do wish this was a pump bottle, though, instead of a dropper. While air exposure isn’t such a big deal with peptides as it is with antioxidants, I still prefer something air-tight. And… I’m very clumsy and prone to spilling things…lol!
However, there’s no need to repeatedly dip fingers into the product, and the dropper makes it easy to dispense the exact amount desired. Plus, there’s kind of a rubbery part inside the opening that helps keep the bottle sealed off from air when it’s closed. The serum is light, spreads easily, absorbs quickly, and doesn’t feel sticky. There’s a very light, barely-there smell that’s pleasant- and there’s no added fragrance, so whatever it is, it’s natural.
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As expected, I’m so pleased with both of these products. I like how quickly they absorb, and that there’s no stickiness or irritation. Not only do they “agree” with my skin, they also work well with other skincare products in my regimen. If you want a glow without irritation, check out the 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant and Peptide Booster at PaulasChoice.com!
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20% Off RESIST & CLINICAL Anti-Aging Collections at PaulasChoice.com! Valid: 9/14 – 9/18
Sources:
Paula’s Choice (2019). Peptide Booster. Paula’s Choice, LLC. Retrieved 13 September 2019 from www.paulaschoice.com.
Schagen, S. (2017). Topical peptide treatments with effective anti-aging results. MDPI, 22 May 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2019, from www.mdpi.com.
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