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exfoliant
Paula's Choice

SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Type
Exfoliant
Size
4 fl oz · 1 fl oz (travel)
Key ingredients
2% BHA, green tea, methylpropanediol
Skin types
Normal to oily or combination skin; generally suitable for sensitive skin
Fragrance
Fragrance-free

What users keep saying · from 18 reviews

cleared breakouts11gentle5absorbs quickly2evened skin tone2greasy1irritating1

Mixed with a toner it's incredible on their 51-year-old skin: no dryness, fresh skin and nearly invisible pores.

“I actually mix it with Paula's Choice SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Leave-On Exfoliant and it's incredible.”
positivegentle

Used the Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid on sometimes-sensitive skin: very gentle, and it clearly improved pores, texture and brightness.

“I’ve used the liquid form and it was very easy on my skin -which can be very sensitive at times. It definitely improved pores, texture and brightness.”
positivegentleevened skin tone

A couple of weeks in: no purging and less clogged pores.

“Have been trying Paula's Choice BHA for a couple of weeks and it's good so far! I did not purge and my pores are less clogged now.”
positivecleared breakouts

Used 2–3 times a week for 3–4 months; their closed comedones are nearly gone.

“I have been using this 2-3 times a week for the past maybe 3 or 4 months, and mine are all nearly gone.”
positivecleared breakouts

A long-time holy grail for sebaceous filaments; a bottle lasts ages, though they dislike the shrinking size.

“paula’s choice 2% bha liquid exfoliant has been a holy grail product for many of us for DECADES.”
positivecleared breakouts

Too drying for regular use; now only about once a month on oily areas.

“I can’t use this one regularly, it dries my skin too much. I use Paula’s choice once a month now probably if I don’t forget.”
negative

Disliked the tacky feel at first, but as a spot treatment it's the only thing that helps their hormonal cysts.

“It is the only product that actually helps my hormonal cysts, immediately bought the full size.”
positivecleared breakouts

Felt oily and made them look shiny; the RESIST version layers better.

“I agree with this one, the regular BHA felt on the oily side for me or made me look shiny.”
negativegreasy

Gentle and absorbs easily, though they prefer the RESIST version.

“I find it to be gentle and absorbs easily however I don’t understand why this is their star product when the BHA 2% Resist bottle (light blue) is the same thing with added antioxidants”
positivegentleabsorbs quickly

Loves the liquid exfoliant and rotates it with another toner.

“Yes! I love it! I rotate that one & the ole blue bottle toner.”
positive

After tretinoin failed, two weeks brought their closed comedones up and their best skin in five years, without irritation on dry, reactive skin.

“I gave up on it and took two weeks off from any actives and then used the Paula’s choice BHA liquid for the last two weeks. My skin looks the best it has looked in 5 years.”
positivecleared breakoutsgentle

Older than 36 months. These may describe an earlier version.

With dry skin, they find the 2% BHA Liquid more exfoliating than the lotion, drying down completely with no film.

“I find the liquid to be more exfoliating, and I don’t feel like it leaves a film. It dries down completely”
positiveabsorbs quickly

Far more effective than any cheaper alternative they've tried.

“I’ve definitely found Paula’s Choice BHA liquid to be miles more effective than any cheaper alternative I’ve tried.”
positive

The Paula's Choice BHA Liquid became their staple and changed their skin for the better; always keeps a spare bottle.

“I’m sticking with Paula’s Choice, honestly that BHA liquid is a life saver”
positive

Absolutely loving it; sees better pore visibility after a month or two, with slight dryness near the nose.

“Currently using Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% Liquid Exfoliant and absolutely loving it. Results are awesome.”
positive

Calls the BHA liquid liquid gold for their combination skin.

“the BHA liquid (not the gel, and def not the cream). This stuff is liquid gold for SF.”
positive

With sensitive, dehydrated skin they had no problems using the Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid.

“I have sensitive dehydrated skin too and had no problems using the Paula‘s Choice 2% BHA.”
positivegentle

Skin felt smoother within about a week, and less gunk comes out of their pores.

“I am trying Paula's Choice 2% BHA Exfoliant and my skin started feeling smoother in about a week.”
positive

Their holy grail for blackheads.

“Paulas bha2% liquid is the HG for my blackheads. It’s amazing stuff.”
positivecleared breakouts

The product that did most for their acne-prone skin, after some initial purging and a little dryness.

“Without a doubt it’s the Paula’s Choice BHA Solution. The salicylic acid gets down in the pore and clears you right up. Expect a little purging to start with and for it to be a tad drying”
positivecleared breakouts

Results overnight, and a long-time staple.

“I recommend Paula's Choice 2% BHA liquid, I literally saw results overnight and it's been a staple in my routine for”
positive

Their closed comedones flattened significantly.

“Try Paulas choice for liquid BHA 2% for the CC , This was my first PC producy ever and im glad To say my cc flattened significantly”
positivecleared breakouts

Two weeks: the smallest nose pores ever, but heavy peeling.

“Ugh, I've been using the BHA liquid for 2 weeks and I've never ever seen the pores on my nose so small. EVER. It seriously works. Unfortunately I've also never seen my nose peel so bad.”
mixedirritating

Not much difference and a strange residue.

“I've tried that one, as well as the gel and I didn't notice much of a difference and there seemed to be a weird residue.”
negative

A few months in: no more pimples and much less visible sebaceous filaments, though no help for milia.

“since using the 2% BHA liquid for a few months I don't get pimples anymore, ever. My sebaceous filaments are much much less noticeable.”
positivecleared breakouts

Holy grail for their sensitive, oily, acne-prone skin: reduced dark marks and prevented breakouts.

“I can finally say that Paula's Choice 2% BHA is a holy grail item and has reduced my PIH and prevented any serious acne from surfacing.”
positivecleared breakoutsevened skin tone

With a vitamin C serum, their closed comedones are almost gone and their skin looks great.

“I love this stuff. I'd been using the Silk Naturals BHA that we now know is not the proper PH. By using this and the RESIST C15, my closed comedones are almost completely gone”
positivecleared breakouts