Paula's Choice & Skincare chat! Spinoff from last week...

I haven't noticed a difference in my KP yet.. but it's only been a week so obviously it's going to take a little more time. How long before it made a difference for you, Kristy? (or anyone else?)

So a lot people asked about skincare products from Paula's Choice.

I have to say that the ONLY thing that stopped my breaking out (and also has the added benefit of keeping my skin looking young) is to use an exfoliant.

Read up on the site about alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) or beta hydroxy acid (BHA)

Using a cream or liquid (like a toner) keeps the gunk out of your pores and is always revealing your best skin. Honest to goodness I used to break out SO BAD. I really thought I could just wash my face with something good and leave it at that. every zit cream in the world, nothing worked. Exfoliating with a BHA is the ONLY thing that saved my skin!

AHA tends to be better for those that are concerned with sun damage or fine lines. BHA really gets into the pores to clear them out if you are prone to breakouts.

I wash my face with a natural black soap bar (from eBay or Amazon), use Paula's Choice skin balancing toner (AWEsOME) and then a BHA liquid since my main concern is breaking out. Sometimes I swap the BHA for AHA in the morning.

If you ever try these products, start with the lowest concentration and work your way up to the strongest so your skin gets used to it.

Also, Never start exfoliating or a new regime right before your wedding or big event as you WILL breakout. Especially with a BHA.. its kind of amazing because you are SEEING just how much crap it is purging from your pores.

Honestly....Best skin of my life since I started using this stuff a few years ago and my friend use it too. Sunscreen is a MUST if you exfoliate since you are continuously revealing new skin.

Definitely worth looking into adding an AHA or BHA to your routine if you are worried about fine lines, breakouts or both!! there is a TON of info on the Paula's Choice site to decide if you want to. When i started using it regularly I couldnt believe how soft my skin felt and how clear it became. I also have NO fine lines and I am turning 34 in a few months.... I LOVE THIS STUFF!!!

After the KP chat last week, I feel like I had to share with you WW girls!

@lauren I don't have KP

I think it started working right away for Jersey Jen. Hopefully for you too! Does it say on the product info how long it should take?

I've been using the 10% AHA exfoliant for probably 5 days. It looks a little better, there's still bumps and redness. I've been using it twice a day. I really wanted to try the 2% bha but it says it's not in stock. I really want to buy a bunch of samples but my 20% "first time" is activated and don't want to waste that on a $1 sample

@Rachel You can order over the phone... that should bypass the discount?

Are you wanting to try the BHA body lotion? Its not right on the front page, but when I was reading the product info it said it can work for KP as well.

@FutureMrsF what do you use? I've been in love since someone first mentioned the stuff almost 8 years ago!

I ordered the pore reduction cleanser, toner and the exfoliant and started using it on Saturday and so far so good. I actually like the feel of my skin and do see a reduction in pore size so I am happy with it. I also usually get red from all products and this one is very gentle and doesn't leave me red.

I use the three and then add the Boots No. 7 perfect and protect Serum and the Boots no. 7 moisturizer. This will be my daily routine from now through wedding. Thanks for the referral to the Paula's Choice products. :-)

@kristy I saw better reviews for the exfoliant than the lotion but what do you recommend? Currently I use 4 different products on my face every day:

1. Clean and clear morning Burst wash

2. Aveeno clear complexion daily moisturizer

And at night

3. Neutrogena grapefruit facial cleanser

4. Clean and clear advantage acne control moisturizer.

I've been using this regime for about 4 years with no issues. This past year however I've noticed more acne on my face and am looking for something new.

@Rachel right now it's tell me i can get 3 samples for free with my order. See if you can purchase something and get it as a free ample.

@wine'osursus yeah I can get 3 free per order but I had like 10 I wanted and it was taking off my one time 20% for one sample. I think I'm just going to get the full size of resist 2% bha exfoliant and either the gel or lotion for my face

Zero difference in KP, but I figure it will take a good two weeks of use to see a difference (usually does for me). Lotion will calm it down for an hour after application, but a true difference takes a couple weeks for me.

HINT HINT if you use the code PRBHA16 for free shipping, you can order each item separately to get 3 free samples each time. A little bit of a cheat on the system lol

@Rachel Wanting to get on the same page .. Lol

Anything with BHA IS an exfoliant. It comes in liquid, gel, or lotion form. There's a version of it thats a lotion for body as well. Same for AHA.

Are you looking to exfoliate body or face?

@kristy sorry haha okay let me try again

For my face: Yes I really want to try the skin perfecting 2% BHA exfoliant since I'm already using a lot of salicylic acid on my face daily. I read the liquid is drying, and the lotion is too heavy. When I got the skin perfecting 2% bha gel exofoliant as a sample in my first order, my face felt dry at first but in an hour it was pretty soft. I liked it but was wondering if you would recommend the gel or lotion for face.

For my KP: I am currently using the 10% AHA resistant exfoliant lotion. Haven't noticed anything huge and read online that the 2% BHA resistant exfoliant lotion works better for KP so I want to try that.

So what I'm thinking is I buy the 2% BHA resistant exfoliant lotion for my KP in a full size and for my samples get both the skin perfecting 2% BHA exfoliant lotion AND gel and see which one I like more.

Kristy I ordered mine the day you posted the $10 off code! 2% BHA liquid. My FH said Paula's Choice sounds like a bad Lifetime movie lol. But, my face feels crazy soft already and looks a little glowier too! A mark from an old giant zit is fading way faster. I am just using it in the morning as I use a prescription retinol at night. I may order more after I get paid on Friday! I'm intrigued by the sunscreen face lotion- my old dermatologist said physical (zinc) sunscreen was way better than chemical sunscreen

I used to work for a pharmaceutical skin care company and everything @Kristy said is great advice! My skin care routine is slightly different and I don't use Paula's Choice, I use VivierSkin, but the advise remains amazing.

A couple things I'd add though...

Sunscreen is actually the #1 anti-aging product so you should use it everyday whether or not you're using an exfoliant or an AHA/BHA product.

There are 2 types of exfoliants: chemical and physical. Physical exfoliants are 'scrubs' that slough off the first layer out your skin. Chemical exfoliants do help to 'purge' your skin like @Kristy said so definitely never change your skin care routine in the couple months before your wedding.

There are many products that contain both AHA and BHA, so consider one that has both ingredients.

I personally LOVE using a Vitamin C serum, but if you do, make sure it's still clear to almost-clear when you buy it. Otherwise, return it because it's already oxidized. Vitamin C is an antioxidant and you don't want to put a product that's already oxidized onto your skin.

I just bought the whole redness calming kit!

I'm desperate to get my face to be an even tone again. I bought the KP cream and the face exfoliant last time and I really like the exfoliant but it's not helping with the redness yet.

I will update with my redness kit

@CO Bride physical sunscreens are better for those with acne. They are thicker and feel heavier when you apply them though, so if you don't like the feeling, choose a chemical sunscreen instead of applying nothing. A lot of the sunscreens specifically meant for the face aren't as greasy and don't have that horrid sunscreen smell.

Rachel - sounds like a plan! If the AHA body lotion is not working for you, contact their customer service, they may swap for BHA for you. They're AWESOME like that.

As for liquid, gel, or lotion for face.... its just preference. They will all do the same thing. I really like the liquid version and I apply it with cotton like a toner. A little goes a long way. I didnt really like the gel as sometimes I found it would get sticky and start to "roll" once I put moisturiser on top. Its been a while since I tried the BHA lotion for face. i stick to liquid

@Ashely I didnt mention "chemical" exfoliant because people tend to hate the word Chemical hahah. But, water is technically a chemical so you know....

I vote chemical exfoliation over physical exfoliation any day!

Just ordered my first physical sunscreen.. glad to hear its better for acne prone skin!!

@Bville I hope you used your husband's email or a different account to save $10 again