7 replies to this topic

[spoofy2]

I actually just have a pretty simple question. I just got my Paula's Choice 2% BHA bottle and I was wondering...how often are you supposed to put it on? The directions do not tell me to just tells me how to put it on. I have sensitive skin so should I try putting it on every other day? In the mornings once a day or only at night?

[JennaBabe]

I actually just have a pretty simple question. I just got my Paula's Choice 2% BHA bottle and I was wondering...how often are you supposed to put it on? The directions do not tell me to just tells me how to put it on. I have sensitive skin so should I try putting it on every other day? In the mornings once a day or only at night?

I use the 2% gel, and only apply it in the morning. When I first started, I started out using it once every other day, until my skin got used to it, then I started using it once every day, and then bumped it up to twice a day. After a while, I added other products into my regimen, and dropped this back down to just once a day. It did take my skin about 2 weeks to get used to it and not become irritated after applying it anymore. At first, my skin would be really red, and almost look somewhat swollen, and would peel a little. After about 2 weeks, this was better though.

[sadgeorgy]

I use the lotion once daily just before going to bed. Probably a bad idea, since some of it gets wiped off on the pillow. I like the lotion though, feels nice.

[Bakesalee]

For those of you who use it, can you please tell us if it removes your clogged pores and blackheads?

[Bakesalee]

And also tell us how you chose what you did. I mean for their cleansers there's two or three options only seperated by name: One Step Cleanse or Skin Soothing Cleanser. And this goes on and on for each individual product.

[JennaBabe]

I think it does a really good job of removing blackheads, or at least loosening them up so I can remove them. My nose used to be completely covered with blackheads, and now I think there must be less than 5. But this didn't happen overnight. It did take me quite some time to see results. I've been using it for about 3 months, and didn't really start seeing results with the blackheads until after about 2 months I think. I did start seeing a difference in the number of breakouts I had after 3 or 4 weeks, but the blackheads took a little longer.

The only thing I don't like about the gel is that it tends to be very sticky on my face, unless you use a very, very small amount, and then it feels like I'm not using enough. I think when I run out, I might try the liquid next. I tried the gel first because some people have said that the liquid is a little more drying, and I was nervous about trying the lotion, because lotion-based products often make my skin look and feel greasy, and I just figured that if the formula I use is too drying, I can use my own lotion, which I know doesn't make my face look greasy.

[Bakesalee]

Hey Jenna, thanks for your quick response. You stated that when you first used it you got a little flakey. Do you know what the best response to this is? I mean, I figure if you just apply moisturizer on top of the peeling/flaking you're just leaving dead skin cells on your face which will in turn cause more blackheads. Am I wrong? Do you gently peel away what you can safely then moisturize or just moisturize on top of all the dead skin?

[JennaBabe]

When I first started the SA, my main problem was the redness, and a slight stinging/burning feeling, so I did use moisturizer mixed with my aloe gel to soothe my skin. I don't normally like to use moisturizer if I'm peeling, because I feel like I'm just gluing the flakes back down onto my skin and causing more clogged pores, like you said, but my skin was very irritated when I first started using this, so I had to do something. After a while, the redness, stinging, and peeling went away, so now I just use my regular regimen of aloe during the day and moisturizer at night if needed. I also forgot to write this in my regimen, but I use the St. Ives Apricot Scrub for Sensitive Skin 2-3 times per week to manually exfoliate my skin and help get rid of flakes.

I think there are 2 types of peeling- peeling from dry, irritated skin, and peeling from the chemical exfoliation. My peeling from the SA seemed to be the first type, because my skin was very irritated at first. I think it's ok to moisturize peeling skin if it's peeling because it's dry (just make sure you manually exfoliate too, so you don't get clogged pores). If it's peeling purely because of exfoliation- as is the case with the Mandelic Acid I use- then I don't like to moisturize, because it's not dry or irritated- it's just doing what it's supposed to do.

Hope that helps!!