Paula's Choice : Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel

I have had blackheads on my nose ever since I can remember. In fact, I remember one time, a boyfriend told me I should get those blackhead strips for my nose. That was super devastating really - here i thought I was the only one who was aware of them. I guess not. Ever since then, I pulled them out as fast as they came in, but then I noticed that my pores seemed to get bigger and bigger. And they just never stopped forming. So I tried everything I could find with the word "blackhead" on it. None of the drug store stuff ever worked, then I went bigger (read more expensive). Tried proactive, tried R&F, tried curology. Check check check check check check. This one was recommended to me by my dermatologist, kind of in passing. Actually she gave me 2 names to try, Paula's Choice and Ninja Skincare. Ninja sounded too… boyish, I guess? So I went with Paulas Choice. Just sounded nicer. IDK. But long story short, it did nothing. Like nothing. I still kept pulling my blackheads out, they kept coming back and my pores were still huge. Onto my derms next recommendation - Ninja Skincare. I had my doubts but I ordered their salicylic acid 1, not sure what the "1" meant, but it was what they recommended to me when I called them. I was told to use it every night before bed and then to check in after 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, I did as they asked and called. They told me to start using 2 layers at night and then in a couple of weeks maybe add it into the daytime routine. You would not believe the difference in my skin after 4 weeks of use. No more blackheads forming in my nose or anywhere else. And for the first time in 15 years, I can not even pull a single blackhead out of my nose even if I wanted to. There just are none! My pores are still there but I looked at the before and after pictures and they are definitely getting smaller, prob cause none are even forming any more. Still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I found a product that actually works, that does what it says it will do. I told my dermatologist about it and she said she was not surprised, that she had only heard good things about them. I am just happy she recommended me a topical product that worked and not some prescription like they normally do! But when it comes to Paulas Choice, I would say to pass on by - for the money, the results just aren't there.

Used for the following: Blackheads Scars Large pores Clogged pores Redness Saw no improvements in my skin whatsoever after a month of consistent use. I even made sure to wait at least 30 minutes after cleansing before applying the gel and another 30 minutes before moisturizing. Very, very disappointed!