Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant.

"This is probably the most iconic leave-on salicylic acid product out there, and honestly the reputation is earned. I reach for this most often for stubborn blackheads, congestion, oily to combination skin types. I would not really use this on [...] really dry skin. The 2% salicylic acid here is the maximum concentration allowed for over-the-counter use, and the leave-on format means it has time to penetrate the pore and do its job, unlike a cleanser you're rinsing off after 30 seconds. It also contains green tea extract for antioxidant support and methyl propanediol as a penetration enhancer to help the salicylic acid absorb more effectively. If you've been struggling with persistent texture and blackheads that aren't budging, I would start with this product."

"My favorite ingredient is salicylic acid because it clears out the pores, removes debris, and prevents buildup. It's way better than other acids, like alpha hydroxy acid, because it penetrates oil and penetrates your pores more readily. The key is not to overdo it, because when you do, you're not going to clear out your pores faster, you're only going to irritate your skin, so pick a product, use it consistently, and be patient because the process takes time. One of my favorites is the Paula's Choice 2% BHA liquid exfoliant, applied where you're bothered by it a few times a week."

"If you are someone who's wanting a really strong salicylic acid formula to use a few times a week, the Paula's Choice 2% BHA liquid exfoliant is a tried and true classic that's so good at really going deep in your pores and getting all the gunk out. There's a reason why it's so popular. It works really well for clearing out the pores, albeit that you should only use it a couple times per week because it can really dry out the skin, but still very effective."

"It gets into each pore to minimize sebum production. So that's excellent. The only thing I'd say to you, which differs from the website, is wear this only at night time for skin of color. I would never want you to exfoliate and then go out into the sun where you have a barrage of free radicals on the skin thank you to the UV which is not good for our skin. But I absolutely love this product and I would buy this product if this was my main concern which is oily skin."

"This has been the gold standard BHA for a long time. The active is salicylic acid, the most researched form of BHA with decades of clinical backing, and it's oil soluble so it gets down into your pores, dissolves buildup, and clears congestion from the inside out. It's formulated at 2%, the maximum dosage allowed in over the counter products in the US, at an optimal pH so the salicylic acid is actually active and doing the job. I use it all the time, my skin loves it, and every time I have makeup on it's a non-negotiable in my nighttime skincare routine. It also has green tea extract for antioxidant support and soothing, plus it hydrates the skin while it exfoliates, which some formulations miss, and an ingredient that helps the exfoliant absorb deeper into the skin. It's a straightforward, effective formulation and the label backs up everything they claim. This one is for you if your skin can handle acids well, you've been exfoliating for a while, you have oily or really congested acne prone skin with consistent blackheads, and your skin barrier is in good shape and not reactive. If your skin got red, irritated, or angry using it, that's not a sign BHA doesn't work for you, it just means 2% salicylic acid at a low pH might be more than your skin barrier can handle right now. And if you're allergic to aspirin, don't use products with salicylic acid, since it shares the same chemical composition and some of the same properties as aspirin."

"This is a 2% BHA liquid exfoliant. Great for acne. But again, when we're treating acne, we're treating aging. I know it's weird, but that's what it does. Why? Because it's a good kind of stress. [...] Anything that is irritating your body that is causing a biological response, whether it's a chemical peel, whether it's a [...] retinoid, whether it's micro needling, it's causing a chemical response in your body that is making it better. And [...] it's affordable. This one is not expensive."

"The Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant was one of the industry's first leave-on exfoliants and it was seen as a game changer all over the world. With salicylic acid being known for its effectiveness at reducing blackheads, decongesting pores, and smoothing skin texture, so many beauty fans swearing by this product, it's no wonder that this became a global bestseller for the brand. This is without a doubt still the brand's most iconic product, probably the most popular and most viral, and the formula has barely changed since it was created nearly 25 years ago."

"Next up we have exfoliation. This is Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, the really famous one. I used this years ago, and I told you I stripped out tons of stuff in my routine and went back to basics, didn't really use much, not really any actives either, and I'm reintroducing actives because my skin was looking really congested. I have figured out the best way to use this. Cotton pad, I put a decent amount on, and what I don't do is swipe. I don't swipe anymore, I pat. I completely miss this area here, I used to do the opposite, I used to get my pad and dig in around my nose, and I don't need it, it made my skin so sensitive. I don't really go around my mouth either, I just stick to the areas that I know I need it, so the perimeters of my face for sure, I think just because they don't honestly get cleaned the best. I mean I try, but the days that I'm taking my makeup off and I'm not washing my hair, you obviously don't get in there as much as you should. Down my neck too, and when you do it down your neck you should use SPF on your neck. Pat, pat, pat, at the end I'll just do a really light swipe."

"First off is my Holy Grail, the Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant. This one is, in my experience, a little bit harsher than the Sunday Riley one, but [...] it's a workhorse. It gets the job done. This will clean out your pores. This is great for acne-prone oily skin. This is a toner, a true toner, so after washing your face you would put this on a cotton pad and apply it to your face, or sometimes I even just apply it to my hands and just smear it all over my face. You would do this on off nights from your retinoids. I usually reach for this one more in spring and summer."

"I've probably heard me rave about the Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid, and this is mostly I use it on my face. I use my fingers to apply it and I find that this just never runs out. Once I get to a low enough level and I feel like maybe it's a bit too dicey to use it on my face, I start using it on my body. [...] BHA is salicylic acid, it's a chemical exfoliant. [...] I've also mostly been using salicylic acid over alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic acid or lactic acid because it is summer here and alpha hydroxy acids have been found to make your skin more sensitive to the sun, and this happens even after you wash it off. It is a change to your actual skin. But salicylic acid in those same studies did not have this effect."