Lisa S

Just wondering if anyone has used the Paula's choice range and how effective it was. I have very dry and prematurely aging skin and am looking for a skin care range that can reverse a little of the damage.

Goatie

I haven't used this range. But welcome to SCT

Phoenix Rising

Haven't tried a lot from her line, but here are my thoughts on PC products. It seems like her line is really geared towards either aging, or acne prone skin. Nothing really for those in the middle of the road. That being said, she does have some fantastic and some not so fantastic products.

I wasn't too impressed with her BHA liquid. Its in an olier base (which I realize its needed because its a lipid soluble acid), but I didn't like the feel of it. Too oily for my skin.

On the flip side, I loved her One Step toner. It felt so nice, and I found it very calming on my skin after I shaved. Its great for burns too (LOL....I burned my forarm one night on the oven, so I tried a bit of the PC toner, and it took the pain away almost immediately, and the inflammation went down considerably after a couple of hours)!

I've tried a sample of one of her cleansers, but I don't think it was right for my skin type. I'd definately try one of her cleansers again, as I hear they're excellent. I've also heard excellent things about her antioxidant serums, which are also on my wishlist (one day, dear bank account, one day...).

And at the end of the day, her products are very reasonably priced too. Especially when you take a look at some of the ingredients she uses.

Paula is one cool lady too! I just love watching her on TV!

skncur

This is my first post...I hope it doesn't make it look like I work for Paula (although I wish I did!)

I've found a few PC products that I really love, and a few that didn't work so well for me.

Likes:

Like the poster above me, I found the BHA liquid a bit sticky...but her Targeted Acne Relief Toner (not the Extra Strength) is like water...it's fabulous. I also love her new Resist moisturizer...great texture, great ingredients, non-irritating. I also quite like her shaving gel, and the toners that I've tested were all excellent.

Dislikes (rather, indifferent to):

Her cleansers are all great, but because I live in Canada, it's easier for me to just use SpectroJel (or Cetaphil), which are cheaper. I like the benefits of her antioxidant serums, but the texture is very thick and heavy on the silicone...I'm using up what I have, but not sure if I'd repurchase.

kittychan

Thanks for sharing!

dorkalicious

I am interested in Paula's Choice too. I have a couple products coming in the mail but can't remember which ones. Antioxidant lotions with SPF? I like the price point but haven't tried her stuff yet.

I am interested in her AHA 8% lotion, has anyone used it? Is there a better one?

KK

skncur

Do you mean the 8% AHA gel? I'm not a huge fan of it...unless you only plan to use it before bed, I found that it left an obvious film over my skin. She also makes a 10% body lotion which can be used on the face...I haven't tried that one.

Cafe au lait

Hi Everyone,

This is my very first post!

I have a few of PC products on the way, I currently use the Alpha Hydrox line but I've been researching and it seems that BHAs are better for oily/combo skin like mine than AHAs.

Looking forward to chatting w/ all of you!

lydiahawk

My first post! I am 49 and have dry-ish skin, with some fine lines. My skin tends to be pasty and dull. I really like several PC products and find that they help give me back that old glow. I also use 0.025% tretinoin (Retin-A) and am getting ready to move up to 0.05%. I use this in conjuction with the moisturizer and anti-oxidant and am happy with how my skin looks and feels right now.

Skin recovery moisturizer (blue lettering on tube)
Super anti-oxidant concentrate
Teeth whitener (it's really cool - sort of a crayon you color on your teeth - it only takes 2 minutes and I swear it works!)
Cover all bases foundation - a very sheer foundation with good slip. You have to learn how to use it, but someone who wants very natural coverage and just some evening out of skin tone, it's great. It also imparts a soft glow.
My 18 year old daughter with normal skin loves the regular moisturizer (purple lettering on tube)

I don't care for the brow groomer or the mascara (lancome much better), but by and large I have liked PC's products!

Alexa

I use the Paula's Choice Targeted Toner (2% BHA) regular strength from the Clear line for acne and love it. It's like water and soaks right in. I also use the Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant concentrate and love that, too. It has .2% retinol and is a serum. The Skin lightening Gel has also worked well for me on a spot-I like it because it stays put-- I don't wear it under makeup, though,so I can't say how it would react. They have very good customer service too, from emails to on-line" chats" if you need to ask a question right away.

Sparklie

I have used PC products and quite like them.

My skin is on the dry side and I've used nearly everything from the Skin Recovery line and my skin was happy. I decided I liked the One Step Cleanser better that the Skin Recovery cleanser --- then changed my mind over the winter. I think I like the One Step better in summer and the Skin Recovery one better in winter.

I LOVE the Skin Recovery Hydrating Mask, and I treat it like a moistuzier in winter. Summer, I like Moisture Boost Hydrating Cream. I also like the Super Antioxidant, although it feels initially like there's too much silicon in it. Then the serum sinks into the skin and it's fine.

Haven't tried the makeup line --- I never use face makeup.

lydiahawk

Sparklie, I too have used the Skin Recovery Hydrating Mask and love it. I used it especially when I was starting Retin-A and my skin was sore and red. It was very soothing and helped me get over the hump.

PC products seem very soothing and soothing. As a matter of fact, I can't really use any other lines now as I find them irritating.

lydiahawk

Regarding customer service, I was once slightly upset because PC didn't answer my question about parabens in their products. I sent an e-mail stating that I was displeased that customer service hadn't responded. Paula herself replied and said that this was unacceptable and offered my any products I wanted for free! This made a very positive impression on me.

princessgretchen

I used Paula's Choice Super Antioxidant serum for 6 years. I liked it, it decreased the redness tones in my skin. One day I decided not to reorder it, can't remember why. I'm thinking about buying the new Resist serum.... although admittedly, not impressed with the selling points on the line.

MN Girl

I have rosacea and I have been using the Skin Recovery line for a few years now and have really liked it. I especially like the Skin Recovery Super Antioxident Concentrate.

Alexa

Paula's Choice had some promotion recently where if you order a catalog from them they would send you a catalog, samples of most of their products, and a $5 gift card. You might call customer service and ask if they are still doing that. That's been my best freebie from them.
It's worth a phone call... and there was no cost for the catalog!

magic

I am using her products for almost two years. I love the new resist moisturizer. It is the best moisturizer. And the new toner for acne is good. I am from hong kong so I don't think paula's choice's makeup are nice on asian. The color are ashy. And about the sunscreens, I don't think it is good enough and she don't have bigger SPF protection for face. I highly prefer to use the acne toner than the lotion or gel type. I used all of them before and found it cause my skin very dry. I tried all cleanser from paula and I don't feel they can remove sunscreen or makeup well. You always need to use a cloth to help. And the old packing of body butter is very difficult to apply because of it's solid texture. Now they changed the packing to a cream one. I guess it is better.

dorkalicious

It took 2 weeks for the AHA gel to arrive and it has PARABENS. I didn't look at the ingredient list, just the reviews of the product. Bummer, it will have to go back.

betty1970

Hi
I live in the UK and suffered acne for years.

I've been using Paula's Choice for about a year and a half now and I am just so grateful to have found her products available in Europe. I noticed today that they have now opened a specific UK site which sells in £ and not € which is great since the exchange rate is rubbish for € right now.

The BHA 2% liquid has been an amazing product (I started on the 1% lotion). It was so hard to find anything on the UK domestic market that gave you the salicylic % that was recommended as most beneficial.

The Paula's Choice website info about acne and BHA vs AHA exfolliants was a big lightbulb moment. The videos are a fantastic source of no b**l. I love that she debunks the myths because so many times I have been tempted to buy into 'miracle' treatments.

Knowing about the need for exfoliation with acne skin I had a series of AHA peels in the past. It made my skin SO bad I wept at having wasted £250 on 6 treatments that made me look worse than at the start. There is so little in the UK that is BHA - and no therapists seem to know about the differences. So it was great relief to understand why the AHA peel had not worked.

The gist of my email is - Paula's Choice BHA 2% liquid has made a (and I'm not kidding when I say this) life changing difference to my skin and face and outlook on the world. I was plagued by 'ok days' and 'bag-on-head days' for years. The only thing that ever worked consistently was Minocyn MR antibiotics - but you just can't be on those things forever.

Now I don't not worry about spots because I very rarely get them and if I do I just put an extra dab of BHA on them. I also use sunscreen scrupulously everyday as I now get how important that is for anti-aging (previously I didn't use it because: 'sun is good for skin - right?' -oh dear!!).

I wish Paula's choice info and products had been available in the UK years ago and I might have been able to spend just a little bit more of my fast fading youth in a more confident way and not hiding from the embarrassing stares of (what I felt was) people looking at my never ending zits and breakout.

I also use Paula's Choice Skin balancing Cleanser and Moisture Boost Hydrating Toner plus her 45 SPF non-greasy face sunscreen. But I use Estee Lauder Moisturisers because one of my relatives works for them and I think getting top price creams at a huge discount is not to be ignored.

My one gripe about Paula's Choice is the price . If you were a student/young person (quite likely to be suffering from bad skin) the products would probably have to be strictly Xmas or birthday wish list. £18.75 for 1 product is very steep and you always need to add postage (which in the past has ran from £9.95-£6.95). Having said that – I know it works for me so I pay up because a breakout is just not worth it.

I will be scooting around this site to pick up hints and tips on products that are consistently listed as good. My new issue is anti-aging (it never stops does it!).

Paula’s Choice is definitely worth a go.

Best of luck with your skin search

meg

Hi KatieKins. I use her 8% AHA lotion - (its actually a gel) and I really like it. It is a nice exfoliant. Its not too strong - gentle enough to be used everyday but I dont now that I am on Retin A. I now only use it occasionally when I get flakey from the Retin A on my chin to help get rid of the flakes quicker and it really works. I have used other AHA creams etc and I like hers the best. Hope that helps.