American skincare brand Paula’s Choice is well known for their science-backed, cruelty-free products which have repeatedly gone viral for actually doing what they’re meant to. The great news is that you can now test and buy these products at Sephora, so here’s a roundup of the best Paula’s Choice products you should get.
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Possibly the number 1 product that everyone talks about is the brand’s Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant. Why it’s so popular: this salicylic acid toner can be used daily without irritating your skin, and gently exfoliates while unclogging your pores ━ combatting blemishes and blackheads.
It also helps the rest of your skincare absorb better. The result: visibly reduced pores and glowing, smooth skin that makeup glides effortlessly on.
Get the Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant for $21 on Amazon.
Another exfoliant you could consider on the Paula’s Choice range is their Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant, which is an AHA, rather than BHA chemical exfoliant.
AHA, or alpha hydroxy acid, and BHA, beta hydroxy acid, are non-abrasive exfoliants that help you shed the dead skin cells so they don’t clog your skin; they also diminish lines and wrinkles, improve dull, uneven skin tones, and smooth bumpy skin.
Where they differ is that water-soluble AHAs work on the surface, and are better for dry, sun-damaged skin. BHAs on the other hand are oil-soluble so they work on the surface, as well as inside the pores━thus they’re recommended for normal to oily skin types.
P.S.: You can use both AHA and BHA exfoliants by alternating them daily.
Get the Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant for $59 at Sephora
For “derm-level results without a prescription”, Paula’s Choice recently released the Pro-Clinical Retinaldehyde Treatment, said to be the first-ever dual-retinoid treatment that stars retinaldehyde, AKA retinal. Retinal is one step closer to Vitamin A than retinol, making it more effective. Adapinoid is the other retinoid in the duo, and they both work together to reduce wrinkles, smoothen, and brighten skin.
Get the Pro-Clinical Retinaldehyde Treatment for $98 at Sephora.
If you’re looking for anti-ageing treatments, but are new to the retinol game, give the Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment a shot. This low-intensity retinol formula, with its added peptides, helps improve skin tone and texture, restore firmness, and fade brown spots.
But what’s bakuchiol? It’s a plant-derived antioxidant that’s widely touted as a natural alternative to retinol, especially if your skin is easily irritated.
However, using them together makes for even better results since bakuchiol actually stabilises retinol, and helps make it more effective. Plus, bakuchiol has soothing properties that can help your skin tolerate retinol better ━ which is why this treatment is a powerhouse.
Get the Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment for $98 on Amazon.
Niacinamide is the key to minimising enlarged pores, among other benefits such as improving uneven skin tone and brightening dull skin. The Clinical 20% Niacinamide Treatment is a super concentrated treatment that’s best for those of you who have extra-large pores and oil-related bumps. This formula also contains Vitamin C, which is a perfect complement to niacinamide for extra radiant and smooth skin.
If you don’t need that intense a treatment, consider the 10% Niacinamide Booster ($75) instead.
Get the Clinical 20% Niacinamide Treatment for $82 on Amazon.
6 different collagen peptides go into the Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster, working in layers to firm, plump and reduce wrinkles. In fact, the most immediate effects can be seen in just 15 minutes, with long-term results kicking in after 4 weeks of use. Use this after cleansing, toning, and exfoliating, with your favourite serum or by itself.
Get the Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster for $88 on Amazon.
With 4.5 stars and more than 500 reviews on Sephora, the C5 Super Boost Moisturizer is currently sold out, and for good reason. There’s 5% Vitamin C, which returns the glow to dull skin and fights free-radical damage, as well as peptides and lipids that increase your skin’s barrier, improve suppleness, and lock in hydration.
Get the C5 Super Boost Moisturizer for $69 on Amazon.
It’s imperative to use sunscreen on a daily basis, and even more so when you’ve used the exfoliants and treatments we’ve listed above. One to consider for Singapore’s sticky, humid weather is the Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 from Paula’s Choice, best suited for those with oily/combo skin.
This sunscreen is lightly tinted, moisturising, and has anti-ageing properties thanks to a blend of antioxidants in its formula, while absorbing excess sebum and leaving a soft matte finish.
Get the Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 for $56.99 on Amazon.
The Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser can be used not only on your face, but on your body too, for those of you who suffer from bacne. This non-irritating formula is gentle enough that it won’t cause your skin to dry out and flake, yet contains salicylic acid in a silky gel formula that’ll get rid of the sebum that’s clogging your pores.
Get the Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser for $32 on Amazon.
If you’ve got rough and bumpy, or dry skin on your arms, you have to cart out Paula’s Choice Skin Revealing Body Lotion 10% AHA. It’s a leave-on exfoliant for your body with 10% glycolic acid ━ an AHA that will help you shed the dead skin and even out any bumps. Plus, it’s got green tea extract to soothe the skin barrier, and shea butter to moisturise.
For something with salicylic acid, try the Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA ($49).
Get the Skin Revealing Body Lotion 10% AHA for $49 on Amazon.
Better skin can be yours with this roundup of Paula’s Choice products that you can add to your skincare arsenal. They’re bestsellers for good reason, and 100% science-backed, so you know they’re not out to funk about.
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