My Thoughts on Paula’s Choice Beauty and Skincare Products

A complete review and full thoughts on the Paula’s Choice Skin Care and Cosmetics line of products. A full morning and night routine.

I remember reading “Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me” by Paula Begoun when I was a young teen. I was so excited that someone was actually dishing the dirt on cosmetics and skincare. Reading all the paid fluff in magazines gets old so fast. I was impressed that someone was actually sharing which products work and WHY they work. Paula went into ingredients and why they were useful or harmful in each (of thousands) of name brand products. Now Paula has a very active website with similar, updated information that also shows which products are cruelty free (see her BeautyPedia reviews). And of course, she has her own brand of skincare and cosmetics, created from her years of industry and ingredient knowledge, called Paula’s Choice.

Recently Pretty in My Pocket teamed up with Paula’s Choice to share some of her products with bloggers. I was happy to try them out, knowing that all Paula’s Choice products are cruelty free. I started with a call to a member of Paula’s team who went over my skincare concerns with me, and helped me pick out products that are right for me. I’m allergic to Vitamin C for example, so I avoided many of the anti-aging products that contain that ingredient. Too bad – because Vitamin C can be such a skin-saving ingredient for most people!

Here’s the skincare routine Paula and her team recommended for me:

MORNING:

1.       Cleanse: CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser – a great cleanser for normal to oily skin. It contains no drying ingredients, but helps to prevent acne, blackheads and the appearance of large pores. The gel formula is color and fragrance-free. I was honestly a little surprised to see triclosan as an ingredient since there is a lot of talk about this anti-bacterial agent not being safe for regular use. This is what Paula’s Choice had to say, “Paula and her team decided to include triclosan in our Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser due to its potential to begin the process of killing acne-causing bacteria. Recent research indicates that triclosan may play a stronger role than originally thought when it comes to anti-acne skincare. We have used triclosan in an amount that is effective as a first line of defense against acne-causing bacteria; however, benzoyl peroxide (the active ingredient in our leave-on Clear Acne Fighting Treatments) is the antibacterial powerhouse when acne is the concern.”

2.       Tone: Hydralight Healthy Skin Refreshing Toner – this light toner helps keep acne at bay while calming skin, and avoiding dryness. Its 100% irritant-free formula leaves a nearly imperceptible finish that’s especially beneficial for combination or oily skin. It contains green tea, grape seed extract, willow herb, allantoin and Sodium PCA.

3.       Exfoliate: Clear Regular Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution With 2% Salicylic Acid – this light exfoliator contains 2% salicylic acid along with light moisturizers to prevent dryness while keeping acne at bay. This product is 100% fragrance- and colorant-free with an effective pH range of 3.5-3.9.

4.       Spot-Treat: Clear Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide – this 2.5% benzoyl peroxide formula works great as a daytime spot treatment. It contains soothing anti-irritants to help skin heal and reduce red marks caused by blemishes. Its super-light lotion texture sets to a matte finish, and can be worn under makeup.

5.       Moisturize/Protect: Hydralight Shine-Free Mineral Complex SPF 30 – while Vitamin D is important, it’s also important to protect your facial skin and any place where you are using exfoliating agents from the sun (for me – this would be on my face, decollete and arms). This sunscreen is ideal for those with normal to oily or combination skin, who want light hydration with a soft matte finish and gentle, but effective, broad-spectrum sun protection. It’s also great for those with oily yet sensitive skin and those struggling with rosacea or reactive skin.

6.      Remove Bumps (for use night and day): Clinical KP Treatment Cloths (convenient wipes that combine 8% lactic acid and 2% salicylic acid to reduce and potentially eliminate bumps and breakouts) and Resist Weightless Body Treatment with 2% BHA (2% salicylic acid helps keep razor bumps, keratosis pilaris and other spots away!).

NIGHT:

1.       Cleanse: CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser

2.       Tone: Hydralight Healthy Skin Refreshing Toner

3.       Exfoliate: Clear Regular Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution With 2% Salicylic Acid

4.       Spot-Treat: RESIST BHA 9 Treatment – this is a very potent nighttime spot treatment for acne, keratosis pilaris, fine lines, enlarged pores, blackheads or old acne marks. The technology behind BHA 9 is unique, allowing for a controlled, sustained release of salicylic acid (9%!) without diminishing any of its effectiveness. In fact, you will have enhanced results without dryness or irritation! BHA 9 for Stubborn Imperfections has a pH range of 3.2-3.6. It feels almost like an oil going on – very thick and not drying at all – but trust me – it works!

5.       Moisturize/Protect: Earth Sourced Antioxidant Enriched Natural Moisturizer – great for all skin types. It is specially formulated for those who prefer skincare products made from natural ingredients that are proven safe and effective. You can use this natural moisturizer morning or night. This is from Paula’s natural line, so you’ll find ingredients that you might find in your pantry – such as: olive oil, canola oil, cacao seed butter, vegetable glycerin, grape seed oil, shea butter, borage seed oil, acerola fruit extract, aloe, cranberry seed extract, evening primrose oil, bilberry extract and raspberry seed extract.

Paula’s Choice also sent me the new limited edition Nude Mattes Eyeshadow Palette and their Soft Cream Concealer in Soft Ivory. The eyeshadow palette is part of the natural, bare-faced makeup trend that is so popular these days. It features 12 flattering shades designed to highlight your best features. It includes a soft shimmer shade to add shine to any of the matte colors if you want to get a little fancy! It was actually designed in collaboration with popular YouTube makeup artist Wayne Goss! I found the colors to be highly pigmented, and perfect for a natural or smoky look, depending on your taste. The cream concealer is perfect for undereye circles – it conceals while filling in small lines. Even though it’s creamy, it’s still great for covering blemishes. If you’re like me and tend to break out, think about all those products you need to use to exfoliate and kill bacteria. They can be a bit drying to the skin. If you get a little flaky while treating, the concealer will cover that right up!

Have you tried any Paula’s Choice products or cosmetics? Which ones do you like? You can get 20% Off Any One Item + Free Shipping by clicking here! Or enter the code PRIMP20. (One time use only. Discount applied at checkout on the highest value item in cart. Cannot be combined with other offers or applied to prior purchases. Free shipping applies to U.S. and Canada only.) Before you go, be sure to check out a few of my favorite cruelty free things.