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Paula's Choice SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant | Gentle Salicylic Acid Facial Exfoliator for Blackheads, Enlarged Pores, Wrinkles & Fine Lines

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Availability: In Stock.
Fulfilled by Amazon

Arrives Saturday, Aug 15
Order within 15 hours and 49 minutes
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Size: 1 Fl Oz


Features

  • GENTLE NON-ABRASIVE LEAVE-ON EXFOLIANT: With 2% BHA (Beta hydroxy acid), to unclog & diminish enlarged pores, exfoliate dead skin cells, smooth wrinkles, and brighten and even out skin tone. Combats redness, wrinkles, aging, enlarged pores, and blackheads.
  • LIQUID FACE EXFOLIANT: Dramatically improves skin's texture for radiant youthful even-toned skin. Beta hydroxy acid (BHA, also known as salicylic acid) mimics the natural exfoliation process of younger skin by helping it shed extra layers while unclogging and clearing pores.
  • HYDRATE, BRIGHTEN & SMOOTH FINE LINES: Our unique, non-abrasive, leave-on face exfoliant is gentle enough for daily use on all skin types. Exfoliates dead skin cells while clearing pores for a more even tone, plus it visibly reduces fine lines & wrinkles.
  • EXFOLIANTS FOR FACE: Paula's Choice facial exfoliants are gentler on delicate skin of the face & neck than an abrasive face scrub, which can cause micro-tears. A BHA leave-on exfoliator delivers hydration & can exfoliate directly inside the pore & improve how the pore works.
  • Paula's Choice Skincare makes products that work. No fragrance, no fluff. Just effective, science-backed formulas that target any concern from wrinkles to breakouts.

Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 2.52 x 0.75 x 0.75 inches; 1.52 ounces


Item model number ‏ : ‎ 22016


UPC ‏ :


Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Paula's Choice


Best Sellers Rank: #39 in Beauty & Personal Care (See Top 100 in Beauty & Personal Care) #1 in Facial Polishes


#1 in Facial Polishes:


Customer Reviews: 4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars (115,835)


Item Form: Liquid


Skin Type: Combination, Dry, Normal, Oily


Product Benefits: Noticeably unclogs & clears pore congestion, combats blemishes, improves clarity, and smooths rough, bumpy texture.


Active Ingredients: Beta Hydroxy Acid, Salicylic Acid, salicylic_acid


Additional Features: Travel Size, Unscented


Scent Name: Unscented


Target Use Body Part: Face


Skin Exfoliant Type: Chemical


Skin Tone: All


Item Volume: 30 ml


Number of Items: 1


Item Weight: 43 g


Unit Count: 1 Fluid Ounces


Size: 1 Fl Oz


Brand Name: Paula's Choice


UPC: 655439020169 655439720168


Model Number: 22016


Manufacturer: Paula's Choice


Manufacturer Part Number: 22016


Material Features: Antioxidant, Cruelty Free, Fragrance Free


Material Type Free: Alcohol Free, Artificial Color Free, Dye Free, Oil Free, Silicone Free


Recommended Uses For Product: Exfoliating,Travel,Wrinkles


Frequently asked questions

If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Saturday, Aug 15

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To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.

View our full returns policy here.

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Top Amazon Reviews


  • soft and gentle on delicate faces
Size: 1 Fl Oz
I’ve been using this for a few weeks, and I can definitely see why so many people recommend it. It feels gentle on my skin, doesn’t leave it greasy or sticky, and my pores look much cleaner. I’ve also noticed my skin feels smoother and looks brighter.A little goes a long way, so the bottle lasts longer than I expected. If you’re looking for a simple exfoliant that actually works without irritating your skin, this one is worth trying. I’m really happy with it and would buy it again! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2026 by Sandra

  • The holy grail of exfoliation
Size: 4 Fl Oz
I’ve been using this Paula’s Choice exfoliant for a couple of months now, and it has completely changed the way my skin feels. I’ve tried a lot of facial exfoliants over the years, but this one stands out from everything else I’ve used. What I love most is that it’s both gentle and incredibly effective. It doesn’t leave my face feeling irritated or overly dry, yet I can actually feel it working. I use it once a week, and after each application my skin feels noticeably cleaner, smoother, and refreshed. It seems to clear out my pores better than anything else I’ve tried. The biggest sign that it’s working is that I know exactly when it’s time to use it again. If I go much longer than a week without it, my face starts to feel heavy and congested. After I use it, that feeling is completely gone, and my skin feels light, clean, and renewed. A little goes a long way, so the bottle lasts longer than I expected. I was fortunate enough to catch it on Prime Day and immediately ordered two more bottles so I wouldn’t run out. That’s something I rarely do with skincare products, but this one has earned a permanent place in my routine. If you’re looking for an exfoliant that’s effective without being harsh, I highly recommend giving this one a try. It has made a noticeable difference in the texture and overall feel of my skin, and it’s easily one of the best skincare products I’ve purchased. Five stars without hesitation. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2026 by Danica Tillman

  • Gentle Yet Effective for Brown, Sensitive Skin
Size: 5 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
I am brown skin with sensitive skin, and this has worked really well for me. Since my skin can be reactive, I don’t use it as a leave-on exfoliant. Instead, I apply it to a cotton pad, gently wipe it all over my face, leave it on for a couple of minutes, and then rinse it off. This routine has been much gentler on my skin while still giving me great results. I especially like using it around my nose, where I tend to get blackheads and clogged pores. After wiping the area, I often notice a residue on the cotton pad, which I assume is a combination of excess oil (sebum) and other surface buildup that has been lifted away. My nose feels noticeably smoother and cleaner afterward, and over time I’ve found it helps keep that area looking clearer. Even using it this way, I’ve noticed smoother skin overall and fewer small bumps without causing irritation. If you have sensitive skin, I’d recommend introducing it slowly and adjusting the frequency based on how your skin responds. I don’t use this every day, usually about once a week, or whenever I feel like my skin needs a deeper exfoliation. That’s been enough for me to keep my skin feeling smooth without overdoing it. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2026 by Amazon Customer

  • Noticeable improvement in pore size-would purchase again.
Size: 1 Fl Oz
Purchased smallest bottle . Works better than anticipated. Have had issues with nose and chin pore size and accompanying blackheads for decades. Previous products (tried many) overly dried my skin and did zero to shrink pores. Have used for one week and can see a noticeable difference, particularly on my nose. Smaller pores and smooth skin! Happy with usage results, though deducted one star for bottle top design. Semi-difficult to get product out of the container. Found that using a Q-tip and pressing directly against opening has given the best results. Will likely repurchase. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2026 by Jewels in Clarkston

  • A Game-Changer for Clogged Pores
Size: 1 Fl Oz
I’ve been using Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant consistently, and I’m really impressed with the results. Within a few weeks, I noticed fewer clogged pores, smoother skin texture, and a visible reduction in blackheads around my nose. It absorbs quickly, doesn’t feel sticky, and layers well with the rest of my skincare routine. The formula is gentle enough for regular use, though beginners may want to start a few times a week to avoid irritation. It’s fragrance-free, which is a big plus for sensitive skin. While it’s a bit pricey, a little goes a long way, so the bottle lasts a long time. Overall, it’s one of the few products that delivered noticeable results for clearer, smoother skin. I would definitely recommend it to anyone dealing with clogged pores, blackheads, or uneven skin texture. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2026 by SF

  • The best of the Best
Size: 4 Fl Oz
Ive been using high end (shiseido, lancome, dior, estee lauder, ) my whole life. I am 42. This is the single best product I have ever used on my face. This is the ONLY product (and again, I have tried many expensive things in my time), that I have used at night, and within the first night of using, woke up with better skin. I have not had a blackhead since I started using this. It makes my skin look so smooth and nice. I use it every night and can tell a difference when i haven't used it in a day or two. One thing I did notice is that it will lose its efficacy if sitting for too long. So it's not one of those things you can leave in your cupboard and take out after a year and start using again. When its fresh and new, its the best!!! I only use it at night. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2026 by Lindsey Richards

  • Not for me, but maybe okay for others
Size: 4 Fl Oz
I preface this with saying that my comments are about how this product was for me, and it may work differently or wonderfully for someone else. I was a user of a product called "The Ordinary", and that product was the same (2%) as this one, but more like a serum. I tried this one based on the reviews. I dislike the bottle and the way the product comes out. It's a thinner liquid, and can be messy. You do have to pour it into your hand, and work it onto your face from there, so some product gets wasted. I did not find this product to me more remarkable than the other I used, and I've given it a fair shot (months of using). I wrote the manufacturer about the packaging, and they responded politely. I don't think it will change though unless others say something. I'll finish this bottle since I paid for it, and will go back to the other product, as the serum is placed on my skin with a dropper, and is not messy or wasted. Hopefully others have a better experience. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2026 by Katherine

  • If you actually understand how to use it, it's amazing.
Size: 4 Fl Oz
My skin type: - Very Dry, easily dehydrated - Oily nose - Prone to stubborn acne and closed comedones - Redness on chin and cheeks (not rosacea) I already use a nightly Tretinoin cream (.04% concentration) to help with my acne and premature signs of aging but decided with my derm that incorporating a BHA would be a good idea to help with my seriously stubborn closed comedones and some irritating textural issues. It was between this and the Cerave SA lotion and I ultimately decided on this due to the higher concentration of salicylic acid. It's moisturizing, and feels sticky for the first 5-10 minutes after application but seems to sinks in to something of a satin finish on me and I can no longer feel it on my skin. You just have to be a little patient. My skin feels well hydrated and plump after it settles and looks really smooth and my pores aren't as obvious. It sits just fine under makeup for me but I'm not a new user to chemical exfoliants so I don't have lots of dead skin pilling up or sloughing off when I use it, my skin is, for the most part, already very smooth outside the acne and CCs. Occasionally I'll apply it further down my neck/decolletage than usual and WOW do I old skin just ball up and peel right away - it's so gross but also satisfying. So those that don't exfoliate often or are new to BHA/AHAs will likely have issues with foundation until their skin adjusts (but it will adjust). My advice in those cases is to either use this at night for the first few weeks or just accept going barefaced for a little while if you can. I'd strongly suggest not applying this product over anything that you feel does not dry down fully, the times I've attempted to use it after serums or heavier products it takes forever to sink in and sometimes never fully does. I save all my serums and essences for after this has absorbed and it's far easier to work with it as a result. My steps go like this most days: ACWell Licorice toner --- PC 2% BHA --- 10% Niacinamide serum --- TO Matryxil serum --- Secret Key Black Snail cream or Syn-ake cream w/ 3 drops Stratia Fortify oil --- Sunscreen. It works fairly quickly IMO, on my neck where I typically don't apply my Tret at night I noticed the peeling and balling of dead skin on day one and on my face where I have a patch of really awful CCs I noticed them getting smaller and smoother by around day 3-4. I'm going on about 8 days now and they're barely visible unless I'm right up in the mirror and feel as if they're almost gone when I touch my fingers to that area. I do have some slight peeling of the skin around my mouth and nose but it's not terrible (likely because I already exfoliate the heck out of my skin with the tret). Some tips and things keep in mind: 1) DO NOT RINSE IT OFF. I don't understand some of the top reviews advising people to do that, it says on the bottle not to rinse and nearly all chemical exfoliators are meant to be left on until the next cleansing specifically so they can do their job. If you rinse it off you're either going to prevent it from properly exfoliating or end up irritating the hell out of your skin. If you have oily skin and feel this might be heavy on you than you can probably just use this on bare skin and then sunscreen if you use in the AM or a lightweight lotion/cream and be done with it, but you need to leave it on your skin. 2) You have got to use sunscreen while you're using this product! Any BHA or AHA exfoliant causes increased sun sensitivity and you have to address that in your routine. You should already use sunscreen daily but it becomes a must when you incorporate a chemical exfoliator or you risk sun damage. 3) Less is more! Don't slop this on your face or soak a cotton pad in it, a little goes a long way and you'll be kicking yourself if you apply way too much and have to wait 20+ minutes for it to sink in. Use a shake or two and add more if needed but go easy. 4) Expect some irritation initially. Chemical exfoliants can be harsh and rough even on sturdy skin and you have to give yourself time to adjust. Over-exfoliation is a possibility but sometimes just introducing a BHA or AHA into your routine can cause some sensitivity. Don't panic and just be gentle to your skin. Use ceramides (like Cerave Skin Renewing cream) or fatty oils to soothe your face if needed and try to stay away from any harsh products or acids like Vitamin C right after applying this to avoid really burning your face. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2020 by Audrey S.

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