How much Paula's Choice BHA should I use?

How should I apply it?

1. 1Cleanse your face. If you use a toner, apply it before the BHA.
2. 2Tip the bottle once or twice into your palm or onto a cotton pad. Spread a thin layer over your face and neck, avoiding your eyelids and lash line.
3. 3Leave the exfoliant on. Do not rinse it off.
4. 4Follow with the rest of your routine and moisturizer. In the morning, finish with broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher.

Paula's Choice allows fingers or a cotton pad, so cotton does not need a promotion to mandatory equipment.1

What if it feels sticky or greasy?

Try using less at your next application. Too much liquid can leave a greasy film. Glycol in the formula can also contribute to that feel, particularly in humid conditions, so stickiness is not always just an amount problem.1

Do I need to use it twice a day?

No. Paula's Choice starts you at every other day and allows an increase to once or twice daily depending on tolerance and need. Twice daily is an option, not a target. If dryness or irritation develops, use salicylic acid less often rather than increasing the amount.12

As general skincare guidance, excessive exfoliation can irritate skin and disrupt the structures that hold water and healthy fats. A simple, consistent routine is easier to keep up, without turning the bathroom into a second workplace.3

How long should I give it?

Salicylic acid is especially useful for blackheads and whiteheads because it unclogs pores. For acne, apply a thin layer across the affected, acne prone area rather than only individual spots. General acne treatment guidance is to give one active product 6 to 8 weeks before adding another. Effective treatment can produce fewer breakouts in 4 to 8 weeks, with clearing taking around 16 weeks.4

Keep moisturizer in the routine: salicylic acid can dry and irritate skin, and daily moisturizer can help you tolerate treatment. For acne prone skin, look for "noncomedogenic" or "won't clog pores" on the container.5

When should I use less or stop?

General precautions for topical salicylic acid apply:

• On first use, test a small amount on one or two small areas for 3 days before wider application.
• Do not apply to broken, red, swollen, irritated or infected skin. Seek medical advice for severe or persistent irritation or stinging.
• Check with your doctor before combining it on the same area with tretinoin, benzoyl peroxide or other topical medicines. Avoid abrasive cleansers and products containing alcohol on the treated area.
• Speak with your doctor before use if you have a salicylate allergy, are pregnant, are planning pregnancy or are breastfeeding.
• Stop using it and seek immediate medical help for hives, throat tightness, breathing difficulty, faintness or swelling of the eyes, face, lips or tongue.

Deep, painful pimples or acne that scars need a dermatologist rather than more exfoliant. Book an appointment if consistent treatment has not cleared your acne within a few months.4