Paula's Choice BHA before or after toner?

What order should you use?

1. 1Cleanse gently, then gently pat your face dry.
2. 2Apply your hydrating toner, if you use one. Gently swipe or spray it on after cleansing; ordinary facial toner does not need rinsing.
3. 3Apply your leave on BHA as directed on its bottle. Keep salicylic acid away from your eyes, mouth and the inside of your nose.
4. 4Follow with moisturizer. Exfoliation can dry the skin, so moisturizer belongs after the treatment, not before it.
5. 5In the morning, finish your skincare with sunscreen. Apply makeup afterward if you wear it.

You do not need to add toner just to use BHA. Without toner, apply the treatment after cleansing, then moisturize. A toner is optional, so the routine does not need an opening act. The useful distinction is between a hydrating step and an exfoliating treatment, not how many bottles fit beside the sink.25

What if your toner contains acids?

Check the ingredient list rather than treating every toner as a hydration step. Hyaluronic acid and glycerin are hydrating ingredients. Glycolic acid, lactic acid and salicylic acid are exfoliating acids; a toner containing them adds another exfoliating product to the routine. Using both is a question of total exfoliation, not just which bottle goes first.1

For a simpler routine, choose one exfoliating product rather than layering an acid toner and BHA in the same session. Adding more products increases the chance of side effects. You can keep the routine to cleanser, treatment and moisturizer, without giving every bottle a speaking role. If toner leaves your skin dry or irritated, leave it out rather than trying to fix the problem by changing its position.35

How often should you use the combination?

Keep BHA frequency within your bottle's directions. Do not use extra applications to speed things up. Your exfoliation schedule should also reflect your skin type and how irritating the treatment is: stronger exfoliation generally needs less frequent use. A toner can be used once or twice daily, but that does not mean an exfoliating toner belongs in every routine. For a toner with potentially irritating active ingredients, starting every other day is general guidance, not a Paula's Choice dosing instruction.134

What should you expect from BHA?

Salicylic acid helps prevent clogged follicles, the openings from which hairs grow, and helps break down blackheads and whiteheads. Exfoliating acid toners can also smooth texture and make pores look smaller, but pore size is largely genetic. These are general ingredient effects, not a promise of a particular result or timeline from your Paula's Choice product.14

When should you skip BHA or get advice?

Do not exfoliate sunburned skin or skin with open cuts or wounds, and do not apply salicylic acid to irritated, infected or reddened areas. If you use prescription retinoids, retinol or benzoyl peroxide, adding exfoliation can worsen dryness and irritation. Get advice before combining salicylic acid with other medicated treatments on the same area. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, discuss salicylic acid use with your doctor. Stop a product that causes irritation; moderate or severe irritation, flushing or unusually warm, red skin needs medical advice.345