Paula's Choice reviews and discussion

4.5

91% of reviewers would recommend to a friend

Reviews mention

  • Effective exfoliant results
  • Gentle formulas for sensitive skin
  • Fragrance-free ingredient philosophy
  • Wide, targeted product range
  • Occasional irritation and peeling
  • Sticky or oily textures
  • Leaky, clunky packaging
  • Inconsistent results for some

Paula’s Choice earns largely positive reviews for delivering effective, science‑driven skincare—especially the Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, which visibly clears pores, smooths texture, reduces breakouts, and suits many sensitive skins. Reviews also flag weaknesses: some formulas feel too strong or irritating, results can be inconsistent, textures can be sticky or oily, packaging is fussy or leaks, and the aesthetic reads dated—making the brand powerful but not universally effortless.

AI summary based on Thingtesting reviews

214 reviews and posts

  • Can't go wrong with the pore-refining toner! It's powerful but not stripping or sensitizing and is worth the money for what you get

  • The 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is a skincare product that I never go without. My skin is really dry and sensitive and this helps to keep my skin clear and smooth without irritating it at all! I also really love all of the Paula’s Choice Retinol. The quality is so much better than any other retinol products I’ve used!

  • I have only tried the 2% BHA Exfoliate. It’s a fantastic product, that I have recommended to both my male and female friends alike. I love how the product feels on my skin, it’s silky soft yet doesn’t leave you feeling oily. It’s one of those products that I just loved using everyday and I do also feel it helped with texture on my face. It’s definitely on my list of top products. Also, a little goes a long way!

  • I've been using the Paula's Choice Aha BHA exfoliant and love it. I'm so glad this product works for my skin and I use it regularly. It's particularly great during weeks when my skin is breaking out; I feel like it really does help clear my skin up quicker and keep further breakouts at bay. I will be repurchasing when I run out. So many people rave about this product and I'm glad it works for my skin!

  • QUALITY excellent ingredients. Based my purchase on their prior website beautypedia (where they analyzed various brands based on quality and efficacy - no longer online). PRICE very reasonable mid tier pricing (Not grocery store and not over priced).

  • This review is specifically for the popular exfoliant. I found it to leave an oily finish after application. Personally, I'd choose another exfoliant product.

  • I love the BHA toner. I’ve always have bad blackheads and I’ve never ever been able to get rid of them but just a few months of using the toner they’re all basically gone. This is definitely always on reorder for me.

    Feedback

    The toner is really good!

  • I love the skin-perfecting 2% BHA exfoliator. I use it on my face and my body and it really minimizes blemished and fades dark spots

  • I love the brand and the product. Have to watch out for some of the exfoliants because a lot of them are recommended for daily use but I know that could've damaged my skin barrier (sensitive skin).

    Feedback

    Paula's Choice customer service could really improve. I had a package that arrived with half of the products spilled and they told me I had to send them back but pay for the shipping of the products back. The whole interaction felt weird to me, considering none of it was my fault.

  • I've been using Paula's Choice BHA 2% Exfoliant for over 2 years now and I still can't get enough. It's gentle on my skin and has made such a huge difference in the appearance of my complexion. I apply it 3 times a week and it has never caused any skin irritation. It’s worth the hype

  • Their products are amazing!!! The 2% bha liquid exfoliant is my favorite product of all time from any brand. It is incredible, you apply it at night and seriously wake up with clear skin.

  • Love love love everything from Paula's choice! The BHA/AHA exfoliator completely changed my skin and made it so much clearer/less congested. Their vitamin C serum made my skin so much brighter and the retinol significantly improved the tone and texture of my skin. Definitely will be trying more of their products!

  • Great brand with great products that actually do produce noticeable change in your skin! I love their products!

  • I tried the C5 Super Boost Vitamin C Moisturizer. It is a really hydrating cream and leaves the skin with a noticeable glow. The consistency is great, its really lightweight and blends quickly into the skin. I will say I don't think there is any changes in terms of firmness of the skin. I had to slowly ease into using this cream as the first night I used it, my skin felt hot and was slightly red. I also had a lot of pilling from this product even on my neck where I don't use any other products. There is a weird plastic-y sweetish scent to the cream that stays for a while. Not my favorite cream.. I haven't even tried to use it during the day since my skin was so sensitive.

  • Paula's Choice skincare is always reliable and effective. The packaging may come off "grandmotherly" to some but it's the product that counts! Their RESIST daily hydrating SPF 50 is super light, which makes it great for those new to sunscreen. Their 1% retinol really packs a punch and their azelaic acid applies very smoothly compared to The Ordinary's! Their products are a little on the pricey side but they are worth it! Plus sales are common.

  • Love their BHA toner - helps eliminate and exfoliate breakouts. Clean ingredients and reasonable pricing.

  • Although this company has many amazing formulas, I really want to highlight their “age resist omega moisturizer SPF 50” this was a game changer in sunscreen for me. I can’t stand the traditional, thick, overly scented sunscreens and this is so far from that. This one is so lightweight it absorbs leaving barely anything there and the sunscreen scent is so minimal/ I cannot recommend this enough. (Their other products are just as good fyi)

  • Amazing range that caters to all skin types! The Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is my favourite and I've repurchased 3 times already.

  • Love their AHA/BHA exfoliator! Made my skin texture so much smoother after one use.

  • It’s a cult classic but I haven’t really seen much results from my personal use

    Feedback

    Easier packaging for daily use