Breaking down myths about BHA – Notes not to be missed when using

Known as a must-have ingredient for all skin types, including sensitive skin, BHAs have been and are favored in every beauty community. However, besides the advantages that this ingredient brings, there is still some information that makes skincare believers feel confused and even misunderstood leading to wrong skin care. Paula’s Choice will clarify in the following article. Let’s see!

Can’t AHA and BHA be used at the same time?

There is no scientific basis that AHA and BHA cannot be combined in the same skin care routine. They work effectively at the same pH and with the natural pH of the skin, so they can still be combined.

However, Paula’s Choice wants to emphasize that using alternate days or alternating morning – evening will also bring absolute results and this is ideal to limit the risk of skin “overloading” leading to irritation. You should only use these two ingredients at the same time in low concentrations in case the stratum corneum on the skin or the problem of clogged pores has become severe.

Here are some ways to combine BHA and AHA Paula’s Choice suggests you:

• Method 1: Use AHA in the morning, BHA in the afternoon or vice versa
• Method 2: Use even day AHA, odd day BHA
• Method 3: Apply AHA/BHA in the same routine according to the rule of liquid first – thicken later
• Method 4: Combine both ingredients by peeling once a week

The right combination of AHA and BHA will thoroughly cleanse the skin, let the skin breathe, while providing nutrients, promoting the regeneration process to keep the skin healthy and radiant.

Can’t BHAs be used for sensitive skin?

Many people believe that sensitive skin should not use cosmetics to minimize irritation. In fact, if you know how to properly care for it with the right products, sensitive problems and skin imperfections will quickly be improved.

Even with BHA ingredients, this active ingredient is completely suitable for sensitive skin, even with the anti-inflammatory nature of Salicylic Acid (the BHA form common in BHA Paula’s Choice products), BHA products It will help reduce redness and irritation on the skin.

Refer to the BHA formula for sensitive skin – Calm 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant. With a concentration of 1% BHA along with lotion texture and essential nutrients, the product has the ability to clean deep in pores, completely removing impurities, dirt, sebum while still being gentle to the skin, enjoys strong cell regeneration for deep clean, healthy glowing skin:

• 1% BHA: Cleansing, anti-inflammatory
• Green Tea & Oat Extract: Soothes and Brightens Skin
• Glycerin: Moisturises and maintains smooth moisture for the skin

BHA causes dry, flaky skin?

Many people think that using BHA will make the skin dry, flaky, and even irritated. In fact, if BHA is not used scientifically and appropriately, BHA can still cause dryness, peeling, and even irritation. Therefore, in order for BHA products to work to their fullest potential, new BHA users should adhere to the following principles:

First, use a low to high concentration:

Let the skin get used to BHA at a low concentration (1% or 2%), then depending on the reaction and condition of the skin to gradually increase the concentration to 4% BHA or 9% BHA:

• 1% BHA: Calm 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant
• 2% BHA: Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
• 4% BHA: Resist Advanced Pore-Refining Treatment 4% BHA
• 9% BHA: Skin Perfecting BHA 9

Second, use with the right frequency:

For new beauty believers “practicing” using BHA, you should do the following:

• Week 1: 1 time/week
• Week 2 + 3: 2-3 times/week
• Week 4: Gradually increase frequency according to skin reaction

Besides, always apply broad-spectrum sunscreen – Broad Spectrum with SPF of 30 or higher during the day for comprehensive skin protection.

Third, strengthen the skin’s moisture:

To prevent dryness and flaking, we recommend adding Hyaluronic Acid Booster to your skin care routine.

Enriched with Hyaluronic Acid and deeply moisturizing ingredients, this boost serum quickly softens and soothes skin, reducing irritation and redness while leaving skin even and radiant.

Then, don’t forget to lock in moisture with a suitable moisturizer.

Fourth, use the right step:

Exfoliating products containing BHA are used after cleansing and toner.

With a concentration of 1%, 2% or 4% BHA, you can use it all over your face.

With a higher concentration of BHA active ingredients like Skin Perfecting BHA 9, you only need to apply the product to the spots that need treatment.

Is BHA Paula’s Choice greasy?

Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is one of the best-selling products at Paula’s Choice, won the Glamor Award 2021 and has been in the top of the best-selling BHA products in the world for many years in a row. But for some skin, this product causes greasy, feeling of “excess” moisture after application, why is that?

Ingredients that are said to cause stickiness

Instead of using solvents that cause dryness and have an adverse effect on the natural skin barrier like dry alcohol, Paula’s Choice uses Butylene Glycol – a benign solvent that has the ability to lightly moisturize the skin. With low solubility properties, the Butylene Glycol solvent in the product will help the structure to be stable against adverse external influences.

In addition, the product also contains a large amount of Methylpropanediol. This is a synthetic ingredient that functions as a solvent, scientifically known as 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol that promotes natural hydration in the skin, stimulating the absorption of Salicylic Acid. At the same time, it supports antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and prevents sensitive and irritation problems.

Suggestions for proper usage

If you have a sticky feeling after applying Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, don’t worry because this is a phenomenon that can be easily controlled and will not affect the effectiveness of the product. Specifically, here are some changes to help you fix this problem:

First, use less amount:

Paula’s Choice expert has researched and given the appropriate amount is about 2-3 drops of product depending on the skin area. More than this can make your skin feel greasy.

Second, apply with a cotton pad:

Using a cotton pad to absorb the product and then apply it evenly on the skin will make the solution spread faster and penetrate more easily.

Third, try another 2% BHA formula:

More than anyone else, Paula’s Choice understands that your skin is unique and that each skin reacts differently to the same products. We have researched and created formulas containing 2% BHA concentration with adjustments in the composition and texture to optimize for each skin:

• Clear Regular Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution With 2% Salicylic Acid: Watery liquid texture; Suitable for normal skin, acne skin, acne skin
• Resist Daily Pore-Refining Treatment With 2% BHA: Liquid texture; Add anti-oxidant ingredients, improve aging
• Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant: Gel texture; Gentle moisturizing, suitable for all skin types, especially dry skin, dry combination

Besides, although all Paula’s Choice ingredients work well on the skin even when applied continuously, the hot summer weather can make you feel uncomfortable if you continuously apply layers of skincare, so please Take time off between skin care steps to get the most comfortable and relaxing feeling.

BHA causes skin to break out

After a period of using BHA, the skin can appear massively acne, blackheads and many people think that BHA has caused the skin to break out. In fact, this is called purging, which is normal thanks to the action of BHA. Specifically, BHA will penetrate and remove impurities in pores, activate pores and inherent acne spots, promoting their rapid appearance on the skin. The purging process will end when your skin is completely cleansed.
Meanwhile, break out is the appearance of acne due to irritation and sensitivity when using inappropriate products. This phenomenon will repeat if you continue to use products that are not suitable for your skin and do not take timely measures to improve. You need to distinguish between purging and break out so as not to “misunderstand” the impact of BHA.

To improve purging condition, you can dot acne with Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% or 5%, then add 10% Azelaic Acid Booster to fade acne, even skin tone and limit redness, inflammation and swelling. caused by acne.