Paula's Choice 2% BHA is fucking amazing! <KLAXON>

[ChickenVindaloo]

Hey,

I'm 33 and have had stubborn blackheads/sebaceous filaments for years.

I've been using this stuff for a month now and practically all those little black dots have gone. Sometimes they just vanish into the night without me noticing, sometimes they come out with a wee squeeze.

There was one in particular though which wouldn't come out even when I squeezed it and it ended up scabbing over cos I picked it too much. But just there, I picked the scab off and there it was, fat, juicy and delicious, a tiny black lump just sitting prone, ready for the squeeze. And out it came. Leaving a clear pore behind. Years I've had that. Years. Goodbye.

[BettyOBarley]

Ooh sounds great, where can I buy ??!

[Nabootique]

Look Fantastic stock PC now, which is better than the only alternative which is to have it shipped from the States (unless other places have it now as well). Bad form to use a klaxon OP. Those are reserved for sporners and parking threads

[BendydickCuminsnatch]

What on earth! I need this!!! Do you think it would work on scalp cysts (sorry if that's gross). DH has a blackhead that he's had for about a decade and I can never get it! Oh the possibilities...!

[BendydickCuminsnatch]

Yes, I must say I was disappointed re. use of klaxon.

[Nabootique]

Oh, forget what I said (not about where to buy PC). That was a bit sporny. That'll teach me to skim read. As you were

[banivani]

Tell me more about the squeezing, baby. Tell me more.

[Lucked]

Interesting since using pixi glow my horrendous pores and blackheads are much improve ( they come back if I stop so not cured) but I might Paula's choice next - is it also a toner?

[Lucked]

Also isn't it great when one pops out and you have a perfect empty little hole.

[ChickenVindaloo]

Oh the squeezing was great! I used my Tweezerman magnifying mirror suctioned to my livingroom window. And because it's so sunny today, I could see it all in glorious HD!

I'm sitting here now, relaxed and just replaying it in my mind, a bit like sex flashbacks after a good shag.

Pixiglow tonic is an AHA which takes off the top layer of skin. (It's water soluble). Good for sun damaged skin.
BHA is oil soluble which means it actually gets inside your pores and dislodges the gunk.
I alternate them. They are both acid toners.

I order from Paula's Choice UK website and it arrives in 2-3 days.

Yeah, sorry the klaxon was a bit of an afterthought but can be used when Bendydick gets to her OH's scalp cyst

[TimTamTerrier]

I'm horribly allergic to Pixiglow, I look like I have some horrible disease the next day. I've heard that Paula's Choice is more skin kind though so have been meaning to try it. There is an EU site for PC, here and you can order a sample set of each range for €3. I did quite a bit of research into skin care about 18 months ago because my skin was getting increasingly sensitive but I never got around to trying PC.

[HelsinkiLights]

I love this! I got a sample with Birchbox & ended up buying the large size from the Paula's Choice uk website. You also get a generous sample size of your choice when you order.
//www.paulaschoice.co.uk

[botemp]

It is very good, so good in fact I no longer need to use it. Now that you have the BHA try this technique with it and be amazed.

[Jmangel]

What's a sporner? And why a klaxon for parking?

[HermioneWeasley]

Place marking

[dungandbother]

For those of us on a budget... PC is expensive. I got some free and it def works. It stopped my constant hormonal chin spots. I couldn't afford to buy it. I use Boots Skin Clear lotion. It has salicylic acid in....
No more chin spots.

So try the Boots if on a budget. But klaxon for PC for sure.

[banivani]

I'm waiting for an offer before I splash out on PC. I did buy the BHA lotion once on offer - DO NOT BUY THIS money down the drain. It's the liquid everyone raves about.

[princessconsuelabannahammock]

my skincare routine consists of a damp flannel with soap😮 and now I am rapidly approaching 40 I can see the damage my neglect has caused.

My skin feels rough and a bit bumpy. I used to have severe acne and still have blackheads and open pores. I have red patches on my cheeks and wrinkles.

Is this what I need? Please help, I am totally clueless

[Nabootique]

A sporner is someone who loves to hear about squeezing spots, blackheads, all that sort of thing, and doing it themselves.

Not sure why klaxon for parking. They're usually very popular threads. Tis a hot topic on MN.

[ChickenVindaloo]

Princess - I swear by Dr Sam Bunting videos on YouTube.

Step away from the soap and flannel.
Buy Avene or la roche posay, both available in Boots.
Work your way up to acid toners as you develop your routine.
Be gentle! Keep it simple. Use SPF.

[ChickenVindaloo]

Princess, you might actually want to see your GP for the redness. you might have rosacea and they can prescribe a cream.

[princessconsuelabannahammock]

I saw my gp and he said it was scaring from my acne - I did have terrible acne, thankfully no pitting.

Years ago I had a acid prescription facial from a swanky salon, it removed the last of my acne and gave me lovely skin. I bought the products but at £100 a set I didn't keep it up- also was rubbish at putting on spf so figured I might be doing more harm than good. However my laughter lines are no laughing matter now so time to start getting serious.

I have ordered a trial sized set so will give it a whirl.

Any other tips or hints for the lazy and uninformed? Please.

[doctorboo]

Are the prices at The Hut any good?

m.thehut.com/elysium.search?autocomplete=searchsuggestion&search=paula's%20choice

[SerenaVanDerWoodsen]

Is it this one you recommend? www.paulaschoice.co.uk/shop/shop-by-skin-concern/blackheads/skin-perfecting-2-beta-hydroxy-acid-liquid-exfoliant.html

[ChickenVindaloo]

Serena, this is the one I've got:
www.paulaschoice.co.uk/clear-extra-strength-anti-redness-exfoliating-solution.html
Not sure there's a huge difference with the one you linked to.

Doctor, yes, those seem good prices. Free delivery at PC though if you spend over £50. Plus you get free samples.

Princess, acid toners probably won't do that much for your laughter lines*. They will help with your open pores and redness though. (Go gently)

*Depending on how bad your laughter lines are, you will want to do:

1. if they're really bad, you need to consider fillers such as juvederm (injected by a medical professional)
   
2. if they're moderately bad, consider using prescription strength Retin-A (also called tretinoin). Do not confuse this with retinol which you can buy in products over the counter. For Retin-A you need a private prescription. You can only get it on the NHS if you have active acne. Ironically, it was an acne medicine which turned out to have an anti-ageing side-effect! You can also buy it on the internet at your own risk!!
   
   Overall though, for good skin, it's really about not smoking and using SPF. (And having good genes!) Apart from RetinA, nothing you put on your skin will make a huge amount of difference. No need to spend £££. Remember, if you can buy it over the counter, the chances are it won't work a miracle - otherwise they'd have to licence it as a drug!
   
   Honestly, if you watch some Dr Bunting videos then pick up some La roche posay or avene from boots, start a simple face care routine AND START USING SPF!!! then you can't go far wrong.
   
   If you have the money, though, I would recommend a seeing a private dermatologist for prescription strength stuff. Seeing Dr B in real life has saved me £££ in the long run cos I haven't wasted money on products that promise the earth and deliver bugger all!
   
   Dermablend make-up is also brilliant for disguising dodgy skin whilst you sort it out. (It doesn't clog pores and is used to cover scars etc)
   
   I also recommend the info section on Paula's Choice website and Caroline Hirons. But don't get overwhelmed, keep it simple and add a new step to your regime if and when you're ready.

[CarpetDiem]

Sounds amazing OP, I've got sebaceous filamenty black heads too, your combo sounds like exactly what I need