Unrivaled Products 1: Beta Hydroxy Acid Gel

July 18, 2008

There are 3 skin care products that the market could not replace. They are unique either in their formulation, their performance, or their quality for the price. If they became unavailable, I know of no substitute. All 3 are made by Paula’s Choice.

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Today, Beta Hydroxy Acid Exfoliants

For refining the texture of my skin, nothing compares to this product. Nothing even comes close. All the descriptive words, like clarity and evenness, have been used in so many cosmetic marketing campaigns for products that do nothing. Though we expect to see these words, we’ve become jaded to them. Specifically, what I notice is this :

- the skin on my face is smoother when I wash it in the morning, like I’ve used scrubbing grains but without the abraded feeling
- the color is more even, with less disparity between the light and dark patches
- the texture reflects light better (from the smoothness), so there’s a slight brightening effect
- pores seem a little less perceptible

The effect begins to be seen within 5 to 7 applications. The product is available as a lotion, gel, or liquid. Visit Paula’s Choice and choose BHA & AHA Exfoliants under Skin Care.

1% Beta Hydroxy Acid Gel

Understanding alpha and beta hydroxy acids

The difference between an alpha and beta hydroxyl acid solution is this : the alpha is a surface exfoliant. The beta, because of its ability to be soluble in oil, penetrates beneath the surface into the pores themselves, as well as being a mild surface exfoliant. You can learn by visiting Paula’s Choice and clicking Learn>>Skin Care Facts >> Blemishes>> Understanding Exfoliants.

Alpha and beta hydroxyl acids are considered chemical exfoliants, as opposed to a mechanical exfoliant like scrubbing grains The problem with surface scrubbing agents is that they can’t distinguish between dead and living tissue so you risk overdoing it.

Ineffective at the wrong pH

pH is a way of measuring how acid or alkaline something is. If the pH is not correct, neither the alpha or beta hydroxy acid exfoliants will have an effect. Good luck finding either type of exfoliant in a format that is unscented and of the correct pH to be effective, but the betas are especially difficult to find. The correct formulation is what makes the Paula’s Choice product such a find.

You have no way of finding this information on the container. The saleswoman often has no idea, but might take it on faith that “her company” wouldn’t make a worthless product. You’d be amazed how many hydroxy acid products are made with an ineffective pH. Why do they even bother?

Linked to source.

Choosing the right hydroxyl for you

In general, the alpha hydroxys, as surface exfoliants, are best for people with sun damage such as thick skin, fine surface wrinkling, or areas of pigmentation. There are no cures in cream form for any of these, but there is an anti-aging effect to be derived in that the skin damage is made less evident

Beta hydroxys are best for skin that develops blemishes as a result of clogged pores. On my skin, these work far better. I notice an improvement within 2 days. I do use an alpha product because I have sun damage and my skin is not sensitive, but I use it less often on my face, and more on my throat, upper chest, forearms, and hands.

I know many women including those with rosacea who use beta hydroxys with no sensitivity problem. This is probably because beta hydroxyl acids (salicylic acids) are related to aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) and have some of aspirin’s ability to reduce inflammation. If you skin reacts easily, just order a sample from Paula’s Choice and try it on a small area first. It costs pennies and might surprise you in the difference it can make.

The 2% is definitely stronger than the 1%. I use the 2% on the T-zone and the 1% on the rest of may face.

If you do not want to wear makeup, you might consider using this to improve the overall smoothness and coloring of your complexion. It is outstanding for blemishes which I get in summer because of all the sunscreen I wear.

No alternative

As consumers become more knowledgeable about everything, they apply pressure on the cosmetics industry to create products that work. It’s been a long time coming. Still, this remains one of the very few truly great beta hydroxy products for skin.

Posted by Christine Scaman | Filed Under Paula's Choice, Skin Care

Comments

5 Responses to “Unrivaled Products 1: Beta Hydroxy Acid Gel”

Mary on July 19th, 2008 5:34 pm

Agree 100%. This products are brilliant. Since I have oily skin, with a tendency to blackheads on my nose, I use them much as you do: Beta Hydroxy all over my face by day; at night, I use the Beta on my nose, Alpha on the rest of my face, neck and upper chest.

When Paula first revealed that many exfoliants produced by the mainstream cosmetics companies don’t work because of the wrong PH, I was just stunned. Like you, I wondered, why bother? Why risk annoying your customers when they find the product doesn’t do what it promised?

Look forward to your next two picks.
Brenda Tyree on July 20th, 2008 4:05 pm

I discovered Paula’s Book about 3 years ago and her products soon after. I had been wearing coverderm to hide the Rosacea and my Rudolph looking nose. I used to never wear facial make-up except a little blush. I hated wearing all that face make-up or looking like I had on clown make-up if I didn’t. I did get a couple of Photo lazer treatments which helped tremendously with the spider veins and the nose reddness. But my skin was so sensitive that I could not use products to now fight aging without setting my face on fire and making it red again. Then Paula came along. I use her BHA product (started with the 1% every other day and now use the 2% everyday. I am 54 and anytime any of my fellow nurses have skin issues – they are directed to me. I have much younger women asking me what kind of face make-up I use that stays on 12 + hours and makes my skin look so beautiful. I love telling them nothing except cheek stain and give them a print out from Paula’s website. I would be very upset if her products stopped being produced. I do not believe they are replaceable. Brenda Tyree
Christine Scaman on July 22nd, 2008 7:42 pm

Mary,
The beta hydroxy is fabulous. There is no doubt about it. I’m especially liking it this summer to keep breakouts to a minimum with all the sunscreen. In fact, there are no breakouts to contend with at all.
Once you’ve heard my 3 picks, please comment and let me know if you agree, or if you have other suggestions. I’d love to hear.

Brenda,
I so welcome your comment! I know so many women with sensitive skin, or rosacea, or a similar concern who simply close the door to exfoliants. They automatically write them off as irritating without giving them a try. The beta products are not the same as the alpha. There is unquestionably a difference in how skin responds. I’m amazed that you used the 2% each day! Glad to hear your skin is getting such a benefit. I love the stuff.
M on July 22nd, 2008 8:47 pm

I use this, too! I’m thinking I’m going to have to step up to the 2%; the 1% seems to have max’d out on my pores, although they’re much better (less visible, less troublesome) than they were before. I also have AWFUL rosacea, and it’s been much better since I started using this product. Yay, Paula! Yay, Christine! Can’t wait to read the other two!
Amelia on August 8th, 2008 4:03 pm

I agree wholeheartedly! I spent miserable teen years trying so many different products and going on Accutane and minocyclin and repeated the old adage of “it has to get worse before it gets better” like a mantra…but nothing has done more for me than reading Paula’s books and website. I’ve gained an understanding of my skin and what will work and what to avoid that my dermotologist barely bothered to convey, and when I started on Paula’s products themselves and not just the drugstore recommendations, I discovered the BHA is a true gem. It does everything you mentioned above, all without any irritation- and my skin I had almost given up on for being able to handle anything more than a gentle wash with Cetaphil lotion. And most importantly, it’s given me a self-confidence about my appearance I never thought I’d have after all these years. Perhaps ironically, I actually *want* to wear makeup, because my skin feels smooth and I don’t cringe at the thought of putting something on it for fear of breakouts and uneven texture. Can’t say enough about it!