At the beginning of December I ordered the Paula’s Choice Calm Redness Relief 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant and my life changed. I started out using this a few times a week and then I boldly started using it every night. You can see my current skincare routine for anti-aging, sensitive, rosacea and dry skin here.
This product is vegan.
Where to Buy Paula’s Choice
Price $26 for 3.3 oz.
About Paula’s Choice Calm Redness Relief 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant Calm Redness Relief 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant has a lightweight lotion texture that works to soothe redness while unclogging pores and diminishing their size. It contains salicylic acid [BHA] to exfoliate and reduce rough, bumpy skin while reducing redness due to its anti-inflammatory action. Soothing plant-derived anti-irritants coax extra-sensitive, reddened skin into a more unified, healthy appearance.
Ingredients Water, Butylene Glycol [water-binding agent], Cetyl Alcohol [thickener/emollient], Magnesium Aluminum Silicate [matte finish thickener], Salicylic Acid [beta hydroxy acid/exfoliant], Cyclopentasiloxane [silicone slip agent], Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer [thickener], Camellia Sinensis [Green Tea] Leaf Extract [anti-inflammatory antioxidant], Glycyrrhiza Glabra [Licorice] Root Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium [Willow Herb] Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract [anti-irritants], Beta-Glucan [anti-inflammatory antioxidant], Allantoin [anti-irritant], Dimethicone [silicone skin-conditioning agent], Glycerin [skin-repairing ingredient], Lauric Acid [skin-repairing fatty acid], Sorbitan Stearate [emulsifier], PEG-40 Stearate [solubilizing agent], Polysorbate 20 [thickener], Xanthan Gum [thickener], Caprylyl Glycol [preservative], Hexylene Glycol [solvent], Sodium Hydroxide [pH adjuster], Disodium EDTA [chelating agent], Ethylhexylglycerin [skin-conditioning agent], Phenoxyethanol [preservative].
Key Benefits
- Has a pH range of 3.5-3.89.
- 100% fragrance free
- 100% colorant free
- Daily Exfoliant for Sensitive Skin
- Contains Green Tea and Licorice Root for anti-aging and brightening
As you know, I suffer from rosacea. My skin is sensitive. I’m now also prone to dryness. I absolutely hate flaky skin [which ends up emphasized by makeup] but with my rosacea and sensitivity, I didn’t feel like I could exfoliate daily with a physical exfoliant without further irritating my skin. Enter the Calming BHA lotion. Chemical exfoliants are gentler on my sensitive skin. They don’t scratch the skin or cause micro-tears the way some physical exfoliants are prone to do. From everything that I’ve researched, chemical exfoliants give you even results because you’re not rubbing it in, so much as applying a thin layer.
The Paula’s Choice Calm Redness Relief 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant is able to clean out the gunk in my pores and make them appear smaller. It also makes my skin feel smoother. Because of the calming ingredients, my skin also has less redness. I’ve also been using this with the Calm Rednesss Relief Serum. Between the two, I’ve seen the daily redness from my rosacea greatly diminished.
I love this Calming BHA lotion and I’m going to continue using it nightly to help reduce redness and keep my skin smooth. I’m really impressed with the results!
What’s your favorite facial exfoliant?
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A beautiful serum for sensitive skin or those with rosacea. It does not sting yet helps with gentle exfoliation. After my AM cleanse with a non-foaming cream cleanser, I apply this, then PC’s 10%...
About reviewer [1080 reviews]
Age44-55
SkinDry, Fair-Medium, Cool
HairBrunette, Wavy, Medium
EyesBlue
I received a travel size bottle of this free with a Paula's Choice order a while back. [I think PC had changed the packaging and was trying to get rid of the old bottles.] I already use PC's 2% BHA...
About reviewer [550 reviews]
Age36-43
SkinSensitive, Fair-Medium, Neutral
HairBrunette, Wavy, Fine
EyesHazel
I bought the 30 ml sample of this. I have rosacea mainly on my cheeks but don't really use this exfoliant on them as it is quite drying and my cheeks are already very dry. I do like to use it...
About reviewer [5 reviews]
Age19-24
SkinVery Dry, Fair, Not Sure
HairBlond, Other, Other
EyesBlue
the irony of this product is the claim that it's calming. in fact, it's the most irritating BHA she makes. Her original uncucumber flavored plain old 1% bha lotion was seriously kick ass, the best...
About reviewer [14 reviews]
Age
SkinOther
HairBlond
EyesGreen
While I think this lotion is okay, I don't think I would repurchase this particular formulation of BHA from Paula's Choice. I have very sensitive skin, and I have rosacea, so I do like products...
About reviewer [564 reviews]
Age30-35
SkinCombination, Fair, Warm
HairRed, Wavy, Fine
EyesBlue
I have been using this for a little over a month now and I'm really pleased. The previous BHA exfoliant I tried I believe was the 2% gel which was too strong. At the moment I use this once a...
About reviewer [87 reviews]
Age25-29
SkinCombination, Fair-Medium, Not Sure
HairBrunette, Wavy, Other
EyesBlue
Hey, I love Paula! I'm sensitive and breakout prone. Her 2% BHA got me through at least a decade with better skin than I thought I was ever going to have. Then I moved to the Clear 2% toner, which...
About reviewer [79 reviews]
Age56 & Over
SkinSensitive, Fair, Not Sure
HairBrown, Wavy, Medium
EyesHazel
I have no problems with this product. I purchased this instead of the 2% BHA cream because I thought the my skin would not be able to handle the strength of the cream. However, I find this a tad to...
About reviewer [3 reviews]
Age19-24
SkinCombination, Fair-Medium
HairBrunette
EyesBlack
I've tried this in hopes that it would improve my skins redness, and I don't think it did that. I did enjoy it otherwise, it has a really nice lightweight texture and is easier to apply than the 2%...
About reviewer [3 reviews]
Age19-24
SkinDry, Fair-Medium, Neutral
HairBrunette, Relaxed, Medium
EyesGreen
It's hard to be negative about this product as it hasn't caused me any further breakouts or had my skin extra sensitive, but I don't find that it has done miracles to me at all. I've wanted...
About reviewer [4 reviews]
AgeUnder 18
SkinDry, Fair-Medium, Warm
HairBrunette, Wavy, Medium
EyesBlue
I recommend anyone interested tries a sample first, but for me, so far this is very useful. Within minutes of first trying this my pores looked smaller, skin as a result, smoother and redness was...
About reviewer [127 reviews]
Age36-43
SkinVery Dry, Fair
HairBlond
EyesGreen
I have been sampling all of Paula's Choice exfoliants to find the right one[s] for me. I have oily to normal combination skin, with dry areas and sensitivity. Of the PC BHAs I have tried so far,...
About reviewer [163 reviews]
Age44-55
SkinCombination, Olive, Neutral
HairBrown, Curly, Medium
EyesBrown
I like how it goes on. It's smooth and silky and easily absorbs into my skin without leaving a film of any type. It has made a big difference in my skin....in the places my skin is not damaged by...
About reviewer [7 reviews]
Age30-35
SkinCombination, Fair, Neutral
HairOther, Curly, Fine
EyesHazel
This is a difficult product to review; something I'm finding with all the CALM products I've tried so far. For me so far, this has been very middle of the line: not a terrible product by any means,...
About reviewer [21 reviews]
Age25-29
SkinSensitive, Fair, Not Sure
HairBlond, Straight, Fine
EyesHazel
Great product that's gentle enough for everyday use. It is a lotion but it's not that moisturizing - you'll likely need to use moisturizer on top of this [if you have normal-dry skin] The packaging...
About reviewer [145 reviews]
Age25-29
SkinNormal, Fair-Medium, Neutral
HairBlack, Straight, Fine
EyesBrown
I've used several of Paula' Choice exfoliants, and am impressed with this formulation for rosacea-prone skin. Although I am oily, in wintry, cold weather, my skin turns turbulent, red achy and...
About reviewer [166 reviews]
Age56 & Over
SkinCombination
HairBlond
EyesGreen
Update: I don't think this is doing enough to exfoliate my skin because I am always having a zit or two lately with the Calm products so either this product is a culprit or it is not doing it's...
About reviewer [1679 reviews]
Age56 & Over
SkinSensitive, Fair, Warm
HairBrown, Wavy, Fine
EyesHazel
This is a mid weight lotion for all skin types. It is sold separately from their dry and oily skin lines. I believe those with dry or combination skin might like this. It comes in a pump style...
About reviewer [272 reviews]
Age25-29
SkinNormal, Fair, Cool
HairBrunette, Straight, Fine
EyesBrown
My skin is highly sensitive and I struggled with acne throughout my teens, finally resorting to Accutane. I've had bouts of redness and sensitivity. This is hereditary in my family, full of...
About reviewer [830 reviews]
Age36-43
SkinSensitive, Fair, Neutral
HairBlond, Straight, Medium
EyesBlue
I have types 1 and 2 Rosacea, so I'm always searching for products to alleviate the redness. I've been using both of Paula's new CALM products for the past week and I don't like either. This one...
How long does it take to see results from BHA exfoliant?
AHAs [glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, mandelic acid] and BHAs [salicylic acid]: You can start seeing results within minutes of the first application, but peak results — such as anti-aging effects — don't appear until 12 weeks.
Should you use BHA exfoliant everyday?
For most people, using a 2% BHA exfoliator 2-3 times per week is a good starting point. You can then assess how your skin responds and adjust the frequency based on your individual needs. If you notice any signs of irritation or dryness, you may want to decrease the frequency of use.
Do you use BHA exfoliant before or after lotion?
Apply your AHA or BHA exfoliant after the cleanser and toner steps in your routine. If it's a liquid, apply it with a cotton pad; if a lotion or gel, apply it with your fingers. Apply an occasional-use rinse-off exfoliant peel to cleansed skin, and rinse after several minutes.
What does BHA exfoliant do?
BHAs clear up blackheads, whiteheads [milia] and have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. This umbrella term includes the popular anti-acne ingredient of Salicylic Acid. BHAs also exfoliate the top layer but are best used for their deep penetrative qualities.