My Confidence Skyrocketed After I Started Using This Exfoliating Liquid
Finally, I don't feel insecure about going out in public makeup-free.
Welcome to Game Changers, a weekly series in which we reveal the holy grail beauty products we’re loving now—the ones that saved our hair, cleared our skin and, in some way, changed our lives.
I don’t have naturally “good” skin, and, growing up, that majorly affected how I carried myself. In high school, many of the other girls had radiant skin or used quality makeup to cover any imperfections, but I had neither. If it weren’t for my frizzy hair, I probably would’ve given myself bangs to cover up my forehead acne, which is where most of my pimples manifested. Even well into adulthood, I still got zits, but what bothered me even more than a few pesky blemishes was the uneven skin texture I had for years.
Unlike Glossier models (whose skin screams #dewydumpling), my skin would always have a few bumps and patches of dry, rough skin. Even if I was pimple-free, there would still be small bumps that would prevent me from having a smooth forehead, which was all I wanted. Finding good skincare products was a huge step in the right direction, and one of them has truly changed my life: Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant.
The Paula’s Choice exfoliating liquid uses 2% salicylic acid, which decongests pores of dead skin cell buildup on the surface level and then goes into the pores to clean up any harvesting bacteria. This helps treat existing acne and prevent future blemishes while also correcting skin texture. Just note that it is an acid, and, as with every other active ingredient, you should start using it once or twice a week before building up to daily use. Using too much too quickly can result in dehydrated, flaky skin. But, when used correctly, it can create skincare magic.
To use, apply a generous amount to a cotton ball and swipe it across clean skin. Let it sit and absorb into the skin before applying another product, like your favorite moisturizer or eye cream. You’ll probably see results very quickly—in my case, I saw a massive improvement in skin texture after using it for just one night.
Now, my skin breaks out a lot less than it used to and my forehead finally looks smooth. I can go outside without wearing makeup and feel confident in my bare skin. I know that my confidence shouldn’t lay in my looks, but if I’m being real, a good chunk of it does—but that’s a topic for another day. For right now, let me just say that the results of the Paula’s Choice exfoliating liquid are nearly immediate, and, for me, those effects go much further than skin deep.
