fave products // paula's choice calm exfoliant, serum & moisturizer

If anyone out there has skin that is sensitive to certain ingredients, chemicals, or fragrances like I do, calming skincare products are of the utmost importance. I’ve been a Paula’s Choice fan for a while now- their affordable, yet effective products are hard to beat- so I was excited to try some goodies from their Calm line. After using a gentle cleanser (you could use their Calm Nourishing Cleanser) to wash my face, I apply the Calm 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant to dry skin with my fingertips. It’s a slightly milder version of their cult fave Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid you may have heard about, but still seems to work its magic thanks to potent exfoliator salicylic acid. It feels smooth going on, and gently exfoliates to minimize pore size and smooth the skin. Next up, I followed with the Calm Repairing Serum, which is the perfect overall pick-me-up for sensitive skin. It’s lightweight, yet super hydrating, and is packed with antioxidants that help calm redness and fight signs of aging. I like to use it both morning and night, before applying moisturizer. In the mornings, I follow with the Calm Mineral Moisturizer with SPF 30 to keep my skin protected from UVA & UVB rays from the sun. I always prefer to use sunscreens that are mineral-based (zinc oxide & titanium dioxide) as they don’t irritate my skin like the others. Hyaluronic acid and apricot oil add a wonderful hydrating effect, and help protect the skin’s delicate moisture barrier. Plus, this one doesn’t leave that annoying white film on your skin, and goes on perfectly under makeup! I just discovered there’s a Calm Restoring Moisturizer with hydrating squalane and jojoba oil I think I’ll try next as an evening moisturizer too. Sign me up! I highly recommend checking out Paula’s Choice if you haven’t already!

 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

fave products // paula's choice skincare boosters

 
 

Allow me to let you in on a recent skincare trend I’ve been loving. Skincare boosters! Boosters have been gaining popularity lately, and for good reason. Simply put, they’re high-powered formulas of concentrated ingredients that amplify improvements in your skin, so you get the results you want, only quicker! Paula’s Choice has created eight powerhouse boosters, each targeting a specific skincare concern, that can be used alone or combined with your favorite serum or moisturizer to give it that extra potency. I like that Paula’s Choice chooses to use only ingredients backed by research for the exact concerns each booster is designed to address. That way you know you’re getting a truly effective product! I’ve been trying out a few of the boosters recently, and can honestly say I’m impressed. Their lightweight textures make them ideal to layer with my other products, and be on my way!

Starting with a tried and true favorite, the Hyaluronic Acid Booster targets parched skin, fine lines, and lack of suppleness with ease, leaving you with soft, plump skin. If you struggle with red or brown marks, dull skin, or fine lines, the C15 Super Booster could be for you! The 15% ascorbic acid is combined with vitamin E & ferulic acid (like cult-fave SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic) to give you an all-over translucent glow. Vitamin B3 is having a bit of a moment lately, thanks to its ability to help visibly reduce the appearance of large pores and uneven skin tone. The 10% Niacinamide Booster is combined with additional antioxidants to deliver key anti-aging benefits. Winning! For those with blemish-prone skin, the 10% Azelaic Acid Booster is where it’s at. It’s been such a great alternative to the typical salicylic acid products- I really notice a difference! I’m also looking forward to trying out the 1% Retinol Booster post-pregnancy, as this multi-tasker fights advanced signs of aging as well as pesky blemishes! Next on my list is the C25 Super Booster (great for spot treating stubborn discoloration) and the Peptide Booster (with a hydrating amino acid complex). Which are you most curious to try?

 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

fave products // paula's choice skin perfecting BHA liquid

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Throughout my skincare foray into various brands, Paula's Choice is a name that kept popping up again and again. Admittedly, I didn't know much about them, but after hearing the word "cult following" affiliated with this product, I figured I'd better check it out. Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid works kind of like a toner, but one that is also great for sensitive skin, which I love. I hate when products feel like they're burning off your skin, am I right?? Not the case here! This liquid works to give you radiant, even-toned skin by simultaneously reducing redness and building collagen, which smooths fine lines and wrinkles. The 2% BHA (beta hydroxy acid) content helps to unclog and diminish any enlarged pores you may have as well, making this one seriously potent yet totally gentle exfoliant! It's even clinically proven to be non-irritating, and is fragrance free! I like to use this every other night or so (I rotate with my Cane + Austin retexture pads), and apply with a cotton round after cleansing. With this impressive list of benefits, it's easy to imagine Paula's Choice products to be crazy expensive, but the opposite is actually true! I highly recommend trying it out for yourself soon. 

* This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support!