Paula, I'm not sure exactly what kind of sorcery you've packed inside this bottle, but I like it. (Amazon)
Of all the unwelcome surprises that come with aging skin, enlarged pores remain (for me at least) the most unexpected and despised. No one told me that, thanks to the rapid decline of collagen that occurs post-menopause, I'd one day experience a kaleidoscope of round, pock-mark-like divots around my nose. Nor did I imagine that, after a lifetime of relatively acne-free skin, I'd suddenly develop the nasal blackheads of a greasy-faced teen at age 51.
But life likes to laugh at us middle-aged folks, and this is what it is to live with "mature" skin. As a longtime beauty editor, I've tried just about every pore-minimizing, blackhead-eradicating treatment you can find. I'm here to tell you: Nothing clears up these pesky sebum-filled menaces quite like Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting Exfoliate — and it's currently a rare 20% off for Memorial Day.
Pores looking a little ... cavernous? This unassuming bottle with over 36,000 five-star fans will help.
Anyone versed in the basics of skin care knows that exfoliating — literally removing dead skin cells with a scrub or chemical exfoliant — is an essential step to maintaining a healthy complexion at any age. Paula's Choice is a chemical exfoliator that uses an ingredient called beta hydroxy acid (BHA) to penetrate, adhere to and clear out dead skin cells, dirt and grease. It even goes a few steps further by substantially softening skin, evening rough texture and leaving behind a fresh, dewy glow.
This mighty exfoliating serum launched in 1995, and I'm far from its only fan. In 30 years, it's become a go-to for aestheticians and skin-care influencers who praise its complexion-clearing merits. Today, it's an Amazon top-seller with tens of thousands of five-star reviews.
"Buy it!" advised one happy customer. "This product exfoliates without being rough on your skin. It's helped clear out the blackheads on my nose. Also, a little goes a long way."
"Wow," said another. "I purchased this after an esthetician influencer on Instagram recommended it. After one month, my skin now looks and feels brand new, like very supple, glowing, smoother and with much smaller pores. I feel like this is a new holy grail skin-care item."
"The best skin care product I've used," raved a third shopper. "Love this product so much. I've been using it religiously over the past few years and I have noticed a drastic difference with my skin's texture. I like it so much that I got this for both my teenagers to start using. I always get the smaller bottle and it lasts me a few months. You don't have to use very much of the product as it is very liquidy."
The serum's consistency may be one of the biggest pain points. "It feels a little heavy and sticky for my skin," said one buyer. "The feeling is just off-putting a little bit." Agreed another: "It can feel oily initially after you put it on, but if you applied the correct amount, then the feeling should go away after a few minutes."
A handful of other reviewers took issue with the amount of product you get for your money, but it's worth noting that I've had the same $14 travel bottle for three months — and still have an ample amount left. A little really does go a long way.
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The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.