BREAKING OUT ON BHA? WHY YOU SHOULDN'T DITCH YOUR EXFOLIANT JUST YET
You finally caved and bought the cult exfoliant everyone raves about. You swipe it on faithfully for a week, then wake up to a fresh crop of spots and think, right, that's going straight in the bin.
Sound familiar? You're far from alone. When you're trying to clear congested skin, patience is often the hardest part of any skincare routine, and plenty of us give up on BHA before it has had a fair go.
Paula's Choice says its 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is a prime example of a product that can be misunderstood in those early weeks. So before you move on to the next shiny bottle, it's worth getting your head around how BHA actually works and why results can take a little time.
What is BHA and how does it work?
BHA stands for beta hydroxy acid, and the one you'll spot most often on skincare labels is salicylic acid. Unlike gritty scrubs that simply buff the surface, a BHA exfoliant is oil soluble, so it can work inside the pore to help loosen the build-up of oil and dead skin that leads to blackheads and breakouts.
The award-winning Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant uses salicylic acid to help unclog pores, reduce blackheads and smooth bumpy texture. It's a leave-on step, so there's no rinsing, and it slots into your existing routine without a complete overhaul.
Why your skin can look worse before it looks better
Here's the bit that catches people out. As BHA gets to work clearing congestion, some people experience a temporary increase in blemishes, known as purging.
It's easy to see a few extra spots and assume the product is the enemy, but ditching your exfoliant too soon could mean missing out on the longer-term benefits of clearer pores and smoother skin.
Purging or reaction? How to tell the difference
That said, Paula's Choice is clear that not every new breakout means you should grit your teeth and push through. The key is understanding the difference between purging and a genuine reaction.
As a general rule of thumb, purging tends to show up in the areas where you usually break out and settles as your skin adjusts. A reaction looks and feels different: think stinging, burning, itching, redness or a rash, or spots popping up in places you don't normally get them.
If your skin is telling you it's unhappy, stop using the product and check in with your GP, pharmacist or a dermatologist.
How to get the best results from your BHA exfoliant
Consistency is everything. Paula's Choice says the 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant works best used consistently, as directed and as tolerated, to help keep pores clear for smoother, clearer looking skin.
Read the directions on the bottle, listen to your skin and give it time, rather than chopping and changing products every few days. And because you're exfoliating, finish every morning with a broad-spectrum SPF. Under the Aussie sun, that's non-negotiable anyway.
When to reassess your skincare routine
If you've been using your BHA consistently and your skin feels calm but simply isn't improving, or if irritation is hanging around, it's time to pause and reassess. A chat with a skin professional can help you work out whether BHA is right for you, or whether your routine needs a tweak.
But if what you're seeing is a few familiar spots while your skin adjusts, it might be worth holding your nerve a little longer. Your clearest skin yet could be just around the corner.
The Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant (RRP $54) is available at paulaschoice.com.au.
