What to Buy From Paula’s Choice: An AM and PM Routine for Every Skin Type
If you've had Paula's Choice skincare on your list for a while… we don't blame you. After all, Paula Begoun has written 21 books, formulated over 200 products and has been given the nickname 'The Cosmetics Cop' by no other that Oprah— so it's pretty safe to say that she knows her stuff.
Thing is, if you're not fully clued up on the ingredient side of things, it can be hard as a consumer to figure out which products you really need — and which you can actually just skip.
You might have a mate that swears by Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliate (who we kidding, everyone has a friend who loves that serum) but is it actually right for your skin?
Well that's where we come in. We've broken down the whole Paula's Choice range by skin type — to offer you an easy-to-follow, no-frills skincare routine. Your skin will thank us later, so let's dive in…
Paula's Choice routine for: Acne
‘Acne is one of the concerns that started me on my skin care journey. It was my personal quest to solve my skin problems that triggered my love of research and discovering what worked and didn’t work for skin’ explains Paula. To get acne under control check out the below daily skincare guide.
A.M. Routine
1/ Cleanse
This soap-free gentle cleanser removes daily dirt and pollution without stripping or irritating skin. Soap free is important because the soap can raise skin’s pH, triggering an uptick in acne-causing bacteria. It can also drying and irritating which always makes acne worse.
2/ Spot treatment
This hero treatment contains 10% azelaic acid to fight acne-causing bacteria, reduce redness, improve skin tone, and fade post-acne marks.
3/ Moisturise
This oil-free night cream moisturises acne-prone skin without clogging pores or making breakouts worse. Antioxidants, sourced from pumpkin and blueberry reduce redness, while ceramides strengthen the skin's barrier, helping to ward off damage.
P.M Routine
1/ Cleanse
For your evening routine, you can use the same CLEAR Cleanser that you use in the morning.
2/ Spot Treatment & Moisturise
Packed with 2% salicylic acid, the famed BHA acid that works to unclog pores, reduce redness, and eliminate rough, bumpy texture. Simply douse onto a cotton pad and sweep over skin. The silky formula doesn’t leave skin feeling tight either. Follow with the CLEAR Oil Free Moisturiser from your AM routine.
Paula's Choice routine for: Sensitive skin
'One of the main aspects of skincare I learned early on was that to one degree or another, everyone has sensitive skin. That’s why every product I’ve formulated contains no irritating ingredients such as essential oils, fragrance, alcohol, sensitising plant extracts, witch hazel, menthol, peppermint etc.
'Although all my products are suitable for sensitive skin, those who struggle with rosacea and redness may require even more specialised formulas with extra soothing and anti-inflammation ingredients,' reveals Paula.
A.M Routine
1/ Cleanse
This ultra-gentle gel formula softens and protects skin’s delicate barrier. It's hero ingredient is allolin, which occurs naturally in the body. A by-product of uric acid, it's a brilliant skin softener that also soothes irritated skin. Skin doesn't feel stripped yet you're left with a clean canvas.
2/ Moisturise
This rich cream loaded with skin-soothing and hydrating plant oils as well as antioxidants that when combined calm dry, ultra-sensitive and reddened skin. The silky, cream formula minimises the appearance of wrinkles and leaves skin hydrated, smooth and radiant. Think of it as a chill pill for skin.
3/ Treat
Sensitive skin the result of a compromised skin barrier so you need a treatment that helps to beef up its defences. Enter this fluid gel that's loaded with barrier-strengthening ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and extra-gentle plant extracts proven to reduce inflammation.
P.M. Routine
1/ Cleanse
Use the same cleanser in you AM routine.
2/ Tone
Brimming with beta-glucan, an ingredient famed for dialling down redness, it also has antioxidant properties that help to sooth. Simply douse on cotton pad and sweep over skin
3/ Treat
Start by using Calm 1% BHA Exfoliator. A mild acid, its strong enough to shift dead skin cells but gentle enough not to irritate skin thanks to green tea extract. Follow with the Repairing Serum you applied in the AM as this should be used twice daily.
Paula's Choice routine for: fine lines
'Fine lines are typically the first sign of ageing that people notice, usually appearing around the eyes, sides of the mouth and across the forehead. There are two types of products that can immediately address these concerns: a leave-on gentle exfoliant with either AHA (glycolic or lactic acid) or BHA (salicylic acid) and an SPF50,' reveals Paula.
A.M. routine
1/ Cleanse, Tone & Treat
After using a cleanser and toner it's important to use products loaded with antioxidants to protect skin from pollution and that also contain skin repairing ingredients such niacinamide, ceramides, and omega fatty acids to name a few,' adds Paula.
2/ Protect
The daily daily use of a sunscreen will prevent fine lines from getting worse. This multi-tasking moisturiser contains SPF 50 to protect skin, while shea butter leaves skin soft and hydrated. It's also loaded with tone-improving ingredients like niacinamide and liquorice for more even-toned and younger-looking skin.
P.M routine
1/ Cleanse
Use the same cleanser in your morning routine. Or if you wear a lot of make-up you can opt for a heavy duty one to rid skin of cosmetics.
2/ Exfoliate
Apply your leave on exfoliant as this will smooth, soften, and hydrate skin overnight.
3/ Treat
Follow with a follow the Resist Eye Cream as it has a balm-cream texture formulated to smooth fine lines and provide long-lasting moisture. Finish with the Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Retinol.
Paula's Choice routine for: Dry skin
'Dry skin is generally due to a compromised barrier that is rough and flaky because skin can’t produce the substances it needs to maintain normal levels of hydration. Vital barrier repairing ingredients such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid, omega fatty acids, and glycerin are a must and can be found in my Skin Recovery line to replenish and restore the elements dry skin needs to turn itself around' says Paula.
A.M. routine
1/ Cleanse
Feeding skin with moisture is essential in every step of your routine as this cleanser is the perfect place to start as its loaded with soy bean oil
2/ Treat
Follow with the RECOVERY Skin Soothing Toner that instantly enriches skin with plant-derived fatty acids, lecithin, niacinamide, and vitamin E to strengthen and protect. Next, layer on the RECOVERY Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum. It's an oil-enriched formula that contains wrinkle-fighting retinol and numerous natural antioxidants known to repair skin.
3/ Protect and moisturise
This mineral sunscreen also contain barrier-replenishing hydrators and soothing antioxidants to moisturise. Make sure its the last thing you apply in you routine.
P.M routine
1/ Cleanse & Tone
Use the same cleanser and toner from your AM routine.
2 / Treat
At night opt for this oil-enriched formula that contains wrinkle-fighting retinol and numerous natural antioxidants known to repair skin.
3/ Moisturise
Apply the same moisturiser you used in the morning.
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