Paula’s Choice Skincare

**Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Paula’s Choice in collaboration with Pretty In My Pocket. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.

This month I am featuring Paula’s Choice Skincare products. I received this package last week and I was really excited to try them out. As a licensed Esthetician, I know about the importance of skincare. As a consumer, I love trying out different products to test out what works really well for me. When I was at school for my Esthetics Program, I bought a book by Paula Begoun called “Don’t go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me”. The book was so helpful and had so much information on skincare and beauty products from drugstore brands to high-end brands. When I was asked to collaborate with Paula’s Choice and Pretty in my Pocket, there was no way I would turn it down. I loved Paula’s book because it was so informative and I haven’t had a chance to try her skincare line before, so this was the perfect opportunity.

I wrote a separate post shortly before this, ‘All about my skin type, to avoid having too much information on this post. Now being in my mid 30’s, I’ve noticed my skin has become less oily and is becoming more dehydrated. Could possibly still be the side effects of Accutane. I don’t have any wrinkles, still have occasional but minimal breakouts, and leftover blemishes, and am starting to have noticeable age spots around the eye area. I’ve always taken care of my skin and have a usual daily routine: cleansing before bed and applying a moisturizer at night and again during the day. Now with the recent skin changes caused by aging, I’m needing to find products that can treat different skin concerns for different parts of my face.

Prior to receiving this package, I was given a FREE personal skincare consultation by an agent from Paula’s Choice. (Details on how to get your skin consultation are below). She probed and asked me questions about my skincare concerns and suggested products for them. I mentioned that I have enlarged pores, occasional breakouts, age spots, dehydration, and old blemishes. I was impressed at how knowledgeable she was and knew exactly which products to recommend. Not a lot of skincare lines actually provide skin consultation before buying their products. We all read labels, instructions, and ingredients when shopping online or at stores, but even then we still get confused as to which one to pick. This is such a great option, and to be honest, makes you feel like this company actually cares.

Here are the products I received:

-Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer

-Clear Ultra-Light Daily Fluid SPF30+ Moisturizer

-Resist BHA 9 Treatment

-Resist Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser

-Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum

-Resist Weightless Advanced Repairing Toner

-Resist Weekly Resurfacing Treatment Exfoliant

-Clear Anti-redness Exfoliating Solution Exfoliant

First, let me talk about the Resist Hydrating Cleanser. This has the consistency of lotion, and removes waterproof and long-lasting makeup well, while still keeping your skin hydrated. I noticed my skin looked really clean, fresh, and smooth to the touch. A lot of cleansers that can remove that much makeup usually leave your skin feeling tight and dry. Surprisingly this did not. After cleansing, I used the Resist Weightless Advanced Repairing Toner to remove leftover traces of makeup and also used this around my neck, chest, and back. My skin looked so refreshed and actually had a nice sheen. This pair works really great together.

So the next 3 exfoliants/toners provided to me are my absolute favorite. I swear by each one of them and they are a must-have. Each one addresses different skin concerns. The Clear Anti-Redness Exfoliation Solution is amazing for those bad breakout days. I had a few pimples and after using this exfoliant one night, they shrunk noticeably the following day. The zit dried up, less inflamed, but still left my skin hydrated. This is a great alternative for on-the-spot gels or lotions. Compared to what I’ve used in the past, like Neutrogena on-the-spot treatment or clean & clear gel, this worked instantly. The other products took longer to see results and some made my skin irritated and worse. Whenever I see a spot surfacing I grab this right away and it honestly makes me feel a lot more confident that my face can be healed instantly. I know what it’s like to suffer from acne. Like most teenagers, I too experienced the downside of hormonal changes. If you’ve tried many products for acne, I highly recommend this. Truly one of my favorites.

The next product is the Resist Weightless Advanced Repairing Toner. A great toner for everyday use, applied after cleansing your skin. Leaves your skin feeling hydrated and extra clean without drying. Great for normal to oily skin. Works well for anti-aging as well as reducing pore size.

The third exfoliant I received is the Resist Weekly Resurfacing Treatment Exfoliant. This toner contains 10% AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) and is suitable for all skin types but works best for dry skin types. It brightens and evens your skin tone all thanks to the glycolic acid ingredient in it. This helps to resurface the top layer of the skin, helping to slough off the dead skin cells. I recommend this for anyone who has dry, flaky, sallow-looking skin that is screaming for some good exfoliation. It’s also a perfect companion for those dry winter months.

Every morning I make a habit to apply moisturizer after washing my face and before leaving my home. The next product is the Clear Ultra-Light Daily fluid SPF30+ Moisturizer. Whether it’s raining, snowing, or sunny, a moisturizer with SPF protection should be a part of your daily skincare routine. Not knowing any better, I didn’t use it often enough growing up. As I start to age, I’m noticing age spots surfacing because I was careless about baking unprotected in the sun. So what I like about this moisturizer is that not only does it moisturize, but it also helps prevent acne breakouts, reduces enlarged pores, and prevents wrinkles. It’s very lightweight when applied and non-sticky. Some SPF moisturizers can either be too thick, too greasy, or comedogenic. I’ve used some that actually made the whiteheads on my nose stick up and stand out. Not pretty at all. Some others make my skin look oily and at the end of the day, my skin gets irritated and then starts to break out. This mattifying fluid didn’t give me any of those problems and I’ve been using it every single day.

Now let’s address my blemishes and age spots. The next 2 products I’m reviewing are Resist BHA 9 Treatment and the Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum. The Vitamin C ingredient in the Antioxidant Concentrate Serum helps to lighten dark spots. The BHA 9 Treatment contains salicylic acid to minimize blackheads, enlarged pores, clear blemishes, and redness from past breakouts. I’ve used each one a couple of times only and so right now it’s too early to see results. Blemishes and age spots will not go away overnight and so I’m hoping with continuous use it works out.

At night, I used the Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Retinol. This moisturizer has antioxidants to help with sun damage and stimulates collagen production which will help improve fine lines and wrinkles. A great moisturizer that left my skin feeling very hydrated and moisturized the following morning. Can also be used on all skin types as it’s non-irritating and non-greasy.

After using all the products above, I am definitely a new fan of Paula’s Choice products. I’ve raved about each product to friends and family and have highly recommended these to them.

Some good-to-know company highlights:

Paulas Choice Information
● They offer a 100% Money Back Guarantee (within 60 days), no animal testing, and no irritating dyes or
fragrances
● Paula’s Choice is committed to customer advocacy, education, and helping people find the best products for
their skin. In fact, everyone can receive a FREE personal skincare consultation by calling this number:
1-800-831-4088
● Their product line includes something for everyone, acne, rosacea, aging, and pores. They treat it all. On their
website, you can choose from a menu of skincare concerns you’d like to treat.
● Their website has a full encyclopedia of advice for every type of skincare concern. Paula Begoun, the
founder, is all about truth in beauty, skincare, ingredients, and proven research. Consider linking to a FULL
ARTICLE on a concern that you are addressing in your routine:
http://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/skincare-advice/

The great thing about Paula’s Choice Skincare is that they also offer ‘trial’ sizes of their products for a cheaper cost. Perfect for people who don’t want to spend too much only to find out that it doesn’t work. We’ve all done that and have ended up throwing products in the garbage or it stays in your cabinet untouched and money wasted. They offer so many options for varying skin types and concerns, I highly recommend trying this out. This is luxury skincare on a budget and it works! I also recommend you check out her book, “Don’t go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me”. There have been several editions, obviously because each year something new comes up. If you like or need to know what ingredients are in your products, pros, and cons, then this is a good book for reference.

As a Power Primper, I am offering 20% off + free shipping with promo code:

PRIMPFALL20 to my readers. Expires: Dec 31, 2015.