Paula’s Choice is a cult-favorite skincare brand that offers a range of effective products, particularly for those who are prone to breakouts. If you have acne-prone skin, we’ve gathered a list of the absolute best Paula’s Choice products for acne.
The Best Paula's Choice Products for Acne
Best Acne-Fighting Cleanser
Best Paula’s Choice Cleanser for Acne
Paula’s Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser
This salicylic acid cleanser removes excess oil and debris without drying out the skin or causing any redness.
This gel cleanser is one of the best Paula’s Choice products for acne because it contains salicylic acid, a chemical exfoliator that sheds excess skin cells and decongests pores to fight acne and blackheads[1].
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Non-drying
Cons
- May irritate sensitive skin
This cleanser has a 0.5% concentration of salicylic acid. The low concentration helps clean the skin without irritating it.
Best Gentle Cleanser for Acne-Prone Skin
Best Gentle Paula’s Choice Cleanser for Acne-Prone Skin
Paula’s Choice Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser
This cream-to-foam cleanser is gentle on the skin, but still effectively removes excess oil and debris. It contains replenishing ingredients that balance moisture levels and leave the skin feeling soft and balanced.
Some people may find the Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser irritating, or may wish to alternate with a more gentle cleanser. This cleanser is formulated to gently cleanse while still maintaining balanced and moisturized skin.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Gentle
- Lightweight
Cons
- May irritate sensitive skin
One of the key ingredients in this cleanser is hyaluronic acid, which helps the skin retain moisture[2]. It also contains ceramides, which work to restore the moisture barrier and strengthen the skin[3]. Additionally, this cleanser contains aloe, which is an excellent ingredient for calming the skin and reducing redness.
Best Mask
Best Paula’s Choice Mask for Acne
Paula’s Choice Clear Purifying Clay Mask
In this mask, the combination of clays, salicylic acid, and soothing ingredients work to absorb excess oil, minimize the appearance of pores, prevent future breakouts, and calm the skin.
This mask is one of the best Paula’s Choice products for acne, because it refines pores and minimizes breakouts without irritating the skin. The addition of soothing ingredients also helps calm and hydrate the skin to diminish redness.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Non-greasy
Cons
- May irritate sensitive skin
The salicylic acid in this mask helps decongest pores to minimize breakouts, while the clays absorb excess oil and refine pores[1]. This mask also contains chamomile, green tea, willowherb, and other soothing ingredients that calm and hydrate.
Best Acne Treatment
Best Paula’s Choice Treatment for Acne
Paula’s Choice Clear Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide
The 2.5% concentration of benzoyl peroxide helps fight current breakouts while preventing new acne from forming.
The key ingredient in this treatment is benzoyl peroxide, which is highly effective at fighting acne. It kills acne-causing bacteria on the skin, and also gets rid of excess oil and pore-clogging dead skin cells[4].
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Lightweight
- Non-greasy
- Oil-free
Cons
- May irritate more sensitive skin
This treatment also includes soothing and hydrating ingredients, including allantoin and bisabolol. These additional ingredients help calm redness and minimize drying from the benzoyl peroxide.
Best Exfoliant for Acne
Best Paula’s Choice Exfoliant for Acne
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
This cult-favorite product is one of the absolute best Paula’s Choice products for acne. It contains salicylic acid, a chemical exfoliator that gently exfoliates dead skin cells and unclogs pores for a clear complexion.
This is a best seller at Paula’s Choice, and for a good reason. Salicylic acid (a beta-hydroxy acid, or BHA) is an excellent chemical exfoliator that sheds excess skin cells and decongests pores to fight acne and blackheads and promote a more even skin tone[1].
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Lightweight
- Non-greasy
Cons
- May irritate more sensitive skin types
This product also contains green tea, which soothes irritation and provides anti-aging benefits.
Best Moisturizer
Best Paula’s Choice Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin
Paula’s Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer
This moisturizer is perfect for those with acne-prone skin, because it is lightweight, non-greasy, oil-free, and doesn’t clog pores or lead to more breakouts.
It can be difficult for those with acne-prone skin to find a suitable moisturizer, but this option delivers hydration without contributing to further breakouts. It also contains ingredients that soothe the skin, helping to eliminate any irritation.
Pros
- Oil-free
- Fragrance-free
- Lightweight
Cons
- No SPF for daytime use
This moisturizer contains niacinamide, which helps to minimize pores, smooth skin, and eliminate redness. It also contains antioxidants that soothe the skin, and ceramides that strengthen the skin’s surface.
Best Moisturizer with SPF
Best Paula’s Choice Moisturizer with SPF for Acne-Prone Skin
Paula’s Choice Clear Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+
This lightweight moisturizer contains SPF that protects the skin from UVA and UVB rays without contributing to breakouts. It also leaves a matte finish to eliminate shine often associated with sunscreens.
This SPF moisturizer is one of the best Paula’s Choice products for acne-prone skin, because it protects the skin but doesn’t feel greasy or clog pores. It also contains antioxidants and hydrators that calm the skin.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Lightweight
- Matte finish
Cons
- Contains chemical sunscreen, which may irritate sensitive skin
This lightweight SPF moisturizer contains antioxidants and replenishing ingredients that calm and hydrate the skin, including vitamin E, grape seed extract, green tea, and oat extract.
FAQ
Is Paula’s Choice good for acne?
Paula’s Choice has a variety of products that are excellent for those with acne-prone skin, including the Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant and the Clear Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide, among many others.
What does Paula’s Choice salicylic acid do?
Salicylic acid (which is found in the Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser, the Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, and the Clear Purifying Clay Mask) is a chemical exfoliator that works by shedding excess skin cells and decongesting pores to fight acne and blackheads.
Is Paula’s Choice worth the money?
While Paula’s Choice isn’t the least expensive skincare brand on the market, it does offer products that are backed by science and research. The products are proven to be effective, especially for those with acne-prone skin.
The Bottom Line
Paula’s Choice has an impressive selection of products for those who deal with breakouts.
Those with acne-prone skin can confidently build out a skincare routine using the best Paula’s Choice products for acne to effectively reduce breakouts and achieve a clear complexion.
