This Is The Best Paula’s Choice Skincare Routine

The first time I met Paula Begoun of Paula’s Choice, I was mesmerized. Assertive, incredibly knowledgeable, and with a no-bullshit attitude, Begoun is an industry veteran who’s been around the block and really knows skincare. 

I met Begoun at a media event for beauty editors about six years ago. Her PR agency booked a lovely hotel room and invited all of us to chat with Begoun about her latest launch in her eponymous skincare line. 

It was around the same time that every skincare brand under the sun was launching some type of sheet mask to their line. I’ll never forget when Begoun told us that she thought sheet masks were incredibly pointless, stupid, and super uncomfortable. She said she would never add an unnecessary sheet mask to her own brand, just because everyone else was doing it. Considering I also hate sheet masks, I loved her stance and respected her opinion that much more. 

Fast forward to years later, and I can’t get enough of Paula’s Choice. It’s the #1 skincare brand I recommend to all my friends. I can always trust that any Paula’s Choice product I use won’t cause irritation or break me out.

Paula’s Choice Skincare Routine for Sensitive and Acne Prone Skin

I love that every Paula’s Choice product has been heavily tested and features ingredients that have been researched in skincare for many, many years. The best part about Paula’s Choice is that all of her products are fragrance-free. If you have a  sensitive skin type and get easily irritated by fragrance, Paula’s Choice skincare is basically a godsend. Additionally, her products never seem to cause any breakouts like other lines I’ve tried in the past. There is a lot of comfort in knowing that a whole line of products won’t irritate your skin. 

Of course, since I work in the beauty industry and get to try out a ton of different brands, I don’t only use Paula’s Choice in my whole skincare routine. However, if I were to use only Paula’s Choice products, I’ve created the perfect skincare routine that I would use below. I will note which products I do currently use regularly.   

Paula’s Choice Skincare Routine: Daytime

Step 1: Paula’s Choice Cleanser – CALM Ultra Gentle Cleanser

The brand sent their updated CALM line to me a few months ago and I am totally obsessed. This cleanser feels like a thick jelly and noticeably hydrates my skin. It doesn’t feel stripping and doesn’t leave your skin feeling dry, either. That being said, I don’t think it does a great job of washing away makeup. I would recommend you use a cleansing balm or makeup remover before using this cleanser to wash your face. 

Because I don’t think it’s a great makeup remover, I would recommend you use this pick in the morning. Some mornings I will rinse my face with just water, but most mornings, I reach for this cleanser and wash away the skincare products still on my face from the night before. 

Available at Amazon ($19)  | Also available at Paula’s Choice 

Step 2: Paula’s Choice Toner – CALM Nourishing Milky Toner

I love this toner so much. It really feels like a thick, gentle milk for the skin. It feels more like an essence than a toner and has a white, milky color. I use this almost everyday and it works wonders in hydrating my dry skin. 

Before discovering this toner, I didn’t really use toners in my skin care routine because I felt like they were pointless or they caused irritation. I can’t say the same for this pick. I love how my skin drinks this up and it’s a great addition to anyone’s skin care routine. Whether you suffer from sensitive skin or not.  

Available at Amazon ($24)  | Also available at Paula’s Choice 

OR

Step 2: Paula’s Choice SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 

So, I don’t use this pick too often because I prefer to hydrate my skin more than exfoliate it. But, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention it in this Paula’s Choice skincare routine lineup. This is Paula’s Choice’s best-selling product and works wonders for those with congested skin. 

Featuring 2% salicylic acid, this exfoliant can be used daily to remove dead skin cells, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, and unclog pores, too. The instructions say that you can use this up to twice per day, but I would use it once per day if you have normal, combination, or oily skin, and once every other day if you use dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin.  

I love this pick because it leaves a nice sheen on your face. And I think it looks pretty great under makeup, too. You can use it either morning or night.    

Available at Sephora ($34)  | Also available at Amazon and Paula’s Choice

Step 3: Paula’s Choice Vitamin C – C15 Super Booster

This is not a product I use regularly, but is one of Paula’s best-sellers and must be included! This superstar product contains 15% pure vitamin C and can be applied directly to your face, or can be added into your moisturizer and applied that way, too. 

If you are someone who deals with visible signs of aging (like fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration, or dullness), the C15 Super Booster is a great addition to your Paula’s Choice skincare routine. The l-ascorbic acid (aka vitamin C) will smooth and brighten your skin, while the antioxidant-rich vitamin E and ferulic acid will protect your face from environmental aggressors. 

Available at Sephora ($55) | Also available at Amazon and Paula’s Choice 

Step 4: Paula’s Choice Niacinamide – CLINICAL Niacinamide 20% Treatment

I feel like niacinamide doesn’t get enough credit in the skincare world. Adding this ingredient into your Paula’s Choice skincare routine will reduce the appearance of enlarged pores. Plus, I love it because it really works to calm irritation, improve blotchy skin, and fade any brown or red marks caused by fading blemishes. 

Available at Sephora ($52) | Also available at Amazon and Paula’s Choice 

Step 5: Paula’s Choice Moisturizer – CALM Rescue & Repair Intensive Moisturizer

Again, this is another winner from the CALM line that I’m in love with. It’s thick, rich, and hydrates without leaving your skin feeling clogged or greasy. It doesn’t irritate my skin at all and does a fantastic job of giving your skin the drink it needs. 

It’s important to note, though, that this moisturizer won’t give you the dewy effect that some other moisturizers on the market will. It soaks into the skin beautifully and hydrates well, but you might want to add an oil or dewy sunscreen on top of it to achieve that effect.

Available at Amazon ($33) | Also available at Paula’s Choice

Step 6: Paula’s Choice Sunscreen – RESIST Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30

This is another pick I haven’t actually tried for myself, but holy crap does it have some amazing, amazing reviews on Amazon! I’m a terrible beauty editor who doesn’t wear sunscreen every day like I should. I opt out of sunscreen when I can because I feel like all of them break me out or irritate my face in some way. 

I don’t think that will be the case with this pick. It has SPF 30 and is a great protection against sun damage. This sunscreen has so many reviews on Amazon and Sephora from folks stating that this product didn’t cause irritation, added sufficient hydration, and worked to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, too. 

It looks great under makeup, is very lightweight, and also comes in a nice tinted formulation. Unfortunately, because this is tinted, it might not look good on those with dark skin tones. 

Available at Sephora ($37) | Also available at Amazon and Paula’s Choice 

Paula’s Choice Skincare Routine: Nighttime

Step 1: Paula’s Choice Cleanser – RESIST Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser

If you wear makeup daily, it’s important to use a cleanser that will effectively remove makeup, dirt, grime, and any other impurities left on the face at the end of the day. This foaming cleanser is a gentle, cream-to-foam cleanser that sets up your skin for an optimal nighttime routine. 

Available at Sephora ($22) | Also available at Amazon and Paula’s Choice 

Step 2: Paula’s Choice Toner – SKIN RECOVERY Enriched Calming Toner

The SKIN RECOVERY line from Paula’s Choice is one of my favorites. I love how hydrating this line is. The calming toner has a milky consistency, similar to the CALM Nourishing Milky Toner. It works to really hydrate and balance your skin barrier. 

Available at Amazon ($23)  | Also available at Paula’s Choice 

Step 3: Paula’s Choice Blemish Treatment – CLEAR Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide

There are two blemish treatments that come in the CLEAR line. There’s the CLEAR Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide and the CLEAR Extra Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 5% Benzoyl Peroxide. I prefer to use the Regular Strength one, as the stronger one is too irritating for my skin.

I usually prefer benzoyl peroxide over salicylic acid to treat my pimples because I just find that it works better for me. Be careful when using this product, though, as it can easily bleach anything you touch. Make sure you wash your hands right after applying to your skin. 

Available at Amazon ($22)  | Also available at Paula’s Choice 

Step 4: Paula’s Choice Eye Cream – RESIST Anti-Aging Eye Cream 

I don’t use a ton of eye creams, but this pick has a lot of great reviews. It’s a balm-like cream that both hydrates your eyes while using effective ingredients to target fine lines and wrinkles. 

Available at Amazon ($37)  | Also available at Paula’s Choice 

Step 5: Paula’s Choice Retinol – CLINICAL 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment

Retinol is the gold standard in dermatology because it basically targets all your skin issues. This pick is on the lower percentage of retinol, as I prefer a more gentle approach. Truthfully, I don’t use a retinol myself. However, you should be changing the skincare in your 30s, and since I’m now 31, I probably should start soon. 

This Paula’s Choice retinol also uses 2% bakuchiol, which is a plant-derived ingredient that works harmoniously with retinol to fight the signs of aging. This formula will help diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, large pores, rough texture, uneven skin tone, and will help hydrate your skin, too.  If you have dry or sensitive skin, I advise that you apply a moisturizer on top of your retinol to avoid any dry patches. 

Available at Amazon ($62)  | Also available at Paula’s Choice 

Step 6: Paula’s Choice Moisturizer – SKIN RECOVERY Replenishing Moisturizer

This is definitely one of my top three favorite products in my own Paula’s Choice skincare routine. I would even dare to say it’s better than some of the best high end beauty products out there. This moisturizer features hyaluronic acid and peptides and feels so luxe and thick. It’s a perfect nighttime moisturizer to seal in everything you’ve applied underneath.   

I also like using this pick during the daytime in the cold, winter months. It does a great job of effectively moisturizing your skin and looks good under makeup, too. 

Available at Amazon ($33)  | Also available at Paula’s Choice 

Before And After Paula’s Choice Skincare

I don’t have any before and after photos to show you of my Paula’s Choice skincare routine journey. But, I will say that this brand has absolutely changed my skin for the better. It’s a line that I really trust won’t irritate my very sensitive skin. Plus, I know that Paula uses really effective, safe ingredients that have been rigorously tested. 

Once you try any of the Paula’s Choice products that I listed above, I know you will become a fan for life. 

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