9 Paula’s Choice Products Worth Every Single Penny, According To Our Editors

Ask any beauty insider and they’re bound to have at least one Paula's Choice product in their skincare arsenal. Since the brand’s inception 30 years ago, it has earned a solid reputation as a source for science-backed, no-nonsense skincare. Not one for flashy packaging, the brand’s appeal lies within its high-performing formulations that do exactly what they say on the tin. In fact, Paula's Choice was one of the very first brands to pioneer leave-on exfoliants — namely the BHA Liquid Exfoliant, now a staple in many editors’ skincare routines — way back in 2000.

Paula’s Choice also operates the Beautypedia Skincare Ingredient Checker, a comprehensive dictionary explaining the benefits of different compounds found in skincare (names like bakuchiol and omega fatty acids come to mind). As you might expect, it has become an invaluable resource for beauty obsessives and novices alike. It's this commitment to ingredient transparency that keeps the brand in heavy rotation on our bathroom shelves.

With this in mind, our editors share their favourite Paula's Choice products that they’ve finished down to the very last drop.

“When I was dealing with hormonal breakouts a few years ago, a top London dermatologist recommended Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant — and I’ve used it ever since. With 2% salicylic acid, it’s the perfect concentration for sinking into pores and breaking up the mix of oil and dead skin cells that causes congestion. Since incorporating it into my nighttime routine, my skin has become clearer, with no blackheads or pesky whiteheads, and my hyperpigmentation fades much more quickly. It’s so gentle that I feel confident using it every night. My routine is as follows: Cleanse, apply the BHA Liquid Exfoliant and finish with a simple moisturiser. Easy!” — Jacqueline Kilikita, beauty director

“My skin is always craving more hydration in the spring, and this Paula’s Choice Peptide Moisturiser is what I use to keep it bouncy and plump. The formula contains a trio of peptides that send signals to skin cells to produce more collagen and lock in moisture. I’ve noticed my skin looking more awake with continued use, and it has helped reduce the appearance of the fine lines on my forehead. The fast-absorbing texture sits beautifully under makeup and sunscreen, too. I’m nearly done with my bottle since I keep applying pumps of this to other dry patches of my body, such as my elbows and inner thighs.” — Venus Wong, senior writer

“When I discovered this retinol treatment last year, I used it down to the last drop. The 1% retinol packs a punch, resurfacing the skin, smoothing out fine lines, fading hyperpigmentation and keeping breakouts at bay. I was initially wary of the added vitamin C, which usually irritates my skin, and I feared the combination with retinol would be a disaster. But by following the instructions to a T (only using it three evenings a week and pairing it with a simple moisturiser) I was impressed by the results. It completely banished the little bumps under my skin, especially on my forehead. If you’re using this, be sure to wear sunscreen during the day, as retinol can make skin more sensitive to the sun.” — Jacqueline Kilikita, beauty director

“It takes a lot for a sunscreen product to impress me. I’m really fussy about texture: anything deemed too greasy, pills easily or breaks me out goes straight into the bin. This Paula’s Choice sunscreen passed my wear test with flying colours. I sampled it at a department store and liked the milky-fluid texture so much that I immediately added it to my collection. Beyond offering SPF 50 broad spectrum protection, it boasts hydrating glycerin and green tea extract, which helps to calm redness and irritation. It has a lightweight, satiny finish that makes my skin look and feel dewier; I like to pop this over my bare face when I’m running out of time for my usual daytime skincare routine. The texture is so lovely, it makes reapplication feel like much less of a chore.” — Venus Wong, senior writer

“This lip balm has made a big difference to my dry, constantly chapped lips. The non-sticky formula glides on effortlessly, and I love how the slightly curved applicator delivers just the right amount of product. It contains a blend of peptides that hydrate and plump the skin and boost collagen production. The product comes with a subtle sweet scent and feels less heavy and sticky compared to other peptide lip treatments I’ve tried. I often slather on this balm the night before I’m due to wear lipstick, so my lips emerge conditioned and prepped with as little creasing as possible.” — Venus Wong, senior writer

“A quick glance at the reviews is all it takes to see that Paula’s Choice Defense Moisturiser SPF 30 is a winner. It’s lightweight yet offers substantial protection with SPF 30 and antioxidant-rich kiwi, which helps shield the skin from environmental aggressors like pollution. Every time I use it, I get countless compliments on my skin — it looks radiant, subtly dewy and plump. Thanks to ultra-moisturising glycerin and argan oil, I often skip my regular moisturiser and use this instead in the morning. Two finger-lengths of this product are ample to protect and hydrate my skin.” — Jacqueline Kilikita, beauty director

“I have oily, acne-prone skin, and this serum is a go-to of mine whenever I’m feeling congested. You can use it alone as your serum step, but I love cocktailing it into my AM and PM moisturiser to boost it. Niacinamide is one of my favourite ingredients because of its brightening and texture-refining properties, and the feel of this one is so lightweight and luxurious that I genuinely look forward to using it daily.” — Karina Hoshikawa, senior writer

“I was sceptical of the Paula’s Choice SPF 50 Lip Balm at first, thinking it might taste bitter due to its high sun protection (not many lip balms offer SPF 50!). But it turned out to be pretty much tasteless. The solid stick makes it easy to apply on the go, and it feels substantially moisturising for hours on end. That’ll be the deeply nourishing ingredients like shea butter and olive oil. I took this with me on a beach holiday last year, and it was something of a saviour for my chronically chapped lips, which the sun tends to make even worse.” — Jacqueline Kilikita, beauty director

“I’ve had mixed experiences with products containing niacinamide and retinoids; both ingredients can cause breakouts and purging on my skin. But I’m really glad I gave this serum — which contains both ingredients — a try. It has impressed me with its ability to tackle my skin’s discolouration and dullness without causing any reaction. I credit this to the 0.3% retinyl propionate, a form of retinoid that’s gentle on the skin while offering skincare benefits that compare to retinol. The silky-gel texture feels nice and light and doesn’t clog my pores, and I’ve enjoyed using this as a primer to prep my skin before makeup.” — Venus Wong, senior writer