A Review of Paula’s Choice Clear Skincare: Three Formulas To Choose From

Paula’s Choice is a skincare line that was started by Paula Begoun. According to their website, Paula’s Choice Skincare was created with both a commitment to customer advocacy and education in mind. They also state that both of these aspects remain core elements in their product development and philosophy today.

Paula Begoun is not only a globally-recognized expert in the skincare and cosmetics industry, but she is also a radio host and an internationally known author with 18 titles to her name.

Paula Begoun is most known for her critiques of other skincare lines and products that are currently on the market. Her website, Beautypedia, reviews and critiques beauty products from many favorite skincare lines and even compares them to the Paula’s Choice brand products. They claim that their reviews are based on published scientific research and not their personal thoughts after using the products.

“No one needs to use a product to find out that it’s bad for their skin, the same way you don’t need to smoke a cigarette to find out that it’s bad for you. The research is there to inform us, and when it comes to skincare, it’s the research that matters most.”

While some consumers believe Beautypedia is biased towards the Paula’s Choice brand, Paula and her team say they are committed to the highest standards of “fact, excellence, and honesty.”

Paula’s Choice Clear for Acne

Paula’s Choice Clear for Acne is a three-step routine that helps to get mild to moderate acne under control without causing dryness, flaking, redness or discomfort. The kit includes the following products:

The lightweight formulas are said to be both gentle and tough on breakouts. These three products work together to provide pore-clearing and hydrating benefits, and when used daily, it successfully maintains the user’s results.

When used together, all three products work together to lessen excess oil, unclog and shrink enlarged pores, dislodge blackheads and help to control mild to moderate acne breakouts.

What’s in Paula’s Choice Clear for Acne?

The Paula’s Choice Clear for Acne kit comes with three different products. Listed below are each of the products, what they do for the skin and what ingredients are in them.

​How Does Paula’s Choice Clear Stand Up to Its Competitors?

​Where Does Paula’s Choice Clear Stand Price-Wise?

This three-piece system is priced at $46.00, around $20.00 more than the products mentioned above.

One noticeable difference is the amount of product users get with each product. Just take a look for yourself.

Paula’s Choice Clear for Acne provides more product to customers, so the fact that the price is higher really isn’t surprising. So, for $46.00, users are getting more for their money, and Paula’s Choice does offer a 60-day money back guarantee. This allows users to receive either a full refund or a credit for products returned within 60 days of purchase.

What Are Consumers Saying About Paula’s Choice Clear?

Based on what reviewers have said on the Paula’s Choice website, users have rated this three-piece product at a 4.3 out of 5 stars. This puts Paula’s Choice Clear for Acne above Proactiv, Neutrogena, and Clinique.

So, what is it that makes Paula’s Choice better then it’s competition? Below, we have compiled both a pro and con list based on what users have had to say about the product. Because, let’s be honest, as a consumer, you want to know what other consumers had to say.

Pros and Cons 

For many users, this three-step system was a total hit. They found that this system was not only easy to use but that it treated some of their worst acne while also helping to reduce the look of old acne scars. Even during their acne-prone hormonal cycles, many women saw a drastic change after using the product for a few months.

One major aspect that consumers enjoyed was the fact that the cleanser left their skin soft and smooth, even those who suffer from oily and even sensitive skin. The fact that this product is so gentle has many users through the roof.

With every product, there is a good side and a bad side. Moreover, for every good review, there is almost always a negative review. That being said, those that tried the product and disliked it all seemed to agree that the system was either ineffective, or it dried the skin out.

One issue that some consumers ran into was the product irritating their skin so much that it actually burned their faces. Some experienced drying that was severe enough to cause not only redness but also peeling of the skin in areas that they used the product.

​Is Paula’s Choice Clear a Clear Winner?

Is Paula’s Choice Clear the clear winner when it comes to acne systems? Based on customer reviews it seems as if Paula’s Choice Clear for Acne is a top contender.

Yes, it does cost more than many three-piece systems currently on the market, but it also does what consumers expect it to do.

Consumers also get the advantage of getting more product to use. When it comes to oz in a product, especially a cleanser, a little can go a long way. So by offering more product plus a money back guarantee, Paula’s Choice is allowing their consumers to really get to use the product with less stress of “wasting” their money.

Will every facial cleaning system work for everyone? No. While most products, including Clear for Acne, state that their product can work for any skin type, everyone has variations that prevent them from being able to use certain products. Just because it says for sensitive skin, it doesn’t mean it is ideal for severely sensitive skin. Users should always remember to test the product on the skin in a small patch before applying to their entire face to avoid any major negative side effects.

With that being said, what do we think of Paula’s Choice Clear for Acne? Overall, this product scores a 4.3 out of 5 stars. Why? Because it provides users with more product for their money, the fact that consumers ranked it higher than many top acne systems currently on the market, and because Paula’s Choice allows consumers a 60-day money back guarantee.