What You Need to Know About Paula’s Choice CLEAR Anti-Blemish System: A Truly Unique Way to Treat Breakouts

Why don’t Paula's Choice CLEAR products contain alcohol, coloring agents, essential oils, or fragrance?
Most acne and blemish treatments on the market today include irritants including alcohol, fragrance (both synthetic and natural), or cooling agents such as menthol or peppermint, or citrus irritants such as lemon. Paula did not use any of those ingredients because research shows they make breakouts worse, increase oil production, and make inflamed, blemished skin look redder. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Why is alcohol so bad for my skin?
Research shows alcohol causes free radical damage, hurts the skin’s ability to heal, and kills skin cells. It is a potent irritant on skin and, as is true for all irritating ingredients, it also increases oil production making skin look and feel greasier. Alcohol also causes inflammation making skin look red and become dehydrated. [5, 6, 7, 8, 9]

Why will Paula's Choice CLEAR products work for me?
Paula’s Choice Clear products combine the superior benefits of precisely formulated salicylic acid and anti-bacterial ingredients without skin-damaging irritants. Research about the effectiveness of these ingredients is extensive. The products are effective yet gentle and offer an intelligent, well-documented way of treating blemishes. [11, 12, 13, 14]

How will I know Paula's Choice CLEAR products are working for me?
You will feel the unique difference that Paula's Choice CLEAR products have on your skin almost immediately. Your skin will feel softer, more hydrated, less oily, and redness will be greatly reduced.

What results can I expect from using CLEAR?
The Paula's Choice CLEAR products will greatly improve the appearance of mild to moderate blemishes, and significantly reduce the healing time of the red marks left after blemishes are gone. You will also see a significant reduction in blackheads, perhaps more so than any other skin care routine you’ve used in the past. For severe cases it is advised to add a benzoyl peroxide product to your routine. Products containing benzoyl peroxide may be bought at the pharmacy or chemist without a doctors prescription (due to EU-regulations they cannot be sold as a cosmetic product) [15, 16, 17]

How soon will I see results?
Within only 1 day, most of our testers (who also used a benzoyl peroxide product) saw a reduction in the redness and severity of their existing blemishes and red spots (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation). Results will continue with ongoing use and adherence to your CLEAR daily routine. [18]

How will my skin react to the Paula's Choice CLEAR products?
You can expect our products to leave your skin feeling clean, soothed and looking noticeably clearer. Will Paula's Choice CLEAR help blackheads and clogged pores as well? The Clear system’s salicylic acid products can eliminate blackheads and clogged pores due to its exfoliating action inside the pore lining, where blackheads begin. [19]

Who should use the CLEAR products?
The CLEAR products are ideal for men and women of any age who suffer from occasional breakouts, mild to moderate blemishes and/or blackheads. The products are alcohol free and do not contain needless irritants that only serve to make matters worse.

I have sensitive skin. Can I use the CLEAR products?
The effective yet gentle formulas are good for sensitive skin, and the salicylic acid products are recommended for those struggling with blemishes and rosacea. [20] You should not use these products if you have a known sensitivity or allergy to salicylic acid.

I only have occasional breakouts. How often should I use the CLEAR products?
Just like any other anti-blemish skin-care routine, the CLEAR products require daily compliance for best results. Blemishes can be successfully controlled with a CLEAR routine (supplemented with a benzoyl peroxide product if needed), but only if you’re diligent about using the products as directed. [18]

How should the CLEAR products be used?
Use the Cleanser and Toner twice a day or as recommended by your physician. If you have occasional breakouts, we recommend you start with the regular strength toner. If you do not get the results you expect after 4 weeks of daily use, then switch to the extra strength version. If you have moderate to severe blemishes you may want to start with the extra strength toner and may want to add a benzoyl peroxide product to your routine. Adjust frequency of use and/or product strength based on how your skin responds.

Can I use other products while I’m using the CLEAR products?
All of the Clear products may be used with other Paula’s Choice products such as sunscreens, moisturizers and serums. If you are using a prescription topical product to combat blemishes or acne, please consult your prescribing physician before beginning the CLEAR routine. Your doctor can advise you on how these products should be used with your topical prescription product.

What is the difference between the Regular and Extra Strength Targeted Blemish Relief Toners? They both have 2% salicylic acid. What makes one stronger than the other?
The difference is in the delivery system and what works best for your skin type. While both products contain 2% salicylic acid, the Regular Strength has a nearly weightless feel on your skin and a pH of around 3.9, making it gentler on the skin. The Extra Strength version can penetrate deeper into the pore and has a pH of 3.5 that works better for more stubborn or persistent breakouts. Both toners are highly effective options; you may need to experiment with both to see which works best for your skin type.

How does the CLEAR Extra Strength Targeted Blemish Relief Toner differ from the Paula’s Choice 2% Liquid BHA exfoliant?
The Extra Strength Targeted Blemish Relief Toner is exactly the same as Paula’s Choice best-selling 2% BHA Liquid. They are also the same size and price. The only difference is the packaging. Paula felt that those with blemishes might not realize the benefits her 2% BHA Liquid provides and wanted to add it to her CLEAR line because it is so effective for winning the battle against blemishes.

I already use a Paula’s Choice cleanser. If I want to try the CLEAR products, do I have to use the cleanser in this routine?
You don’t have to but it is recommended. The Clear Normalizing Cleanser contains a unique antibacterial agent that’s designed to begin the process of killing acne-causing bacteria. It is designed to work with the other products in the CLEAR range, but if you prefer your regular Paula’s Choice cleanser, you may continue to use it with other CLEAR products. 

The CLEAR Normalizing Cleanser contains triclosan, an ingredient Paula has mentioned isn’t a good option for acne. Why did she include it?
Paula and her team decided to include triclosan in our CLEAR Normalizing Cleanser due to its potential to begin the process of killing acne-causing bacteria. Recent research indicates that triclosan may play a stronger role than originally thought when it comes to anti-blemish skin care. We have used triclosan in an amount that is effective as a first line of defense against acne-causing bacteria. For an antibacterial powerhouse you need to add a benzoyl peroxide product to your skin care routine.

Why are not all CLEAR products available in the EU?
Due to EU regulations we cannot carry all products (*). The good news is that the star products of the line, with 2% salicylic acid (BHA), are available! These products are adept at eliminating blackheads and clogged pores due to their exfoliating action. Moreover, salicylic acid has natural anti-inflammatory (soothing) and antibacterial properties. This combination makes the CLEAR Toners very effective in the battle against blemishes.

The EU CLEAR line consists of the following products:
Clear Normalizing Cleanser – Pore Clarifying Gel
Clear Targeted Blemish Relief Toner – 2% Salicylic Acid
Clear Extra Strength Targeted Blemish Relief Toner – 2% Salicylic Acid
(*) In the EU products containing benzoyl peroxide may be bought at the pharmacy or the chemist without a doctor's prescription but they cannot be sold as a cosmetic product.

[1] Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, June 2008, pages 124–135
[2] Biochemistry and Pharmacology, June 2007, pages 1786–1795
[3] Contact Dermatitis, June 2006, pages 303–312
[4] British Journal of Dermatology, July 2005, pages 124–131
[5] “Skin Care–From the Inside Out and Outside In,” Tufts Daily, April 1, 2002
[6] eMedicine Journal, May 8, 2002, volume 3, number 5, www.emedicine.com
[7] Cutis, February 2001, pages 25–27
[8] Contact Dermatitis, January 1996, pages 12–16
[9] http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh27-4/277-284.htm)
[10] Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, September–October 2000, pages 292–296
[11] Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, November 1999, pages 710–716
[12] Lancet, December 2004, pages 2188–2195
[13] Seminars in Dermatology, December 1990, pages 305–308
[14] Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, April 2008, pages 955–971
[15] Archives of Dermatologic Research, April 2008, pages Supplemental S31–S38
[16] Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, March 2007, pages 59–65
[17] Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, May 2006, pages 283–289
[18] The British Journal of Dermatology, May 2005, pages 1,015–1,021
[19] Journal of Cosmetic Science, November-December 2004, pages 519–531
[20] Cosmetic Dermatology, July 2008, pages 383–386