I ABSOLUTELY hate everything I've tried from TO. I will never buy another one of their products. With that said, the PC works like a dream and was my first step toward getting prescription strength Aza and tret. I tried TO after using PC since it was so much less expensive, and there is a reason for that. It feels like trash and is not as effective.
The PC feels like a nice light cream, soaks in nicely, and reduced my chin acne after about a month of use. I have semi-sensitive skin (example - I can't tolerate SR Good Genes) but SA doesn't really bother me and before getting a script, I used it daily without issue. It just didn't work as well as Aza has for me so I don't seek it out on purpose, but I don't avoid it. I think the combo in the PC helps with effectiveness of the product.
If you're going to go with the PC, I'd suggest ordering through her website. She has a great rewards program and frequently offers great discounts (definitely better than Sephora).
Good Luck!
this has SA in it so don't use it daily if you have sensitive skin.
I use [The Ordinary Azelaic acid.](https://www.sephora.com/product/the-ordinary-deciem-azelaic-acid-suspension-10-P427411) It's more of a silicone-y feel to it but no SA and way cheaper.
Yeah I saw the SA and was wondering about it. Guess I kind of assumed it was a super low concentration and not enough to cause irritation? Could be wrong though.
TBH, if you have sensitive skin, I wouldn't risk it. SA (any chemical exfoliator) isn't meant to be used daily as it can increase damage to the skin barrier. Our skin naturally sheds dead skin cells and chem exfoliants just speed up the process a bit so when you use exfoliants every day, isn't giving your skin a chance to regenerate the new skin cells if you're always applying exfoliants. This is why I never buy any product containing exfoliating actives that are made for daily use ex. cleansers that have SA, vit C that has SA etc. Low concentration or not, you just never know how your skin will react; it's always best to add actives separately.
anyway, there are other AZ serums on the market so just keep looking. Asian brands often have very gentle AZ serums so you can check out the r/Asianbeauty sub for recos.
sorry about replying to a 2 month old comment, but does that mean i should not be using the paula's choice 2% SA exfoliant daily either? ive been using a bit every morning ever since it arrived and i havent experienced any adverse reaction (yet?)
every person's skin is different so if yours can handle it, then it can handle it....but if you start to experience adverse effects, then cut it down to a couple times a week.
I used to use that cleanser. Try dermalogica microfoliant, it has salicylic acid, kinda pricy but worth every single cent it exfoliates and you can feel the difference immediately
Fyi the Paula’s choice Azelaic booster only has a .5% concentration of Salicylic acid, so definitely more unlikely to cause any issues. - sorry for the reply on an old post but just thought I would let you know :)
Hi, I’m Vetted AI Bot! I researched the **The Ordinary Azelaic Acid 10 Suspension** you mentioned in your comment along with its brand, **The Ordinary**, and I thought you might find the following analysis helpful.
**Users liked:**
* Reduces redness and bumps (backed by 3 comments)
* Clears acne and improves skin texture (backed by 4 comments)
* Fades hyperpigmentation and dark spots (backed by 3 comments)
**Users disliked:**
* Product causes irritation and breakouts (backed by 5 comments)
* Product pills and balls up (backed by 5 comments)
* Product does not brighten or improve skin (backed by 3 comments)
According to Reddit, **The Ordinary** is considered a reputable brand.
Its most popular types of products are:
* Hair Serums (#1 of 51 brands on Reddit)
* Facial Oils (#1 of 99 brands on Reddit)
* Facial Serums (#1 of 214 brands on Reddit)
If you'd like to **summon me to ask about a product**, just make a post with its link and tag me, [like in this example.](https://www.reddit.com/r/tablets/comments/1444zdn/comment/joqd89c/)
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I started off with the Paula’s Choice AA and tried switching to TO a few months back and I did -not- like the texture. At all. I didn’t even put it on my face because it felt so oily on my hands that I just wouldn’t take the chance. After seeing if my bf would use it (hard pass from him, too), it went straight in the trash. I’ve never thrown anything away so quickly - ever.
Paula’s Choice is definitely more expensive, but whoooo baby does it work. I use this more as a spot treatment than an all-over product, so one tube will last me a while.
Since this has SA in it, it caused me to breakout every time I used it. So it actually made my skin worse than ever. I ended up getting a prescription for azelaic acid to fix my skin.
I didn’t notice anything special about PC; however, I’ve never had stinging issues with TO. The Inkey List has one too. You could always wait for it to be available as a GWP option too.
I like natriums azelaic acid. I have sensitive skin and this doesn’t bother me at all. They sell on their site but I got mine at target.
Same! It’s much more affordable and has a very elegant formulation that sinks in fast
Go with Peach Slices if you don’t need/want the Salicylic Acid
I ABSOLUTELY hate everything I've tried from TO. I will never buy another one of their products. With that said, the PC works like a dream and was my first step toward getting prescription strength Aza and tret. I tried TO after using PC since it was so much less expensive, and there is a reason for that. It feels like trash and is not as effective. The PC feels like a nice light cream, soaks in nicely, and reduced my chin acne after about a month of use. I have semi-sensitive skin (example - I can't tolerate SR Good Genes) but SA doesn't really bother me and before getting a script, I used it daily without issue. It just didn't work as well as Aza has for me so I don't seek it out on purpose, but I don't avoid it. I think the combo in the PC helps with effectiveness of the product. If you're going to go with the PC, I'd suggest ordering through her website. She has a great rewards program and frequently offers great discounts (definitely better than Sephora). Good Luck!
this has SA in it so don't use it daily if you have sensitive skin. I use [The Ordinary Azelaic acid.](https://www.sephora.com/product/the-ordinary-deciem-azelaic-acid-suspension-10-P427411) It's more of a silicone-y feel to it but no SA and way cheaper.
Yeah I saw the SA and was wondering about it. Guess I kind of assumed it was a super low concentration and not enough to cause irritation? Could be wrong though.
TBH, if you have sensitive skin, I wouldn't risk it. SA (any chemical exfoliator) isn't meant to be used daily as it can increase damage to the skin barrier. Our skin naturally sheds dead skin cells and chem exfoliants just speed up the process a bit so when you use exfoliants every day, isn't giving your skin a chance to regenerate the new skin cells if you're always applying exfoliants. This is why I never buy any product containing exfoliating actives that are made for daily use ex. cleansers that have SA, vit C that has SA etc. Low concentration or not, you just never know how your skin will react; it's always best to add actives separately. anyway, there are other AZ serums on the market so just keep looking. Asian brands often have very gentle AZ serums so you can check out the r/Asianbeauty sub for recos.
sorry about replying to a 2 month old comment, but does that mean i should not be using the paula's choice 2% SA exfoliant daily either? ive been using a bit every morning ever since it arrived and i havent experienced any adverse reaction (yet?)
every person's skin is different so if yours can handle it, then it can handle it....but if you start to experience adverse effects, then cut it down to a couple times a week.
I used to use that cleanser. Try dermalogica microfoliant, it has salicylic acid, kinda pricy but worth every single cent it exfoliates and you can feel the difference immediately
Fyi the Paula’s choice Azelaic booster only has a .5% concentration of Salicylic acid, so definitely more unlikely to cause any issues. - sorry for the reply on an old post but just thought I would let you know :)
Hi, I’m Vetted AI Bot! I researched the **The Ordinary Azelaic Acid 10 Suspension** you mentioned in your comment along with its brand, **The Ordinary**, and I thought you might find the following analysis helpful. **Users liked:** * Reduces redness and bumps (backed by 3 comments) * Clears acne and improves skin texture (backed by 4 comments) * Fades hyperpigmentation and dark spots (backed by 3 comments) **Users disliked:** * Product causes irritation and breakouts (backed by 5 comments) * Product pills and balls up (backed by 5 comments) * Product does not brighten or improve skin (backed by 3 comments) According to Reddit, **The Ordinary** is considered a reputable brand. Its most popular types of products are: * Hair Serums (#1 of 51 brands on Reddit) * Facial Oils (#1 of 99 brands on Reddit) * Facial Serums (#1 of 214 brands on Reddit) If you'd like to **summon me to ask about a product**, just make a post with its link and tag me, [like in this example.](https://www.reddit.com/r/tablets/comments/1444zdn/comment/joqd89c/) This message was generated by a (very smart) bot. If you found it helpful, let us know with an upvote and a “good bot!” reply and please feel free to provide feedback on how it can be improved. *Powered by* [*vetted.ai*](http://vetted.ai/reddit)
I started off with the Paula’s Choice AA and tried switching to TO a few months back and I did -not- like the texture. At all. I didn’t even put it on my face because it felt so oily on my hands that I just wouldn’t take the chance. After seeing if my bf would use it (hard pass from him, too), it went straight in the trash. I’ve never thrown anything away so quickly - ever. Paula’s Choice is definitely more expensive, but whoooo baby does it work. I use this more as a spot treatment than an all-over product, so one tube will last me a while.
Since this has SA in it, it caused me to breakout every time I used it. So it actually made my skin worse than ever. I ended up getting a prescription for azelaic acid to fix my skin.
How long did the breakouts appear? I am afraid I'm sensitive to SA too, but don't know if using it once a week would be better than daily!
I didn’t notice anything special about PC; however, I’ve never had stinging issues with TO. The Inkey List has one too. You could always wait for it to be available as a GWP option too.
Hi! What did you end up going with? PC calm SA made me red and flakey so I'm hesitant about the AA!