Read any of the Strategist’s best-in-class skin-care posts and you’re bound to find a Paula’s Choice product (or two). The brand’s cleansers, toners, and serums are effective and relatively affordable but not often on sale — which is why its sitewide Anniversary Sale is noteworthy. Absolutely everything is 20 percent off, and this year, you can also score full-size products for free when you spend a certain amount. Orders over $65 get both the brand’s cult-favorite BHA toner and a Rio-approved cleanser; orders over $115 get the above products and a 15 percent vitamin-C serum; and orders over $150 get the above three products and this moisturizer and a mineral sunscreen. Suffice it to say, if you’re looking to stock up, the time is now.
As with most really good sales, the discounts are fleeting. You have until Friday, May 31, at 11:59 p.m. ET to shop. To help you out, I’ve rounded up all the Paula’s Choice products we’ve written about before on the Strategist. But if you want to peruse all the deals, you can shop the sale here.
If vitamin-C serums irritate your skin, try our top pick for sensitive skin. Strategist beauty writer Tembe Denton-Hurst likes that “there’s an emphasis on antioxidants in this serum, which shows up in ingredients like ferulic acid and vitamin E, which help to address the effects of environmental stressors on the skin while protecting it from further damage.”
Retinol can be harsh for first-time users, so it’s best to start slowly. (For more, read our explainer on retinol’s side effects and our guide to choosing the right retinol for your skin.) This retinol cream is excellent for first-time users as it contains just .03 percent retinol.
In addition to the sitewide sale, select products are just $29 until June 18, including the moisturizer that Kehlani raved about in her Vogue beauty tutorial and that is among beauty columnist Rio’s favorite glycerin products. It’s formulated with a blend of glycerin; omegas 3, 6, and 9; and passion-fruit and guava extracts.
This Strategist-favorite rosacea-soothing azelaic-acid serum can be used on its own or mixed into your moisturizer.
There are two important ingredients in this face scrub, which we named the best less expensive one: jojoba beads and glycerin. Jojoba beads naturally dissolve with gentle massage (read: no micro-tears), while glycerin acts as a moisturizing agent to hydrate and prevent skin from feeling dry and tight after washing.
This hydrating cleanser contains a “cocktail of gold-star ingredients” that remove makeup without drying out the skin, according to Rio.
Rio also likes the brand’s cultish exfoliating toner, which she says helps “diminish preexisting blackheads as well as prevent them from forming in the first place.”
Never forget your daily sunscreen with this two-in-one moisturizer. It provides a hydrating base (thanks to glycerin and shea butter) and has SPF 50.
Dermatologist Dr. Rachel Westbay says this SPF-infused moisturizer “has a creamy texture that melts into skin without leaving it feeling greasy,” and it doesn’t leave behind a white cast.
This leave-on body exfoliant is especially helpful for skin prone to keratosis pilaris, but anyone who’s feeling a little scaly this time of year will appreciate its ability to soften skin and improve tone.
Retinol’s not just for your face. It is also a leading ingredient in most cellulite creams since it can “increase collagen and elastin to tighten the skin and make it look firmer,” according to dermatologist Marnie Nussbaum.
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