Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel

Bottom line

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel is a gentle chemical exfoliant that smoothes out skin texture with glycolic acid and leaves skin looking more evenly toned. The formula removes dead skin cells, which may help other products to be more effective. It may also help to brighten a dull complexion but isn't likely to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as a retinol cream, such as Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream -- Night (*Est. $13 for 1.4 oz.).

Performance

For a more even-toned complexion: Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel is one of the top rated anti-aging creams at MakeupAlley.com, a website that allows members to rate and review cosmetic and skin care products. Users say the formula is very effective and leaves skin feeling smoother and looking more evenly toned. The alpha hydroxy gel contains eight percent glycolic acid, which chemically exfoliates the skin. Several users say that their skin is better able to retain moisture after using the gel for a period of time. One user explains that her skin was often dry and flaky, even after applying moisturizer. She says that the Paula's Choice gel's exfoliant got rid of the flakes and helped her moisturizer to be more effective. Paula Begoun, skin care expert and author of "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me," also gives the wrinkle cream good reviews, but that's no surprise since it is part of her skin care line.

Feel and smell

Tingles with initial use: Users say the AHA Gel is lightweight but slightly sticky when first applied. A few say that it stings a bit with the first couple of uses, but the tingling sensation goes away as skin adjusts to it. Some users complain of irritation, but most of these complaints are caused by overuse. Reviewers suggest starting off slowly and using the formula every other day for the first few weeks. Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel is fragrance-free.