PC4Men Soothe + Smooth Treatment 2% BHA (Salicylic Acid)

$44.00

What It Does:

Removes old skin cells on the skin’s surface & inside the pore
Unclogs & Shrink Enlarged Pores
Reshapes Pore Lining
Improve Skin Cell Turnover Rate
Soothes redness & softens skin
Increases Collagen Production

Who This Product Is For

PC4MEN Soothe + Smooth is recommended for any man who wants smooth, bump-free skin, an even skin tone, and to look good and younger. This is both an exfoliant and aftershave.

▼How It Compares

This water-light fluid calms redness, doesn’t sting even a little, softens skin, vanquishes redness, and minimizes signs of aging.
Additionally, BHA has antibacterial properties that attack blemish-causing bacteria. That makes it a good complement to any benzoyl-peroxide based acne treatment.
2% is commonly the right strength, unless you have sensitive skin.
This exfoliant is less acidic than the Skin Perfecting 2% BHA liquid, and is slightly runnier in texture.

◄Alternatives

Strength

1% Calm BHA Exfoliant offers similar benefits for a more sensitive friendly dose.
4% BHA Exfoliant offers a stronger dose in a foaming liquid texture.

Texture

The Skin Perfecting Range offers a Gel (Oily skin), Liquid(Combination and Normal) or Lotion (Dry Skin) variant.
Skin Perfecting 2% BHA is also a liquid, which is slightly less runny.

Ingredient

The Soothe & Smooth is formulated with a richer blend of antioxidants than the Skin Perfecting 2% BHA range.
This exfoliant has a pH range of 3.5-4.0, which is less acidic than the Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid.
This exfoliant has the exact same formulation as the RESIST 2% BHA Pore Refining Treatment.

Collections: Clogged Pores, Face - Exfoliator, Mother's Day Special, PC4Men Skincare

Key Ingredients

palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, dipotassium glycyrrhizate, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, oleanolic acid, trehalose, salicylic acid, panthenol, allantoin, sodium hyaluronate, palmitoyl oligopeptide, glycerin

Quick Information
Product Ingredients
Research
How To Use
FAQs

Function

Exfoliant

Texture

Liquid

Skin Types

All

Sensitive-Friendly

Yes

Pregnancy-Friendly

No

Skincare Routine

After Toner, Before Serum

Allergy Information

Aspirin
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol (slip agents and penetration enhancers), Salicylic Acid (beta hydroxy acid exfoliating agent), Butylene Glycol (slip agent), Polysorbate 20 (emulsifier) Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (anti-aging cell-communicating ingredients), Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate (anti-irritant), Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid (antioxidant), Oleanolic Acid (anti-irritant), Sodium Hyaluronate (skin-repairing ingredient), Allantoin (anti-irritant),Trehalose (skin-repairing ingredient), Panthenol (skin-conditioning agent), Glycerin (skin-repairing ingredient), PEG-60 Almond Glycerides (emulsifier), Caprylyl Glycol (skin-conditioning agent), PEG/PPG-18/4 Copolymer (solvent), Methyl Gluceth-20, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane (skin-conditioning agents),Glycereth-26 (emollient thickener), Sodium Metabisulfite (stabilizer), Sodium Hydroxide (pH adjuster), Carbomer (gel-based thickener), Disodium EDTA (chelating agent)
STUDIES USED TO HELP FORMULATE THIS PRODUCT:
Phytotherapy Research, August 2015, volume 29, issue 8, pages 1117-22 Evidence Based Complementary Alternative Medicine, 2013, volume 2013, article 827248 International Journal of Cosmetic Science, February 2000, issue 1, pages 21-52 Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2013, volume 2013, article 375893 Plastic Surgical Nursing, April-June 2012, issue 2, pages 71-72 Journal of Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015, volume 8, pages 455-461 Dermato-Endocrinology, July 2012, issue 3, pages 253-258
Use twice daily after cleansing or shaving. It can also be used on days you don’t shave. For daytime, follow with PC4MEN Daytime Protect SPF 30. At night, follow with PC4MEN Nighttime Repair. Detailed instructions on how/when to apply your PC4Men products can be found in our Men's Skincare article.
Is this just a fancy after-shave? I don’t think I need that…do I?
You can think of this as an after-shave, but we’d rather you didn’t! That’s because PC4Men Soothe + Smooth is so much more! Yes, it soothes skin and reduces redness right after shaving, but it also helps fight breakouts, signs of aging, and significantly improves skin texture—something no other post-shave product can do! Soothe + Smooth is for any man who wants smooth, clear skin and is concerned with preventing signs of aging and breakouts. It’s formulated for all skin types.
Do I need this if I rarely shave or use an electric razor just to keep my beard trimmed?
You can still benefit tremendously from daily use of PC4Men Soothe + Smooth. It should be applied all over your face and neck, morning and night, to keep your skin clear, smooth, and younger-looking. Soothe + Smooth also works great for facial redness, whether from shaving or other issues like acne or rosacea. After using it for a few days you will see the results in the mirror!
Why do I need to follow with sunscreen during the day? Is it really that important?
You may not be used to applying sunscreen on a daily basis, but if you’re interested in keeping your skin smooth, healthy, and avoiding wrinkles and a leathery, mottled texture, daily SPF is a must. We know men don’t want a daytime product that they can feel on their face, which is why PC4Men Daytime Protect SPF 30 practically disappears on skin. You won’t know it’s there, but you’ll see the difference today and years from now.

Also, because PC4Men Soothe + Smooth exfoliates skin, it’s important to keep this new, healthier skin protected from UV damage. Think of it like staining your deck to protect the wood, it’s far better to prevent and stop damage than to deal with deteriorating wood later.
How is PC4Men Soothe + Smooth different from the other Paula’s Choice facial exfoliants?
Our PC4Men Soothe + Smooth is actually identical to our Resist Daily Pore-Refining Treatment 2% BHA but packaged to be part of the PC4Men line. We chose to use this formula for the guys because of its anti-irritants and skin-repairing ingredients that work together to calm redness as they soothe and refine skin. Simply put, it’s a great formula to use on freshly shaved skin. This product is also completely weightless and is specially formulated to be non-drying.
What if there isn’t a product for my needs in PC4MEN?
No problem! Chances are, there’s a Paula’s Choice product in one of our other collections that will get the job done—without any fancy (re: girly) packaging or fragrance. Our Clear line is a great add-on for men struggling with moderate to severe acne, or you can mix and match between Clear and PC4MEN as needed. Same thing if you see a product in any of our other lines (Resist, Skin Balancing, Earth Sourced, etc.) that you think may work best for your skin type or concerns. Not sure if you should shop outside the PC4MEN line? Give us a call or chat us up, and we’ll steer you in the right direction!

Related Items

PC4Men Body Wash $29.00

PC4Men Daytime Protect SPF 30 $41.00

PC4Men Face Wash $35.00

PC4Men Face Wash

$30.00

What It Does:

Quickly washes away dirt and excess oil
Cleanses skin without drying
Thorough but Gentle Cleansing
Helps soothe sensitive skin
Visibly lessening redness and rough skin

Who This Product Is For

PC4MEN Face Wash is suitable for all skin types. All "men's" cleansers are cleansers formulated & packaged to be ideal for the lifestyle of men, as the human skin is essentially undifferentiated.

▼How It Compares

This soap-free gel cleanser delivers is the most ideal for men looking for a no-frills cleanser.
It is a great starter option for those with no prior preference for any cleanser.
This cleanser is also suitable for females.

◄Alternatives

Strength

The Skin Balancing / Hydralight Cleanser offers the same benefits for those with oily/combination skin.
The Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser is excellent if Acne is your premimary concern.
For Sensitive Skin, opt for the Calm Cleansers.

Texture

This cleanser has a gel texture.
This cleanser is most similar to the Earth Sourced Cleansing Gel.

Ingredient

The Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser is formulated with a richer blend of antioxidants for Oily Skin.
The Resist Optimal Resulst Hydrating Cleanser is formulated with a richer blend of antioxidants for Dry Skin.

Key Ingredients

decyl glucoside, glycerin, aloe barbadensis leaf juice extract

Quick Information
Product Ingredients
Research
How To Use
FAQs

Function

Cleanser

Texture

Gel

Skin Types

All

Sensitive-Friendly

Yes

Pregnancy-Friendly

Yes

Skincare Routine

First Step, Before Toner

Allergy Information

None
Water (Aqua), Decyl Glucoside (cleansing), Glycerin (hydration/skin replenishing), Sodium Cocoamphoacetate (cleansing), Lauryl Glucoside (cleansing), Xanthan Gum (texture-enhancing), Coco-Glucoside (cleansing), Glucose (hydration), Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate (cleansing), Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate (cleansing), Glyceryl Oleate (texture-enhancing), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (hydration/skin-soothing), Carrageenan (texture-enhancing), Sodium Phytate (stabilizer), Citric Acid (pH adjuster), Ethylhexylglycerin (texture-enhancing), Phenoxyethanol (preservative), Potassium Sorbate (preservative)
STUDIES USED TO HELP FORMULATE THIS PRODUCT:
Indian Journal of Dermatology, 2008, issue 4, pages 163-166 International Journal of Cosmetic Science, February 2000, issue 1, pages 21-52 Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2011, issue 6, pages 289-93 Journal of Cosmetic Science, May-June 2007, issue 3, pages 229-44 Skin Research and Technology, February 2001, issue 1, pages 49–55
Wet face and apply a small amount of cleanser to your face and eye area with vigorous, yet gentle, circular motions. Rinse well. To remove heavy makeup, repeat or use with a clean, wet washcloth. Detailed instructions on how/when to apply your Paula's Choice products can be found in our How to Put Together Your Own Skincare Routine article.
Can I use PC4Men Face Wash as my shampoo?

You can, yes, but it's best reserved for facial use. A regular shampoo is a better bet for guys especially if they use styling products (like pomades or waxes) as PC4Men Face Wash isn’t strong enough to remove buildup from these types of products. Even if you don’t use heavier hairstyling products, washing with our All Over Hair and Body Shampoo would work for that dual action in the shower.

How does PC4Men Face Wash differ from other Paula's Choice cleansers?

Our PC4Men Face Wash is actually identical to our Earth Sourced Cleanser, except for the packaging and the placement in our men’s line. While most of our cleansers are a balanced mix of beneficial natural and synthetic ingredients designed for specific skin types, PC4Men Face Wash was formulated for all skin types. Like all Paula’s Choice cleansers, PC4Men Face Wash is designed to be water-soluble, cleanse gently yet thoroughly, and is fragrance- and colorant-free, because that’s what’s best for skin.

What if there isn’t a product for my needs in PC4MEN?

No problem! Chances are, there’s a Paula’s Choice product in one of our other collections that will get the job done—without any fancy (re: girly) packaging or fragrance. Our Clear line is a great add-on for men struggling with moderate to severe acne, or you can mix and match between Clear and PC4MEN as needed. Same thing if you see a product in any of our other lines (Resist, Skin Balancing, Earth Sourced, etc.) that you think may work best for your skin type or concerns. Not sure if you should shop outside the PC4MEN line? Give us a call or chat us up, and we’ll steer you in the right direction!