Dear Paula,

I have oily skin, breakouts, and wrinkles and am not sure how to fit your new RESIST Skin Resurfacing and Smoothing System into my routine. I thought my breakouts would be over by now (I'm 42 years old) and I've been getting great results from the CLEAR Extra Strength System, particularly your 2% salicylic acid toner.

Now I really want to focus on my aging skin (I wasn't one to wear sunscreen in my younger years) and I am really interested in adding the RESIST Skin Resurfacing and Smoothing System to my routine. I want to add the AHA in these to tackle my wrinkles and fade my acne scars! How can I do this? I don't want to miss out on antiaging benefits!
Anastasia, via email

Dear Anastasia,

Believe me, I know it can be confusing when you're dealing with breakouts and signs of aging. Add to that the fact that the RESIST Skin Resurfacing and Smoothing duo is getting praise from women all over the Internet and no wonder you're curious!

As you may know, for oily skin and breakouts, the CLEAR System you've been using is a perfect choice. But what about the wrinkles and acne scars? Surprise, you are already using an excellent exfoliant with the 2% salicylic acid (BHA) in your CLEAR Extra Strength Targeted Acne Relief Toner. BHA is well known for its anti-acne ability, but it can absolutely help improve signs of aging, too!

Here's what you need to keep in mind:

• AHA and BHA differ by how they interact with oily skin
• BHA is oil-soluble, so it exfoliates the surface of skin as well as penetrates into the pore to dissolve clogs and stop breakouts.
• AHAs are water-soluble, so they work best on the uppermost layers of skin, making them ideal for sun damaged, dry skin when clogged pores are not a concern.

If you still want to experiment with our newest RESIST products, it would be best to alternate it with your BHA product rather than apply them at the same time. Once weekly use of the RESIST Weekly Resurfacing Treatment may prove successful for you; it's certainly worth a try!

What else can you do to fight signs of aging? Make sure you're using a serum that's loaded with skin-repairing and cell-communicating ingredients plus lots of proven antioxidants. Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Mattifying Concentrate with Retinol would be ideal for you!

OF COURSE daily, liberal application of sunscreen rated SPF 15 or greater is a must for anyone concerned with preventing wrinkles and uneven skin tone. For your skin type and concerns, Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Daily Mattifying Lotion with SPF 15 & Antioxidants is perfect. If desired, you can follow with Paula's Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint SPF 20 and finish with an application of Healthy Finish Pressed Powder SPF 15 TO GIVE YOUR SKIN THE BEST PROTECTION WITHOUT ADDING ANY GREASY FEEL TO SKIN.

Now you're on your way to looking younger, keeping breakouts under control, and making sure your skin is as healthy as possible!