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Acne is something that has plagued everyone at one time or another. Whether you're a pre-teen dealing with unsightly pimples or it's sticking around later into adulthood, usually you want to get rid of acne as soon as possible. Most of us don't like the look of acne, but it can also be quite painful, which is another reason we try to avoid it at all costs.
It's best to aim for clear skin to give you a boost of confidence and keep yourself healthy. But what exactly causes acne? There are a few contributors, like hair follicles that are clogged with oil, skin cells, and bacteria. It's most common in teenagers since fluctuating hormones can do a number on your skin too. Another big factor can actually be food sensitivities, lifestyle habits, and overall diet.
Sunday, February 16th
Paula's Choice confidently boasts that their formulas do what they say they will and have since 1995. The company, named after its founder Paula Begoun, is a science-backed foundation that aims to take the guesswork out of skin care. A quote from the company that sums up how they formulate their products is, "There are good and bad ingredients that are natural, and there are good and bad ingredients that are lab-created. To suggest that only natural is good is bad skin care.” Paula's Choice aims to use the most effective, safe ingredients without trying to claim that their formulas are perfectly all-natural or full of aggressive chemicals either.
Sort through many options
When you come to Paula's Choice looking for products to clear up your acne, you'll be faced with a lot of choices - some of them beyond the scope of what you may need. They have an award-winning skin exfoliant, pore normalizing cleanser, oil-free moisturizer, 10% azelaic acid booster, benzoyl peroxide skin clearing formula, acne body spray, and more. Some specifically mention that they're formulated for acne, while others might help but specifically target darkening, wrinkles, or other aging spots. You'll have to sort through the products here to decide for yourself what you might need to help with your acne blemishes.
Side-by-side comparisons
To help you find a lineup that will work for you, it might help to make side-by-side comparisons of the different products at Paula's Choice. You can choose up to 4 of them and see the customer ratings, prices, product descriptions, benefits, concerns, skin types, key ingredients, and sizes. We appreciate this when there are a lot of products to choose from and you can easily get confused between them - this tool makes it much easier to assess the pros and cons for your unique skincare situation.
Transparency with a money-back guarantee
Each formula's product page clearly explains what the product is meant to do, what skin types it is ideal for, the benefits, how to use it, all the ingredients, and cited research as it relates to the formula. Nothing is left out and we appreciate the clarity and transparency from Paula's Choice. They're confident in their products and will give you your money back within 60 days of purchase if you're not happy with the results you see.
Prices start at $22
The cost of any given acne product from Paula's Choice depends on the size and ingredients. They range from about $22 for a pore normalizing cleanser to $65 for a 1% retinol application. You could get an extra strength kit with a cleanser, exfoliant, and leave-on product for around $65 if you want to bundle and save or spend as much as $124 for a pore perfecting kit with 2% BHA liquid exfoliant, niacinamide 20% solution, and a 0.3% retinol + 2% bakuchiol formula.
Discounts and free shipping
We all love to save a bit of money whenever we shop, which is why signing up for Paula's Choice's email list to save 15% on your order may not be a bad idea. Plus, if you sign up for "auto replenishment” on your product, you'll always save 15% on the total cost. Shipping is always free here and when you put in your zip code on the product page, you'll see a specific delivery date that you can expect your product to arrive by.
Rave reviews
Paula's Choice has a "C-” rating from the Better Business Bureau and is not accredited. The reason for this mediocre rating is their failure to respond to 3 complaints against the business. We're willing to let this slide, considering how highly customers speak of the products and customer support here both on their website and off. People agree that the products are well-made, thoroughly thought out, and backed by research. It's not uncommon to see that people have used this company's products for years and recommend them to everyone they can. People say orders come in a timely manner and their skin improves drastically with consistent use.
A lot to like
We are big fans of Paula's Choice. We like shopping on their website, they have a good range of products for different skin issues, pricing is reasonable, and we are thrilled with their customer reviews. The honest, unfiltered ratings from buyers on their website show that not everyone finds all of the products satisfactory, which we would expect. There is no overnight miracle cure for acne that works for every lifestyle and skin type, so it's good to see that despite this, Paula's Choice is effective for many people and is a great company to support. There is a lot to like about Paula's Choice, so they've earned our highest rating among acne products.
Curology was founded in 2014 by Dr. David Lortscher. The goal of the company is to provide easier access to clinically-proven ingredients and science-backed products for a variety of skin conditions. The company is dermatologist-founded and led, so they'll work with you to choose a customized plan designed for your concerns and goals. Their formulas target hair loss, acne, aging, dark spots, dry skin, and more. You can get both prescription formulas prescribed by a dermatologist and routine essentials here.
Dermatologist-prescribed acne formula
The product we were particularly interested in from Curology is their Custom Formula for acne. It is made to improve clogged pores, acne, skin texture, rosacea, and dark spots. The cream comes in a 12 oz bottle that will last one month. It requires a prescription from one of Curology's dermatologists, so when you add the product to your cart, they'll check your eligibility by asking what state you live in, your birthday, and then have you set up an account. Before asking questions about your skin and health history, you'll add a card for payment.
3 unique active ingredients
Aside from filling out basic information about your health history and skin, you'll need to upload pictures of your skin as part of your "skinfo” profile. This helps the doctor identify the ingredients you'll benefit most from when they make your custom formula. There will be 3 chosen custom-strength ingredients included in your product, depending on what will work best for you. This may include niacinamide, azelaic acid, tretinoin, zinc pyrithione, metronidazole, clindamycin, or something similar. All formulas are free of added fragrances, paraben-free, cruelty-free, and never tested on animals. The base of any formula along with the 3 active ingredients includes aloe barbadensis leaf juice, C13-14 isoparaffin, caprylic/capric triglyceride, deionized water, laureth-7, phenoxyethanol, polyacrylamide, tocopheryl acetate, and triethylene glycol.
Free shipping
It usually takes 1-2 business days for a dermatologist to review all the information you submit with your purchase and prescribe your formula. They'll notify you as soon as your plan is ready so you can look over it and get it shipped out. There is no cost for shipping, so you'll only be spending money on the product itself.
Subscribe and save
Curology really pushes subscriptions of their products rather than one-time purchases, so you'll save quite a bit if you choose to do this. A single bottle of Custom Formula for a one-time purchase is $34.95. This isn't crazy expensive by any means, but compared to the $14.95 intro subscription price, it seems like a lot more. Plus, when you subscribe you'll get a free starter set. After your first bottle, the price jumps to $29.95/month, but you can cancel at any time.
Results in 6-12 weeks
To use Custom Formula, you're instructed to clean your face well, dry it completely, then add a thin layer around your entire face and neck before bed and leave it on overnight. With consistent use, many patients notice a difference in 6-12 weeks, but Curology says the timeline could vary slightly depending on the severity of your acne and skin type. They remind users that they're not just going for progress, but prevention as well.
Less-than-ideal return policy
If you've not seen the results you expected after using Custom Formula consistently for a couple of months, it's recommended that you connect with your dermatologist through your account and discuss it with them. It's possible they'll try to alter the ingredients in your next order or let you cancel completely. The only way to get a refund is if you reach out within 28 days of your delivery date and they'll refund your first subscription payment. However, this doesn't give you enough time to really test out the product, so it's not the ideal solution.
Great ratings
Curology has an "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau. They have great reviews from customers who say they got good results from their acne products and other prescription formulas they sell. Customer service is said to be prompt and really listens to your concerns. We found hundreds of reports from users saying that the formulas here saved their skin and worked just as they claimed to. So without a doubt, Curology is backed by happy buyers.
Great alternative to in-person dermatologist
If you want a strong, custom-made formula to target your acne, we like the idea of Curology. You don't have to make a trip to your local dermatologist, so it will save you a ton of time. You can do your own research on all the ingredients before making a purchase, yet you'll still get to consult with a doctor and have a prescription-based product. The price is really reasonable, so the only downside here that we've really identified is that there is no money-back guarantee. You may have to use up a few bottles of Custom Formula before deciding if it worked or not and at that point, you can't get a refund. However, since reviews from customers are so high, we are optimistic that Custom Formula is a great solution for people wanting a strong acne solution, so Curology has earned a high rating from us.
ZENMED got its start in 1999 and focuses on selling natural and organic skincare products. They offer a range of products for redness, acne, cleansing, moisturizing, and aging, all cruelty-free and doctor-formulated. They say they advocate for skin health without compromising the well-being of customers, the environment, or animals. ZENMED has set out to prove that luxury formulations can be considerately priced while still being hyper effective.
Luxury skincare variety
The first thing we noticed about ZENMED's packaging is that it's sleek and professional-looking and gives an air of quality that looks expensive. Their lineup of acne products includes 37 different items. Some of them are individual bottles while others come in sets. You'll find things like a facial cleansing gel, dietary supplements, refining scrubs, purifying face masks, toner, AHA BHA complex, sebum control gel, and more. The products here are really specific, so it may take some reading to understand the uses of each and which ones will benefit you.
Clear-cut website
When you select a product, you can read an overview of its purpose, how to use it, and a full list of ingredients. The facial cleansing gel had ingredients like sage, coltsfoot, yarrow, balm mint, chamomile, rosemary, horsetail, aloe vera gel, coconut-derived products, vitamins A, B5, C, E, and a blend of essential oils. The ZENMED website is really clear-cut and makes it easy to identify useful and relevant information.
Free shipping over $75
By entering your name and email, you can save 20% on an order through ZENMED. This is always worth doing, especially if you decide to try a bunch of ZENMED's products all at once just to see what you like best. The cost of their formulas ranges from $16 for an acne gel to $126 for a 4-pack of retinol booster. Also, when you spend over $75 at ZENMED, you qualify for free shipping; otherwise you'll pay a flat rate of $6.95.
People Pleaser Guarantee
ZENMED has a "People Pleaser Guarantee” stating that if for any reason you aren't satisfied with one of their products, you have 60 days to return it for a refund, minus shipping costs. If you have any questions about this or want to initiate a refund, you can contact them via the email address they provide on their website.
Loyal customers
You'll find hundreds of reviews on many of the acne products from ZENMED. You can read everything from a 1-star rating to a 5-star rating, but ZENMED's products perform extremely high in the customer satisfaction department, so you'll mostly read about how people have found great relief from their skin issues, don't feel dried out by the formula, and have stuck with ZENMED for years because it works so well for them. There is no rating from the Better Business Bureau for ZENMED, but based on customer feedback alone, we trust that this is a safe and high quality option for acne prevention.
A solid selection
Sometimes it can be overwhelming to find a company with so many varying products for acne, but we like that ZENMED's are all formulated for very different purposes and they clearly explain who would benefit most from them. Their prices are really reasonable, so it wouldn't hurt to test out a few things and then narrow down your favorites to use continually. We appreciate that ZENMED is committed to natural, high quality ingredients that are gentle on your skin, so they've earned one of our top ratings for acne products.
Dermala is described as a science-based acne fighting system that works inside and out. The idea for the company was developed at the University of California San Diego and JLABS, the Johnson & Johnson innovation incubator. Dr. Lada Rasochova felt that to make a real difference in skincare, you need to attack the bacteria throughout your microbiome that cause trouble rather than just fighting the symptoms of acne. The team developed the Dermala line that includes acne pads, cleansers, toners, supplements, moisturizers, and more.
Many acne-fighting options
There are many different acne products from Dermala, so where do you start? That will primarily depend on what you most need help with. You could easily try just one or two Dermala products or load up with the whole arsenal and use everything to attack your acne from all angles. There is a quiz on Dermala's website that asks 10 questions to guide you to the products that will benefit you the most. It asks what type of acne you struggle with, how many pimples you get each week on average, how often you break out, what your skin type is like, if stress makes your breakouts worse, if you have acne on your back and shoulders, and so on. Based on your answers to these questions, you'll be guided to some Dermala product suggestions.
Mix and match
You don't have to buy all the products that are recommended to you, but it wouldn't hurt. To start basic, you might want to try Dermala's "Best CLEANSE Forever” probiotic acne cleanser to clean your face once or twice a day. It's a 3 fl. oz. gel cleanser that's meant to fight acne-causing bacteria without overdrying the face, hydrate the skin, and help balance its microbiome. A single bottle is $27 with a one-time purchase or $22 if you subscribe to recurring orders. Other products include:
Transparent ingredient list
Dermala really focuses on the importance of a healthy gut, so the supplements are meant to work from the inside out. They contain simple ingredients like black pepper fruit extract, broccoli extract, calcium D-Glucarate, DIM, zinc, and a variety of other vitamins and herbs. A full, transparent list of ingredients that you can review is listed with each supplement and topical acne formula.
Ways to save
To save a bit on your first order, you could sign up to receive marketing emails from Dermala and get 10% off. At the time of this review, the company also had a discount code listed for 15% off your total order as well, so there are usually at least one or two ways to save money on your purchase from Dermala. The cost of shipping will depend on which shipping method you choose and where you're located.
Honest reviews
We appreciate that there are customer reviews on each of Dermala's products. Most of them are extremely highly rated and all of the feedback seems to be honest and unfiltered. People say that these products drastically help improve their skin and a lot of people have stuck with this brand for years with no intention of making any changes. We highly recommend reading through what everyone says about the products on Dermala's website to give you confidence about making a purchase here. Plus, the company has an "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau, which is fantastic.
60-day return policy
The returns policy/money back guarantee is pretty straightforward with Dermala. If you are unhappy with your purchase, you can contact the company by email within 60 days of your purchase and get a full refund. This should give you enough time to see any noticeable differences in your skin with one of their products.
Highly recommend
We're impressed with Dermala and are happy to see that their products work well for so many people. Their prices are affordable and they have a good enough range of products that you can mix and match what you need the most. Their website makes it easy to identify important information about how to apply a formula, the ingredients included, and the science behind each ingredient. Dermala is a good place to turn for acne products, so we highly recommend checking out this company.
AcnEase was developed by Herborium Group, Inc. They are a botanical therapeutics company focused on developing and marketing proprietary, botanical-based medicinal products to consumers and healthcare professionals. Herborium Group, Inc. blends traditional and western medical approaches by bringing the healing power of plants to the mainstream of medicinal science. Their products include acne formulas to target different levels of severity, rosacea symptoms, and oily skin.
Restore long-term balance
The idea behind AcnEase is that healing the skin comes from within. The company says that it's a medical fact that acne is caused by hormonal imbalances, which makes sebaceous glands go haywire. The ingredients in AcnEase are meant to act as a buffer between hormonal imbalance and the sebaceous glands, to naturally restore long-term balance to your skin.
Stop pimples, then maintain progress
There are four categories of acne products depending on how severe your acne is. You can shop for mild, moderate, or severe acne applications or ones that are specifically formulated for both your body and face. This is to initially get pimples under control, and then you can transition over to the AcnEase maintenance plan ($27.50/bottle of 72 tablets to be used between 4 and 6 times per day depending on weight) that fight both acne and symptoms of rosacea. All products work for people of any age, skin tone, type, and complexion.
Find the plan for you
You might be wondering how to know which plan will best work for you. The mild products are for those with a small number of pimples on the face that have persisted for less than 2 years and is mostly recommended for teens. Moderate acne is characterized here as having a significant amount of pimples, some being inflamed, and found around the face and forehead. Severe acne would apply to those who have had breakouts for over 2 years, meaning their acne is chronic. These people have often tried antibiotics and other products without any success.
Plant-based ingredients
The ingredients in AcnEase include gardenia fruit, houttuynia, scierotium, dandelion, balsam pear, leaf mustard, tablet excipients, dextrin (vegetable based), and cornstarch. You can read about the uses of each ingredient on the AcnEase website and the company reassures their customers that their formula has been extensively tested and all ingredients are listed by the FDA as being safe. The company says that your hormones are not directly affected by AcnEase and none of the herbs used have been shown to be dangerous or questionable when used before, during, or after pregnancy.
Cost varies
AcnEase boasts that 96% of their users see clear skin after using their product for 4 weeks. Some people even see results in as little as 7-10 days. So what does it cost to see this for yourself? The mild formula comes with 3 bottles (always 72 tablets per bottle) for $89 for women and 5 bottles for $149. The moderate formula comes with 5 bottles for $113.75 for women and 7 bottles for $149.75 for men. Severe applications come with 7 bottles for $114.50 for both men and women. So depending on some factors that will vary based on each individual, you could be spending more or less than other people to get your acne under control. Plus, mild conditions take about a month for your face and 6 weeks for your body (at a minimum). The moderate plan can take 1-2 months for your face to heal and 6-12 weeks for your body, and severe acne may take at least 2-3 months for your face and 6-18 weeks for your body. You may need to buy an additional round if your case of acne takes a little longer to get under control, so keep this in mind.
Dosing based on weight
The dosing for each application varies a little bit based on weight. Under each product listing, you'll see how many tablets should be ingested based on if you weigh over or under 175 lbs. It will range from 8 tablets daily (4 tablets 2 x/day) for a mild condition of someone under 175 lbs. to 18 tablets per day for someone with severe acne that weighs over 175 lbs. Pay attention to where you fit into the regimen directions to make sure you're taking the correct amount of AcnEase.
60 days to test it out
If you have some hesitancy about trying out AcnEase, know that you have a full 60 days from the original purchase of 1 application (not multiple) to get your money back if it doesn't work for you. You should use the product regularly as directed for at least one month and if you don't see results, then you'll need to send back any opened and unopened bottles for a refund. It's limited to one refund per customer and shipping costs won't be refunded, but you will get back the price of what you spent on the product.
Reassuring success stories
There is no Better Business Bureau profile or rating under the name AcnEase or for Herborium Group, Inc. They do have impressive success stories on their website and testimonials from customers, but they don't appear to be entirely unfiltered. We found feedback ranging from users from 2013 to 2023, so people have been using AcnEase for quite a while. Although we weren't able to find a lot of genuine, honest reviews outside of the AcnEase website, what we did read seemed to be reassuring and effective for buyers.
A reasonable choice
We are intrigued by the fact that AcnEase is an ingestible solution, rather than something topical. The ingredients are simple enough and seem like a safe option. If it doesn't work for you, the only thing you've lost is some of your time since you can get your money back. It's a bit more expensive upfront for the initial product, but the maintenance plan is reasonably priced, so this is an affordable option overall if you want to take a unique, targeted approach to clearing your acne. AcnEase has earned a high rating from us.
Truly Clear was created to fight stubborn, out-of-control acne for customers who want to ditch a multi-step skincare routine. Their 1-step application is formulated to eliminate acne-causing bacteria and prevent future breakouts. With their product, customers will experience deep pore penetration, gentle cleansing, exfoliation, and a reduction in pore size. The company is based out of Vermont where they hand-package all of their products to be shipped out.
Simple cleansing soap bar
The categories of products from Truly Clear include an acne bar, acne patches, wrinkle patches, a swirl scrubber, and value sets. However, our main interests are their bar of soap and acne patches. The Truly Clear Acne Bar is meant to clean breakout-prone skin in just 5 minutes a day. You'll smooth it over wet skin on your face, neck, chest, back, and anywhere else that needs it. In as little as 7 days you can expect to start seeing visible changes. A one-time purchase of this bar is $35 or you can do a 30-, 45-, or 60-day subscription for $28/bar.
Acne-fighting patches
The hydrocolloid acne-fighting patches from Truly Clear can be purchased in 4 different shapes and sizes, like circles for any area, target patches for areas like your nose and forehead, zone patches, and nose-specific patches. The ingredients in all of them are the same and each box costs $30 or $24 with a subscription. You could also get a variety pack with 268 total patches so that you have an ample supply on-hand for $150 or $120 with a subscription.
Leave patches on for 6-8 hours
To use the acne patches, it's best to first clean the affected area with the acne bar, then place a patch and leave it on for 6-8 hours. They are formulated to absorb secretions and gunk while clarifying the appearance of blemishes and keeping the area moist to promote healing. Hydrocolloid is the only ingredient in these patches.
98.42% plant-based
Truly Clear compares itself to Proactiv multiple times in their FAQ section. (Proactiv is another acne brand in our review that has been widely used throughout the years.) Truly Clear says they differ because they are a plant-based alternative that uses gentle, natural botanicals known for their soothing properties (peppermint, shea, aloe, sunflower seed oil), and reduced risk of skin irritation. Overall, their product (compared to Proactiv) is meant to be gentler on the skin, reduce the risk of side effects, have natural healing properties, consider the environment, and take a holistic approach. Truly Clear boasts that their products are 98.42% natural and plant-based so that their formulas work with your skin, rather than against it. All their products are vegan-friendly and contain the FDA-registered acne ingredient salicylic acid. All of their packaging is 100% recyclable and made from paper packaging.
Short-term skin purge
Companies seem to differ a bit in their idea of whether or not "skin purging” is necessary or normal when you're trying to clear up acne. Truly Clear says that when using their product, it may initially appear that your skin gets worse, but it's a short-term condition where the skin is ridding itself of underlying bacteria, oil, and dirt. This means there may be more inflamed pimples for a while, but they will clear and this should bring an end to your acne.
Free shipping on orders over $40
On top of savings if you subscribe to the products from Truly Clear, you can get 20% off your first order with email signup. Shipping is free throughout the US if you spend at least $40 on any given order. If Truly Clear doesn't work for you, the company will allow you to return your products within 30 days.
Mostly high reviews
There is no Better Business Bureau rating for Truly Clear, but their customer reviews are extremely high. They hover around 4.3-4.7 out of 5 stars, depending on where you look online. They do have reviews you can read directly on their website, which is helpful. Many people say that even after using the acne cleansing bar for just a few days, they notice that they stop having new breakouts, it smells good, and it's really gentle. The main complaint is that since it is a bar of soap, it's hard to control how much you use, unlike a pump soap, so it doesn't always last as long as people hoped it would.
Give it a test run
Truly Clear has safe ingredients and is as simple as washing your face, which most people are doing anyway, so it's a very seamless addition to any skincare routine. Since it is meant to start working quickly and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, we recommend trying out both the soap and the acne patches. Even if it doesn't fully eradicate your acne, it could be a good addition to any other acne-related products you are using.
Proactiv is a 3-step skincare routine and American-made brand developed by dermatologists Katie Rodan and Kathy Fields that launched in 1995. The company gained popularity and traction primarily from their infomercials and celebrity endorsements in the early 2000s. It is aimed at customers with mild to moderate acne, and the company boasts over 20 million users so far.
A host of new products
The initial launch of Proactiv that most people are familiar with revolved around a 3-step process that included cleansing, toning, and repairing/moisturizing the skin. Over the years they've differentiated different products for oily skin, sensitive skin, dry skin, and stubborn acne. They have a variety of standalone products like a vitamin C serum, pimple patches, body wash, blackhead dissolving gel, smooth skin exfoliator, and more. Depending on how much time you're willing to commit to a skincare routine, you may want to purchase a kit with a routine set out for you or just buy individual products.
Long ingredient lists
One of the primary ingredients in Proactiv's products is advanced benzoyl peroxide to attack the acne cycle, clear current blemishes, and prevent new ones from forming. Other primary ingredients advertised include glycolic acid, witch hazel, and aloe. Ingredients will vary based on the product you choose, so be sure to read through them in full. There is actually quite a long list of ingredients when you read through the full description, including controversial and possibly adverse things like methylparaben, propylparaben, fragrance, blue 1, yellow 5, and more. If you're looking for a more natural product, Proactiv is definitely not it.
HSA/FSA eligible + subscription discounts
The formulas produced by Proactiv are HSA/FSA eligible. You can choose between 30- and 90-day supplies of many items. There is an option for a one-time purchase or a subscription, but the one-time purchase is significantly more expensive, so it doesn't make a lot of sense. Take the Proactiv Clean 3-step routine in a 90-day supply, for instance. It includes a mineral acne cleanser, azelaic pore perfector, and acne clearing hydrator. A one-time purchase of these items is $95.20 or just $24.95 if you subscribe. Since you can cancel a subscription at any time, you might as well sign up for this plan to save a lot upfront.
60-day trial period
Another way to save on your first order of Proactiv is by signing up for their email list to get 15% off your first subscription order or one-time purchase. Shipping is free on orders over $24, so it won't be too hard to qualify for no-cost delivery. Each purchase comes with Proactiv's 60-day money back guarantee, so if you try out the product for 60 days and don't like the results, you can get your money back (minus shipping and handling fees). You can initiate this guarantee by chatting with their support team online, emailing, or giving them a call.
Years worth of customer feedback
Since Proactiv has been around for a long time, you'll have years' worth of customer reviews to read through on their website. They range from people saying that within days their blemishes significantly cleared up, to others saying it was semi-helpful but definitely not a cure. It seems that people benefit from the 5% extra strength benzoyl peroxide with stubborn acne, but there are also some that have had no results at all. Still, Proactiv has an "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau and with their money-back guarantee, this isn't a very high-risk option.
An average choice
If you find a lineup through Proactiv that excites you because it seems like it will target the worst of your acne, then it's a fairly inexpensive, low-risk option. For a 90-day supply and up to 3 different applications in a kit, you're really getting a steal of a deal when you subscribe. We're hesitant about some of their ingredients and realize that this doesn't work for everyone (partly because it isn't meant for severe acne), so Proactiv ranks among the middle of the acne products we've considered.
Mighty Patch was developed by Hero Cosmetics, a company that began in 2017. It was founded out of a lack of solutions that worked with the skin instead of against it when dealing with acne, rosacea, and dark spots. The founders aimed to create an alternative to the stripping, purging, and resurfacing that often takes place with many types of acne control producst. An "Aha!” solution discovered by Hero Cosmetics was the Mighty Patch, a hydrocolloid product from South Korea that minimizes pimples without stripping or agitating them and just takes a little time.
Early pimple intervention
There are quite a few versions of the Mighty Patch that are developed for different areas of the face and for different stages of blemishes. Micropoint for Blemishes and Micropoint XL for blemishes are two products that were formulated for early-stage pimples. They're a simple sticker that goes on transparent after cleaning and drying your face, applied to areas that you can feel or see a pimple just starting to develop. The two products vary only in size - one for smaller, round pimples, and a longer version to cover more surface area. The idea is that they "pull gunk” to the surface and work in just 6-8 hours over the course of a couple days.
Designed for whiteheads
There are 8 other types of Mighty Patch for taking on whiteheads. They range from the Original patch that comes with 36 or 72 patches depending on your needs, works throughout the night and is good for all skin types, to the Mighty Patch face patch. This product is a full face set to fix extra-large breakouts and has 5 total stickers for t-zones, cheeks, and your chin, but only comes with one set. The pricing and type of all 10 Mighty Patch products is as follows:
One single ingredient
As you can see, Mighty Patch has a lot of products, but they essentially all do the same thing. You're just choosing what size of stickers you want and how many your box comes with. With each patch, the key ingredients section only lists "medical-grade hydrocolloid to gently absorb pimple gunk.”
30-day return policy
If you spend over $35 through Hero Cosmetics, your order will ship for free. The company says that if you did not love your Hero product, you have 30 days to send it back. Whether this means you can send back used products or not is pretty unclear. They ask that customers email them with their order number and reason for return and they'll start the process.
Limited usage
It might be ideal to use Mighty Patch throughout the night since it's recommended that you leave the patches on for 6-8 hours, even though there are daytime options. Although they are a clear sticker, you can still see them on your face, so you might not feel comfortable at work or out socializing with them all over. This is one downside of Mighty Patch. Rather than applying a cream or serum to be working for you throughout the day, you're somewhat limited to nighttime or times when you're alone to use the stickers. Plus, if you have oily skin, there's a chance they could rub off while you sleep.
Good reports of effectiveness
Hero Cosmetics is listed as a company of Church & Dwight Co., Inc. This entity is also tied to recognizable brands like Orajel, Spinbrush, Vitafusion, Arm & Hammer, Lil' Critters, Oxi Clean, and others. They have an "F” rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) that the BBB says may reflect just the headquarters itself or corporate-owned locations and other businesses. It's based on their failure to respond to 11 complaints and 5 complaints that were unresolved. This may or may not have much reflection on Hero Cosmetics, so take it with a grain of salt. What would be important for you to consider is the unfiltered customer reviews on Hero's website. Each type of Mighty Patch has its own section of reviews, and there are quite a few to read through. Overall they are extremely high, so it seems that Mighty Patch works really well for users.
Not a complete solution
If you suffer from blackheads or deep, chronic acne, we're skeptical that this is a one-size-fits-all solution that will completely clear your face up. Mighty Patch is more of a solution for those who get mild acne on occasion and need some emergency products to nip blemishes in the bud before they become too big. If you're interested in Mighty Patch, we recommend using them in conjunction with one of our higher-rated creams or gels for acne rather than relying on them as a sole solution. Mighty Patch has earned an average rating from us.
ClearPores is a skin cleansing system that goes beyond problems caused by bacteria, oil, and impurities. They're a Skinception company that began in 2006 with a solution meant to help deal with acne caused by issues like poor digestion, inadequate liver function, hormonal imbalances, a poor diet, and stressful situations. It's a 3-step program taken both orally and ingested topically to get users on their way to healthy skin and recovery.
Start with a deep wash
The first product in the ClearPores 3-step program is a deep, oil-free facial wash. The formula includes ingredients that remove acne-related bacteria. It removes dead skin cells, improves the cell regeneration process, eliminates pore blockage, and restores an optimal pH balance. The ingredients in the facial wash include things like glyceryl stearate, linseed, SD alcohol 40, polysorbate 60, salicylic acid, xanthan gum, sclerotium gum, BHT, retinyl palmitate, methylparaben, and propylparaben.
Unfavorable ingredients
The company boasts that this formula includes 100% natural herb ingredients. Although there are some, we would by no means consider this to be a "natural” formula. For example, parabens have been shown to interfere with proper hormone function, so this is something we're really leery of. More than ever, companies have made efforts to remove parabens and some of the other ingredients listed here in their products - it's often something that rivals proudly mention on their product labels, since this is becoming more and more important to consumers.
Dietary supplement for step 2
The second step in the ClearPores regimen is a dietary supplement that's meant to help your body eliminate acne-related toxins and maintain defense mechanisms associated with inflammation and swelling. A single bottle includes 60 capsules and is made up of dandelion root, burdock root, aloe vera, yellow dock, echinacea purpurea, red clover, sarsaparilla root, licorice root, turmeric, Atlantic kelp, cayenne, partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil, and magnesium stearate. ClearPores boasts that this is an "all natural” formula with no known side effects whatsoever. We would warn that some of these ingredients are considered controversial during pregnancy, so we would definitely check with your healthcare provider before taking step 2 of the ClearPores system if you're pregnant or nursing.
Protection cream
The third and final step of ClearPores is a protection cream that's to be used on a daily basis to protect against new breakouts while feeding your skin ingredients to make it look clear and healthy. It has anti-inflammatory effects, can eliminate clogging and spots, and moisturize skin. It uses a 2% concentration of salicylic acid, similar to what is found in the step 1 washing system to prevent pores from accumulating dead skin cells. Some of ingredients include isopropyl palmitate, cetearyl alcohol, dimethicone, soy lecithin (a common allergen), thotic acid, citric acid, diazolidinyl urea, methylparaben, propylparaben, and more. These are ingredients you'll want to pay attention to and decide if you feel safe using them or not.
Purchase by phone
Something odd about ClearPores is that you can't order their product online. You'll have to call the Leading Edge Health company by phone not only to make a purchase, but also to find out exact pricing. We really don't like this because it feels like the company is being secretive and also putting up barriers to buying their product. There's no way of knowing if everyone is charged the same price or not, which is another concern for us. Based on our research, you'll likely be able to purchase the full 3-step system for around $65, which isn't too bad. Shipping will be based on where you're located in the United States, so that could vary a bit. You may also have the option to buy steps 1-3 individually if you don't want all three products. Unfortunately, ClearPores doesn't clearly go over how frequently you'll need to use any of their products, so you may end up purchasing more than one 3-step regimen per month or need to take it long-term for it to be effective, which will affect how much you spend overall.
67-day guarantee
It's reported by ClearPores that some of their clients have noticed significant improvements after just 1 or 2 weeks of using this product. Others say it takes up to 3 months for the skincare system to deliver optimal results. If your skin isn't better, healthier, and clearer after 67 days, they'll give you a refund. Simply reach out to customer service and they'll send your money back.
Made by Leading Edge Health
ClearPores is a Skinception product, which is manufactured by Leading Edge Health. This company has an "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau and is overall highly rated by third-party customers. However, we should note that Leading Edge Health as a whole does not directly reflect how effective ClearPores might be on acne. Since there aren't a lot of reviews for ClearPores, you'll be taking a bit of a gamble by trying it out for yourself. Luckily you have a money-back guarantee to fall on and a company that you're buying from with an active customer service team.
Not a top choice
Overall we're not huge fans of the ingredients used in ClearPores, and this is one of our biggest hangups. If this were completely reformulated today, it's not unlikely that they would use different ingredients based on more recent customer habits and research about the negative effects of certain ingredients on hormones. However, we realize that not everyone is worried about this and primarily just wants to eliminate their acne, so ClearPores is definitely still an option. We also wish that ClearPores went over your anticipated regimen more clearly. It's a really wordy website, but some basic information like how much to take and when is left out. Unsurprisingly, this is not one of our top choices for acne products.
At Exposed Skin Care, they believe that clear, healthy skin is within reach for everyone. They were founded in 2002 out of their founder's apartment in Seattle where he hand-bottled products for shipment. The company has grown into a thriving business with manufacturing facilities in North America with the mission to provide exceptional skincare products that fight acne and promote skin health with advanced scientific ingredients and natural extracts.
3 acne kits
Some of the main benefits that Exposed Skin Care says customers will get from using their products include quality ingredients manufactured in the USA and Canada; spa-quality, prescription strength, complete home-based solution; and compatibility with all lifestyles and diets. There are 3 kits you can choose from here, all of which come in a 60-day supply that vary slightly with what is included and pricing.
All the basics
The first option for customers is the Basic Kit for $59.95. It comes with a facial cleanser (4 fl. oz.), clearing tonic (4 fl. oz.), serum (1.7 fl. oz), clear pore serum (1.7 fl. oz.), and derm-x cloth. It includes everything you need for an essential daily routine to use twice a day (once in the morning and once in the evening) and works together to cleanse, and prevent blemishes. All kits are said to give you visible results in just 30 days or less.
Extra hydration and blemish control
The Expanded Kit from Exposed Skin Care is $69.95 and is the same as the basic kit plus a 1.7 fl. oz. moisture complex to boost hydration without clogging pores. For $99.95 you can choose to get the Ultimate Kit which is the same as the Expanded Kit plus a microderm scrub (1.7 fl. oz) that clears pores and exfoliates skin, a clarifying charcoal mask (1.7 fl. oz.), and ingestible probiotic complex with 60 tablets.
Reasonable pricing
By signing up for Exposed Skin Care's email list, you'll get 10% off your first order. Plus, shipping is free on all orders over $50, so pricing here is pretty good in our opinion - considering you're getting a 60-day supply of all products you buy here. Plus, you could always order products individually if you like some more than another and run out faster than you thought you might, and it won't cost as much.
Commit to the regimen
With the description of each kit is a list of ingredients in all the products (paraben- and sulfate-free) as well as a morning and evening routine. It's important to read through this before ordering so you know what you're committing to as far as the time you'll be spending each morning and night on your skincare lineup. Exposed Skin Care tells you how much of each product to use, when, and in what order. Some common ingredients you'll find in the different serums and cleansers are benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, sulfur, azelaic acid, green tea, aloe vera, tea tree oil, and more. Be sure to read the ingredient list of each formula to ensure you are safe from allergies and feel comfortable with everything that's included.
Clear skin guarantee
If you follow the directions of your Exposed Skin Care kit fully and do not achieve a reduction of your acne and smoother skin, you can return your first kit within 1 year of purchase for a full refund (minus shipping costs). Aside from this, the company will accept returns of any unopened orders within 30 days of delivery as well.
Unsatisfactory results
Exposed Skin Care has an "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau, which we love to see. Reviews on their website are extremely high, but we found it quite another story when we read third-party forums. Some say that the system you receive here is comprehensive and can work well for some people. However, a downside we saw reported frequently was that the combination of ingredients is often too much for people with sensitive skin and it could cause rashes and dryness. Others said that they were impressed with the company's 1-year guarantee, but they don't seem to stand by it and customer service is hard to work with. Overall, people said the product makes you feel like your face is clean and the packaging is nice, but it doesn't do a whole lot for fighting acne.
Disappointed
We were happy with so much of what we saw from Exposed Skin Care until we dove deeper into the customer reviews. We're not sure if all of the ones from their website are real or not, because it seems that most legitimate reviews from customers outside of this are poor. People who have struggled with acne for years are excited to try the product and then feel frustrated and discouraged by the end. We're disappointed by this, so Exposed Skin Care has not earned one of our top recommendations.
Murad is named after its founder, Dr. Howard Murad. The brand is committed to science-backed wellness by creating products and experiences for healthier skin and happier lives. Aside from a long line of acne products, customers can shop at Murad based on particular skin concerns like oil control, hydration, lifting and firming, brightening, eczema, sensitive skin, and more.
Possibly too many choices
The acne control skincare lineup at Murad hosts a wide range of products, including cleansers and toners, serums, moisturizers, masks and peels, SPF, supplements, and full regimens and kits. In total, there are 32 different products to choose from. Some are the same product that come in different sizes, but most of them differ in their purpose and ingredients. As much as we love a good selection, what we found here was almost overwhelming. Do we need just one of the products? All of them? If we need a mix of a few, then which ones? When dealing with acne you want to try everything you can, but 32 different products would definitely be overkill and beyond most anyone's budget, so you may find yourself overwhelmed at where to start.
A range of product types
To give you an idea of what products are available from Murad, you've got your basic acne cleanser that you could use day and night. For a 6.75 fl. oz. bottle, the cost is $27. But you could also opt for the travel size version of this product for $14, or buy the 13.5 fl. oz. bottle for $55, or go big with the 16.9 fl. oz. pump bottle that costs $60. Murad sells a 6 fl. oz. clarifying body spray for $48, a 6 fl. oz. toner for $30, a 0.5 fl. oz. rapid relief spot application for $26, a 2.5 fl. oz. acne relief sulfur mask for $44, a 30-day supply of a clear-skin supplement for $45, and so on. There is quite a range here.
Try a kit
It might be easiest to go with one of Murad's kits to save a little money and get multiple products in one set. We would recommend trying out their acne control 30-day trial kit that includes the clarifying cleanser, two spot applications, and a lightweight SPF 45 moisturizer. The cost is $36 and if you use all the products morning or night, it might give you an idea if the ingredients used in these products are safe for your skin and if it leads to positive changes in getting rid of your acne.
Full ingredients and regimen instructions
It will take a little time, but if you go through each product listing, you'll see what skin types it is formulated for, the ingredient spotlight, and the full list of ingredients. There are also steps for each application so you know exactly how to use it, when to use it, and how much of it to use. Balancing all the information of each formula may help you decide which products will benefit you most.
10% off with subscriptions
With any Murad product, you can save if you decide to subscribe to recurrent deliveries. You'll get 10% off each product if you shop this way and you can choose your deliveries to be every 1, 2, 3, or 4 months. Plus, with a subscription to Murad's email list, you'll get a code for 20% off your first order, so when you stack this, it makes it fairly inexpensive to give Murad a try.
Money-back guarantee
Murad has a 60-day money-back guarantee, meaning you're eligible for a refund of the purchase price of a product if you're unsatisfied with it. This leads us to believe that you can test out a product and still get a full refund for it if it doesn't work well. There's a phone number listed on the website and a live chat option for you to reach customer service and initiate your return.
Unreliable reviews
Sometimes it's hard to know what to believe when it comes to reviews. On a company's own website they can control how positive or negative customer feedback appears by either falsifying reviews (not saying this is happening here) or not allowing negative reviews to be published on their site. The reviews for all of the acne control products at Murad are extremely high - most of them a 4- or 5-star review. The lowest overall rating of a product was 4.6 out of 5 stars, which is either incredible or not entirely true.
Poor third-party feedback
The Better Business Bureau gives Murad an "A+” rating, which is awesome. Our skepticism over reviews is based on how bad buyer feedback is on third-party sites. There are reports of people receiving products that appear to have been used and returned and are not sealed correctly. Others say customer service is a mess and it's really difficult to talk to a human rather than a chatbot, it's hard to cancel subscriptions, or orders are never delivered. The majority of people were really upset with Murad and would not recommend them.
Not a promising option
The main reasons we are giving Murad a low rating is due to what some people may find as an overabundance of products all claiming to cure acne without real guidance as to which ones are essential for certain issues. We're also worried about the number of negative reviews against the company, so Murad is one of the last brands we'd turn to for acne products.
When you exercise and sweat out excess toxins, it helps clear your skin naturally. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables allows your gut to function properly and often results in clearer skin as well. If you focus on this along with a reputable acne product, you'll likely see drastic changes.
Acne isn't serious or threatening, but can cause lifelong scarring. If you deal with chronic acne and have multiple inflamed cysts and nodules around your face, neck, chest, or back, you'll need to take a careful approach to clearing your skin with a safe, gentle, but aggressive enough product to eliminate acne as soon as possible and restore a healthy microbiome. Your skin is your largest organ and it requires as much nurturing and attention as any other part of your body, so luckily you can find plenty of products online that aim to do just that.
There are many companies that sell acne products online, but which ones will actually work? In a dream world, we want to find something that will get rid of acne overnight, but in reality it could take a few days, weeks or even months. Many companies offer a 60-day money back guarantee, knowing that it takes a period of consistent use to see if a new formula is really effective for you. At this point in your life, you've likely already tried a thing or two and know what ingredients irritate your skin with rashes or drying, which ones seem to do nothing, and which ones kind of work. Pay attention to the ingredients in a product and avoid those that you're either allergic to or that seem to make your acne worse.
Finding a product that will work quickly and that's formulated for your skin type and the level of acne you're dealing with is no easy task. Lucky for you, we've taken a deep look into some popular options and have broken things down. Here are some major things we've taken into account when weighing the options for acne products:
The experts at Top Consumer Reviews have researched the best acne products you can buy online. We hope you are able to unlock clearer skin and find freedom from your acne with one of the formulas that we've evaluated!
Acne is an embarrassing and often painful problem that can last a few days to several years. Unfortunately, many people don't know the ins and outs of acne to best manage their skin issues. Several mysteries shroud the truth when it comes to acne. For example, how your diet affects your skin and how acne is started are often misunderstood. Despite a concerted effort, people are often confused by their pestering pimples. Below is a list of common acne myths to help you better understand and deal with your skin problems.
Myth: Acne is caused by poor hygiene, and frequent/vigorous cleansing heals it.
Truth: Contrary to popular belief acne is not caused by poor hygiene. Acne is caused by a combination of dead skin cells clogging the pores, and an overproduction of oil. Yes, poor hygiene can contribute to this but a dirty face makes no difference, as long as the pores aren't clogged. Along that same note, it is important to wash your face. Most dermatologists recommend twice a day cleansing and, equally important, to not over-wash. In fact, many studies show that over-washing or scrubbing too hard is extremely bad for your skin and can rub it raw. Remember, the best way to keep your pores open and clean is by gently washing twice a day.
Myth: Acne is caused by junk food.
Truth: Most studies report there is no correlation between diet and acne. However, some people do insist that their skin looks better when eating healthier. As it is always a good idea to eat healthy anyways, do what works best for you. But don't expect miracle skin after eating carrots and celery.
Myth: Acne is just a cosmetic disease, and is nothing to worry over. You just have to let it run its course.
Truth: This is never correct. While acne is not life threatening, it is a skin condition that can be very painful and embarrassing. Self-esteem and self-confidence are part of being an emotionally healthy individual. Also crucial to note is that you don't have to let acne "just, run its course". There are many products out there that can help you achieve the complexion you want.
Myth: Acne only affects teenagers.
Truth: Acne can affect anyone, at any time, and anywhere. Age absolutely does not matter. Because of how acne develops, an increase in oil production which can be caused by a hormonal imbalance- teens are often the victims. But many adults, and even babies, can end up suffering from acne.
Myth: Tanning and lots of sun exposure can help clear acne.
Truth: It makes acne worse. This acne myth probably originated from people who could see that slightly tanned or dark skin would more easily hide acne. Saying that the sun or tanning can heal acne is incorrect. Sun exposure, in moderation, can be healthy for the skin and complexion but too much sun, which many people expose them to, is very unhealthy. Aside from drying out the skin, and killing skin cells, which can clog up pores, tanning or too much sun exposure is proven to cause skin cancer. The solution is to always wear oil free sunscreen when planning to be outside for prolonged periods of time.
Myth: There is a cure for acne- you just haven't found it.
Truth: There is 100% no cure for acne. People born acne-free are simply lucky. If you suffer from acne, many products can help reduce it and there are ways to prevent it. But nothing will forever take away the chance to develop acne and that's the ugly truth.
Myth: When having an acne breakout, you can't wear make-up.
Truth: With or without acne, you can always wear make-up. Some make-ups that are heavy or really oily can make your acne worse, but there are many different types of make-up. When suffering from an acne breakout, try powder or mineral based make-ups. These will allow your skin to breathe, and conceal your pimples.
Myth: To get rid of acne, simply pop the pimples.
Truth: Popping pimples is incredibly harmful to your skin and can lead to scarring and a worse onslaught of acne later. This is a very bad idea, and a falsehood to avoid.
Acne is a frustrating and difficult issue to deal with. Many people have turned to non-prescription, over-the-counter products to help deal with the symptoms of acne. Independent reviews of these products can help steer savvy consumers to therapies that have a greater chance of success.
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