Posts Tagged “clearasil”

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There are two very popular anti acne products on the market that are topical lotions (put directly on your skin) to get rid of your acne. Proactiv and Clearasil. Proactiv has become very popular over the last few years while Clearasil has been around for many many years.

Proactiv Solution

Proactiv is the new kid on the block. You have probably seen the infomercials, ads and kiosks in the malls all touting the Proactiv system and the nice tanned picture of Vanessa Williams or Jessica Simpson. Proactiv is a three step system consisting of a cleanser, a toner, and a repairing lotion. The cleanser has a main ingredient of Benzoyl Peroxide, the toners main ingredients are Glycolic acid and glycerine and the repairing lotion also has a main ingredient of Benzoyl Peroxide.

The thing that I really like about the Proactiv system is the fact that it is a very integrated system and should treat your skin properly by having a system that looks after each of the aspects of skin care and using the proven power of Benzoyl Peroxide. The problems that I see with the Proactiv system is firstly the price, it is a very expensive system to buy and secondly this a product that is built on a marketing message and not just sound medical advice. Look critically at the products before you buy them.

Clearasil

Clearasil is a large family of products that are mostly based on using Triclosan and Salicylic Acid. The company sells everything from face washes and overnight gels to Cleansers and wipes. Triclosan is an antifungal agent and is used in many products not just for acne products. Salicylic Acid slows down the cells in the follicles from cracking which prevents blockage. It also assists in breaking down the whiteheads and blackheads.

Clearasil has a fantastic breadth of a product line, I am really in favor of an integrated skin regimen of a toner, cleaner and overnight cream and Clearasil offers them all. The price for Clearasil products is OK, they charge more than the product is worth but lets face it Clearasil have the market and a proven product. The one drawback is a little bit of product confusion, Clearasil tries to have every product possible and your really do not need more than three. If you buy the Clearasil products then make sure you think of when you will use each one every day and what it will cost you.
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I just ran across this list of active ingredients that are common to different acne treatments. Most of us are used to seeing Clearasil and Proactiv but to know what these products contain is at least as important as the ads that they have on TV

Used to treat mild, moderate and severe acne, the effectiveness of over-the-counter medications lies in the product�s active ingredients. The active ingredient benzoyl peroxide reduces acnes; whereas, salicylic acid helps correct abnormal skin shedding. To choose what to use look at what the ingredient is expected to fix. I have included common active ingredients used in over-the-counter acne medications sold in the United States. Check with your dermatologist or pharmacist before combining acne products.

Alcohol and acetone
Found together in some over-the-counter medications used to treat acne, acetone works as a degreasing agent and alcohol has mild antimicrobial properties. When used alone, acetone tends to have no effect.

Benzoyl peroxide
The mainstay of over-the-counter acne treatment, benzoyl peroxide works to clear up acne by reducing acne and removing dead cells from the skin to prevent comedones. Use of benzoyl peroxide should be continued after acne clears to prevent new lesions from forming. It was one of the first agents found to be effective in treating mild acne and has been used in acne treatment for decades. The principal side effect is excessive dryness of the skin, so be sure to follow directions and not use more than stated unless otherwise instructed by a physician. Care should also be taken when applying it to avoid the bleaching effect. Benzoyl peroxide has been known to bleach hair, sheets, towels and clothing. For this reason, an old shirt should be worn after applying benzoyl peroxide to acne on the back or chest. Benzoyl peroxide is available over-the-counter as a lotion or gel.

Herbal, organic and natural products
Over-the-counter products labeled �herbal,� “organic” or “natural” are marketed as acne treatments but their effectiveness has rarely been tested in clinical trials. The value of such treatments is generally unknown.

Resorcinol
A popular ingredient in over-the-counter acne medications, resorcinol controls small acne lesions and is frequently combined with sulfur in products at the drugstore.

Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is effective in treating non-inflammatory acne lesions, salicylic acid helps correct the abnormal shedding of skin cells and unclog pores to resolve and prevent lesions. Salicylic acid does not have any effect on sebum production or P. acnes. Like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid must be used continuously. Once stopped, pores clog and acne returns. Salicylic acid is found in many over-the-counter acne products, including lotions, creams and pads. It may be irritating to the skin.

Sulfur
Sulfur has been used for more than 50 years in combination with other agents, such as alcohol, salicylic acid and resorcinol and is found in many over-the-counter acne medications. While long used to treat acne, it is not known how sulfur works to clear acne. Due to its unpleasant odor, sulfur is not frequently used alone as an acne treatment.