Does acne have you down? What about adult acne? Personally, I have battled adult acne on and off for yeas and tried a number of options. My current favorites happen to be the Claro Treatment Device, Home LED Light Therapy, and Peter Thomas Roth Acne Sport Treatment.

The article below, which is syndicated from Total Beauty, looks at the best and worst acne treatment products based on their reader’s reviews. In the worst category, I agree with the raw minerals rating. Murad’s items were on that list and I am OK with those, although there are items that I like better. Also on the worst list is a 10% benzoyl peroxide product and, while I haven’t tried that particular one, I wouldn’t recommend that strength of benzoyl peroxide to anyone. There are better items that won’t dry out your skin so much-something that just usually leads to rebound oil production anyway.  There is also a Neutrogena wash on the list that I have sitting here waiting to be tried. Now I am having second thoughts! The surprise item on the worst list is one very popular seen on TV product.

On the good list, there is a DDF mask that I adore, and a Peter Thomas Roth item that I like. But the M2 product that is very high on the list did nothing for me.  Can’t win them all I guess!

Overall, this is a nice and useful list of products. To see all of the best and the worst  acne treatment products, click on through below.

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The 18 Best and Worst Acne Treatment Products

Are you still dealing with acne even though your youthful high school days are well behind you? Try one of the acne treatment products that readers say works wonders, while skipping the duds

This is a TotalBeauty.com acne article So much for saying “so long” to acne: Even adults are plagued by what was once though to be a teenage woe. As we get older, the spot treatments of our youth are less effective. If you are in your 30s, 40s, or 50s, seek a product that will address your skin’s unique needs. Don’t know where to start? Check out our reader favorites and flops here. Read reviews

The Worst No. 10: Clinique Acne Solutions Post Blemish Formula, $14

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.8

“This product caused one reader to break out again and didn’t even lighten the prior spots. Overall, readers saw 0 percent improvement after using the product on their red, post-acne marks.”

The Worst No. 9: Bare Escentuals RareMinerals Blemish Therapy, $18

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.6

“The product doesn’t stay on the pimple, and the color is so light that it makes my pimple more obvious and it’s four shades lighter than my skin tone so it doesn’t blend.”

The Worst No. 8: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Power-Foam Wash, $7.99

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.5

“This cleanser aggravated what was already problematic on my face, and dried out whatever clear skin remained to the point of flakiness.”

Want to see which one was the worst (and which were the best)? Click here!

Do you have a favorite acne treatment product? What didn’t work for you? Share in the comments here or provide your own comments and rakings on Total Beauty after you browse through the list!

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You’ll find no shortage of tips that tell you to leave your pimples alone during heavy breakouts. Experts will warn you against the dangers of popping pimples or squeezing out blackheads. Busting open those zits will only spread bacteria on your face and increase the likelihood of further breakouts. Unfortunately, there aren’t many products that will speed up the process to get overnight results. Sometimes you just have to suffer through the embarrassment of acne while having red inflamed pimples on your face. The good news is there are products out there that can help to conceal your acne and make it far less noticeable. In some cases, you might be able to hide it so well that not even your best friend can tell what’s going on underneath.

You might be tempted to use foundation to cover up your acne, but that might complicate matters for the worse. While a thick layer of foundation will certainly cover up blemishes, it can also potentially clog pores and lead to more pimples. It’s far better to find a light concealer that matches your skin tone while refining the look with a powder or tinted moisturizer. You can also apply foundation on top of your concealer, just make sure that you don’t put it on first. In cases of less severe acne, a good concealer is all you need especially if it happens to match your skin tone perfectly.

Applying the concealer properly requires care and a certain degree of restraint. You never want to go overboard with the concealer or rub it into your skin. You can either use a brush to gently cover the affected area, or dab a small amount on your fingers and gently pat it dry. Remember, there’s not much point in over doing it if your concealer is noticeable. People might not be able to see your acne, but that discolored spot on your face will be just as obvious.

It’s important to think about general lighting when you’re applying the concealer as well. Sometimes people think they are covered only to have everything revealed in a different type of lighting such as direct sunlight. Think about what type of lighting you’ll be dealing with when you reach your destination and try to match that as best as possible. Also remember to look at your face from different angles to make sure that your concealer blends properly from the side as well.

You can also find medicated concealers on the market that contain components that help to fight acne while covering up your pimples. Unfortunately, while they are able to do two jobs at once – they are never as effective as something that serves a specific purpose. In other words, a separate acne cream and a straightforward concealer will always be more effective than a product that tries to combine both. But for less severe cases of acne, you can get effective results from a medicated concealer, and some of them don’t cost much at all.

At the end of the day, it’s important to wash your face carefully and make sure you get rid of any excess makeup on your face. And remember, concealing your acne is only a temporary solution for the problem. You should still be on the lookout for effective acne treatment systems that work well with your skin type. Concealers might be able to hide the problem, but to deal with it in a long-term and healthy way you need to find preventative measures. If you find the situation is getting out of control, make sure to visit a dermatologist because you might have a type of acne needs prescribed treatment.

These tips on using acne concealers comes to us from our friends at howtogetridofacnehelp.com, a site dedicated to answering your questions about how to get rid of blackheads and acne.

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The teenage years are often a time of stress, peer pressure, and change. Unfortunately, for some teens this means a change in skin. Puberty and other factors often leave the skin looking and feeling unappealing. It can also leave your teen with low self esteem and on the search for skin care products to take care of the problem. The following 10 skin care tips for teenagers can help your teen avoid those dreaded break outs. Share these tips with them today!

1. Cleansing frequently. The cleaner your face is, the less prone you will be to breakouts. Cleanse your face and cleanse it often. It is especially important that the face is cleaned thoroughly after a long day. Make it a part of your nightly regime to wash and clean your face thoroughly.

2. Avoid greasy foods. What you eat will have an impact on your skin. Avoid greasy foods that can cause the breakouts to become worse. The grease from food will escape from your body and can show up on your skin causing ugly breakouts.

3. Don’t squeeze or pick your face. You may be tempted to squeeze the bumps or pick them but this will only make them worse. Use a blemish cream on the instead of try to squeeze them. You don’t want to scare your face.

4. Use oil free make-up. Make-up is also another common reason why teenagers’ faces succumb to blemishes. Any make-up you use should be oil free. If your face is too bad, you may want to avoid using make-up all together. If this is not an option, choose a make-up that is formulated specifically for skin that is prone to break-outs.

5. Eliminate stress. Stress if often a huge factor in the lives of teenagers. From peer pressure to hormone changes, many teenagers stay stressed. Unfortunately, this leads to an increase in the breakouts. Do your best to eliminate the stress.

6. Avoid lotions that may cause breakouts. Putting lotion on the face will also cause an increase in the breakouts. Avoid lotions with fragrances or moisturizers that can leave your face shiny and oily. You are trying to eliminate the oil from your face that causes breakouts, not put the oil on your face. Say no to lotions.

7. Watch out for scams that promise clear skin! Some people want clear skin so badly that they are willing to pay good money for products that will help. Before you fall victim to a scam, make sure that you thoroughly research the product that you are purchasing. This can help you avoid being let down when you don’t get the expected results. It can also save you money. Find a product that actually works before you spend money. Ask your friends what they are using to keep the breakouts under control.

8. Shower immediately after physical activity. Teenagers and physical activity go hand in hand. It is very important that the face is cleansed thoroughly after physical activity. Leaving sweat and dirt on the face will lead to more breakouts. Go straight to the shower once your finish exercising.

9. Don’t smoke. Smoking can also cause a change in your skin as the toxins are released from the body. To avoid breakouts, don’t smoke. Smoking is not only bad for your skin it is bad for your entire body. Don’t get hooked on this habit for your skin’s sake!

10. Be cautious when shaving. Shaving can be very difficult if you have an ugly breakout. Use a shaving cream made for sensitive skin and a good razor if you are going to shave. Cheap razors are likely to make the breakout worse. Shave as least as possible. Wait for your face to heal before you try to shave.

Breakouts are common among teenagers but can be very difficult to deal with. Teenagers must realize that the skin problems will get better as their hormones stabilize. Use the tips above to help your teen get through these tough times. Find ways to build his self esteem. While it will be difficult to overlook the breakouts, it is beneficial to build him up during the times his self-esteem is low. How will you help your teenager overcome these tough times?

Marina is freelance writer and co-owner of specialty decorative mirrors website located at DecorativeMirrorsBoutique.com

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LED home light therapy devices are becoming a popular home treatment for a variety of skin concerns, such as acne, melasma, rosacea, and wrinkles. Some also recommend light therapy as a general anti-aging treatment. But are the devices really effective? Are they safe? The answer is that home LED light devices appear to be quite safe and, at least for conditions such as acne, they are generally effective as well, although professional dermatological treatments likely offer the most benefits.

How LED Light Therapy Works

Light Therapy works by using LED light, which can penetrate the skin better than topical agents. LED light produces energy that acts to reduce inflammation and target bacteria. This happens when bacteria molecules react to the light by producing oxygen. The bacteria is then destroyed because it cannot survive in an oxygenated environment.  The color of light can have different effects.  For example, a red light will target inflammation, while a blue light targets acne causing bacteria.

Light Therapy Effectiveness

LED light treatment for skin conditions such as acne is generally FDA approved, with several home devices being FDA cleared. But measuring the overall effectiveness of home products can be difficult. As Dr. Glenn Kolansky, a Board Certified Dermatologist in New Jersey, explains:

“Many companies make claims  about the effectiveness of treatments, but true clinical based trials of the efficacy of home products are rarely performed. Certain wave lengths of light can penetrate tissue better than others *** LED light has been used to repair ‘recent injuries’ that need more energy. Light close to and near the infared range does have documented benefit for promoting wound healing *** Red LED light is non-invasive but can penetrate deeply into the skin tissue. It has shown some benefit to improving skin tone and texture, however the benefit may be difficult to quantify.”

Dr. Kolansky further notes:

“It is difficult to determine the effectiveness of home machines; pictures are not comparable due to the angle the picture is taken, and the amount of smiling can change things.  It is sometimes difficult to appreciate any difference, or the minimal difference, in before and after photos in regard to wrinkle improvement.”

Also of concern are devices that do not actually use LED light or that have less powerful, and hence, less effective lights. Dr. Neal Schultz, a Board Certified Dermatologist in New York, notes that “the power and the energy and the actual quality of the lights in the at-home devices just isn’t the same as it is in the professional devices.”  Describing the difference between professionally performed light therapy and at home devices, Schultz observed that, in a professional machine, there are approximately 800 LED lights and the treatment usually lasts for about 23 or 24 seconds. In comparison, home treatments normally have a small number of lights and a treatment time of 3-15 minutes. Thus, Schultz states:

“Clearly we’re talking about two very different worlds. If I give the at-home devices the benefit of the doubt and say, ‘Yes, they can possibly have some small level of efficacy,’ I’ll leave you with two thoughts. Number one, of course, buyer beware. And number two, you don’t always get what you pay for, but you can be sure of one thing, you never get more than you pay for.”

Others however, report quite a bit of success. For example, Kathleen Stegman, Founder of Midwest Medical Aesthetics, has used home LED devices in her spa and found them to be especially effective, noting that some of the benefits seen are a decrease in inflammation after spa procedures, decreases in pigmentation, lessening of wrinkles, and a decrease in inflammation in patients who get treatments for acne. Likewise, Debra Jaliman, a New York Board Certified Dermatologist and author of the upcoming book, Skin Rules: Trade Secrets From a Top New York Dermatologist, says that, while not as effective as professional machines, at home LED devices are effective for acne treatment and she would recommend them. However, Jaliman also noted that, for wrinkle treatment, the light in home devices does not penetrate deeply enough to treat visible lines, but they might be effective for prevention.

In general, home light therapy is most likely to be successful for inflammatory conditions such as acne or rosacea (see our previous discussion of the Light Stim Rosacea Light). But the lights might be best used solely as a preventative for wrinkle and anti-aging treatments.

Home Light Therapy Safety

Dermatologists generally report that using a home LED light device is safe. The eye area should be properly protected (most home devices include goggles for the user to wear), and the manufacturer’s instructions should be followed. The user should also purchase only devices that use LED lights. Non-LED devices can cause burns.

The Top At Home Light Therapy Devices

There are a number of LED devices on the market. The following are a few that are regarded as the best home light therapy devices for safety and effectiveness.

Tria Beauty Skin Perfecting Blue Light ($245): For Acne Treatment, a top recommendation is Tria Beauty’s Skin Perfecting Blue Light. Tria reports that their FDA-cleared device is considered one of the most advanced acne light treatments available, delivering the same strength of Blue Light used by dermatologists.

Baby Quasar ($349-$795): Baby Quasar offers some of the best respected home lights, with acne and anti-aging lights in the $349-$399 price range. For those with money to spare, the company also offers a professional strength anti-aging light for $795. Baby Quasar offers a 60-day money back guarantee.

LightStim ($299-$329): The LightStim Company offers lights for treatment of Rosacea, Acne, and Anti-Aging.

For those looking for bargains, there are a few more affordable choices. While budget friendly, these devices do not claim to provide the same strength of light that is used by dermatologists.

The Verilux Clear Wave ($99-$145): The Clear Wave Blue Light is FDA cleared and sold through Brookstone. Consumer reviews of a previous panel version of the clear wave lights have been fairly good.

The Sirius Aurora ($149): The Sirius Aurora offers multiple treatment colors in one device, along with a 60-day money back guarantee.

Tanda Zap ($49): For Acne Spot Treatment, Tanda, which also offers standard blue and red lights, has a cute little item called the Tanda Zap. Meant for use on single blemishes, it offers a rather affordable way to utilize light in acne treatment. Cosumer reviews of the Tanda Zap have been rather favorable.

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After battling adult cystic acne for some time and trying multiple acne remedies, including many prescription acne medicines, such as Differin Gel, Azaelic acid, and Retin A, I bought some Arcona acne treatment products and finally pretty much found my acne cure! I am now using a mix of Arcona skincare products with one Peter Thomas Roth acne treatment product, which I also purchased, and with a few occasional other products that I will list, and I have been almost acne free ever since (It has been around four months now). When something does pop up, this acne treatment system, especially the Peter Thomas Roth product, seems to clear it up fast—within 24-48 hours much of the time, which amazes me!  The process hasn’t been perfect though, with some of the products initially causing my skin to get too dry, so read along as I describe the acne treatment process I am using and details about the products. This is the first time in years that I have found a system that works so well for me.

Peter Thomas Roth Acne Spot Treatment

Lets begin with my holy grail product of the treatment. If I could pick only one item to use this would be it.

Peter Thomas Roth Acne Spot Treatment Lets begin with my holy grail product of the treatment. If I could pick only one item to use this would be it.

Peter Thomas Roth Acne Spot and Area Treatment:This product has been nothing short of amazing for me.  Used as a spot treatment it has cleared up even tough cystic acne for me quickly—as in completely gone within 24 to 48 hours. I would say it is effective for me on cystic acne up to 90% of the time. Only a few spots seem to resist it. It isn’t particularly drying and has a nice ingredient mix that tosses in a bit of several quality active treatment ingredients and then adds a bunch of treatment extracts that can also lessen skin discoloration from the acne. Active ingredients are: 5% Sulfur, Salicylic Acid, and Glycolic Acid. It also adds soothing ingredients such as Aloe and Allantoin, plus has a bunch of extracts that are good for general skin care such as Willow Bark Extract, Panthenol (Pro VitaminB5), Orange Fruit Extract, Grape Seed Extract, Mulberry Leaf Extract, Blueberry Leaf Extract, Licorice Root Extract, Lavender Extract, Echinacea Angustifolia Extract, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C. I have seen some consumer reviews of this product that complained about the sulfur smell. It does have a bit of sulfur odor to it, but I don’t personally mind it. Sulfur is a great treatment ingredient and the smell of the the Peter Thomas Roth spot treatment was not as high as that of many other sulfur products that I have used.

Arcona Daily Skin Care Products The rest of my acne treatment program consists of products from Arcona.

ARCONA Raspberry Acne Bar: I love this raspberry scented acne bar. However, it can be very drying, so I use it only when my skin is especially oily or if I have an unexpected breakout (which has only happened once since I started this regime).  The bar cleanses and contains bacteria killing ingredients. It dries out oil fast, but be careful not to overuse it. I did at first and ended up very dry. I have since learned to use it only once each day and to add a light moisturizer if needed.
ARCONA Tabula Rasa: Tabula Rasa is a treatment toner, and since it is a bit small, it is also a bit expensive as a toner. Because of that, although I loved it, I didn’t repurchase it and have still been OK acne wise. I did feel that it helped with curing my initial breakouts when I first began the Arcona acne treatment regime, but it likely isn’t necessary for prevention.  If you don’t mind the cost, try it, especially for initially clearing things up and then decide whether to keep refilling it.
ARCONA The Solution: This acne and anti-aging treatment serum is my other must have product. Used at night, it kills acne causing bacteria and also contains a number of other treatment agents that address not just acne but aging and general skin care as well. The directions say to use it a couple of time each week, but I use it daily with no problems. I don’t find it to be either irritating or drying. Anyone with sensitive skin who is concerned about using treatment serums might be interested in the ARCONA Gentle Solution instead.

Adjunct Products in the Acne Treatment Regime Along with the staple items above, I also still use my Zeno and Claro acne treatment devices (link is to comparison review) and wear a high SPF sunscreen because I also have melasma. Right now, my favorite sunscreens have been ARCONA Reozone SPF 40 and Physician’s Formula Healthy Wear (link is to previous review), which is super high SPF, physically blocking, lightly moisturizing, affordable, and easy to find at your local drugstore. Wonderful stuff! both of those items do have a fair amount of titanium dioxide, which causes acne in some people. I have had no issues with them though. When I get really dry, I also add a light moisturizer. Aside from the Healthy Wear mentioned above, I love Canyon Ranch (link is to previous review) and have been using it the most.

Below are some shopping boxes for the products (click through to the site to see the boxes if you are reading this in the feed), including a couple of other Arcona products that are part of the acne treatment line that I haven’t tried (the a.m. treatment look especially interesting to me).I usually get Arcona from SpaLook, because they tend to consistently carry the full line. Peter Thomas Roth and Canyon Ranch are also available there. Beauty.com also often has the full Arcona line. I also added a couple of links to Target for Physician’s Formula Healthy Wear, but most people can get that in just about any big box retailer or drugstore store quite easily.

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Home microdermabrasion can be a rather effective treatment for a variety of skin problems. Microdermabrasion can address melasma (a personal concern of mine), acne, acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, and it is good for overall soft skin and brightening. Aside from exfoliating well, dermabrasion removes the dead skin cells through suction, which allows other treatment products to absorb better. I purchased a home microdermabrasion system, the Personal Microderm which I have used a couple of times now. So far, I think it is a keeper and plan to test it more, so watch for a follow up review in a few months. The device costs $179, which is considerably cheaper than having professional treatments done (those often run over $100 per treatment). The device is also now covered and is our top recommendation in our complete home microdermabrasion buyer’s guide. You can view that and learn about a number of additional devices here:  Home Microdermabrasion Reviews.

Using the Home Microdermabrasion System: The Personal Microderm is incredibly easy to use. Simply plug it in and choose from two types of disks – The blue moderate disk for sensitive skin, or the green coarse disk for tougher skin. These disks also come in two sizes – small for facial areas, and large for body areas. Hold the skin tight and move the device in vertical or horizontal lines across the face without lingering in any one area. The device exfoliates the skin, while creating a suction, so it very much feels like you are vacuuming your face. The treatment can be made gentle by using a blue disk with light pressure, or more aggressive by using a green disk with heavier pressure. Home microdermabrasion treatments initially should be done once each week.

I started with the small blue disk and quickly moved up to the green. I have pretty tough skin and did not feel like I got a good treatment until I moved to the green. Sensitive types will want to stick with the blue though. The small disk works well for much of the face, but I moved to the large disk for my main cheek areas and forehead. I had a bit of difficulty with either size keeping suction on my forehead area, but I eventually got it, and I had no problems anywhere else. It doesn’t take long to treat the entire face—maybe 10 minutes tops.

Effectiveness of the Personal Microderm: In terms of results, I noticed softer skin immediately. For achieving nice soft skin, this is the best home exfoliation that you can get in my opinion. The device is effective at removing dead skin cells, and the suction removes them from your face. In regard to melasma, I did not notice any improvement on my main areas, but I also have only done three treatments. As much as anyone with melasma would like a quick cure, there isn’t really anything that can be done at home that will get rid of melasma or serious hyperpigmentation in that short of a times.  I would not expect to see anything noticeable before eight treatments or more. What I did notice in three weeks was a little bit of lightening (we are talking rather tiny here, don’t get overly excited)  in a new area of pigmentation (those typically lighten easier) and some general improvement in my acne. Although next week I will be posting about how other products have pretty much cured my acne anyway. But the overall skin smoothing and such was pretty impressive even upon the first treatment. I’ll post an update a few months from now on how it works on tougher areas of melasma. I had some success a few years ago with professional microdermabrasion, but it wasn’t overwhelming and I wasn’t consistent in getting treatment, so I am curious about how the home system will work on that. Regardless I find it a worthwhile investment in terms of general skin care.

After Effects or Side Effects of Home Microdermabrasion: Microdermabrasion can be a bit deceptive in that it feels gentler than it really is, especially with the home microderm device, so start gentle and move up to more aggressive over time.  After a treatment, it is normal for your skin to be a bit pink. Because of that, be careful with applying treatment serums immediately after a microdermabrasion treatment. Instead, apply a soothing moisturizer and be sure to wear sunscreen. You should be wearing sunscreen all the time anyway, but Microdermabrasion makes the skin more sensitive to sun, making this even more important, especially if you want to have any hope at treating dark spots, such as melasma.

Recommended Adjunct Products: For those battling melasma, I recommend trying PCA Skin (pHaze 13) Pigment Gel (Hydroquinone version) PCA Skin (pHaze 13) Pigment Gel HQ Free (Hydroquinone free version) as a serum, along with your favorite gentle moisturizer in order to maximize the effect of the microdermabrasion. I personally use DHC White Sunscreen for my oily skin to get moisture, sunscreen and lightening all in one.  Anyone fighting wrinkles who like retinoids may like Derma Doctor Poetry in Lotion, although I also recommend caution using a retinol product too close to any given microderm treatment since retinol can also irritate the skin—be especially careful with that if you have sensitive skin.  Those with acne might want to try Arcona products. I’ll be raving about those next week!

Related Reviews:

PCA Skin Care Melasma Treatment

DHC White Sunscreen

Derma Doctor Poetry in Lotion

Want it? Buy it!

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Acne sufferers! Take notice of the CLARO Acne Clearing Device!  This intense pulsed light device (IPL) works quite well at clearing standard acne and, although not developed for use on cystic acne, had some effect on some that was bordering on being that type for me as well.  Before I give my Claro review, here is what the company says about it:

CLARO offers a completely new way to treat acne–no lotions, creams or pills. CLARO is a personal acne-treatment medical device that is based on the same Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technology used by dermatologists worldwide. The IPL system used in the CLARO harnesses a powerful combination of heat and light to treat mild to moderate acne quickly and naturally. CLARO delivers a series of pulses in six seconds that safely penetrate the skin to target the cause of acne.The effective and natural treatment for acne:- Fast and easy to use.- Kills up to 94.8% of acne bacteria after just one treatment.- Results you’ll notice quicker than with competitive devices.- Painless, gentle treatments.- Safe, with no side effects.- Natural alternative to drugs and lotions.- Portable, battery-operated and rechargeable. Color(s): cobalt blue, hot pink, onyx black.

I have been using the Claro for over a month now, with some particularly heavy use on a post-holiday breakout. I think all that bad eating didn’t do well for my skin!  I ran into a couple of minor difficulties using it, but overall I was quite happy with the results.

About the Claro Acne Treatment Device: The Claro uses a pulsed light laser to kill bacteria.  It also generates heat, something that also help treat acne.  It is formulated for use on standard pimples, not for use on cystic acne or blackheads.

Using the Claro Acne Clearing Device: To use the Claro, it is turned on and held over the pimple that is being treated. Two sensors on either side of the light must be in contact with the skin for the device to work. The unit beeps to let you know that contact is made. Then, the button is pressed and the device emits 12 pulses of light over 6 seconds.  After one treatment, the user is instructed to wait a few minutes and then treat the same area again. One pimple should be treated this way no more than once every 8 hours. After one set of two cycles, the device pauses and cant be used again for a minute. This is a safety feature to allow the device to cool.

I found that using the Claro Acne Treatment Device was generally easy and comfortable. It heats up slightly while emitting the IPL pulses, but it is not uncomfortable. If you have ever used a Zeno (link is to previous review), the sensation is similar.  It is not at all like the quick bursts of heat that come from the now discontinued Thermaclear (link is to previous review).  Where I ran into problems at times was lining up the device. It is a bit hard to tell if it is centered over the area of acne being treated, and I have contemplated drawing a black arrow on mine with a sharpie! Also, in areas where the face curves, such as the chin, it can be hard to keep both sensors in contact with the skin. This can result in the treatment cycle being cut short. I sometimes had both cycles cut off, and then had to wait for the device to allow me to use it again.

Effectiveness of the Claro: Here is the great part. I found the device to be very effective, and much more so than the Zeno was for me. The first time that I used it on an area of standard acne, it was practically gone the next day, with only a bit of redness remaining. Needless to say, I was impressed! Then, I tried it on an area that had several pimples, including a bit of particularly inflamed acne. It cleared the entire area up quite well.  Finally, I gave the Claro Device a try on a particularly difficult area of adult acne, that was bordering on being cystic acne, but not quite there yet–keep in mind that the Claro was not developed for use on cystic acne. It did not completely clear that one up, but I felt that it hastened its clearing—something I also feels that the Zeno and Thermaclear do with particularly inflamed or cystic acne. I think that heat generation might be the main cause of help when it comes to the tougher to treat types of breakouts. Again, the Claro does not advertise that it works on cystic acne, and does not recommend its use on that type, so there should be no expectations from it on that type of acne. Any such use is off label and not recommended by the company (or me for that matter). It also won’t do a thing for blackheads, and is not recommended for use on them.

Safety of the Claro: Because the Claro uses a pulsed light laser, the user should never look into the light and it should be used with caution around the eyes. The device is shipped with a set of mini goggles if you would like extra eye protection.  I used them when treating an area underneath my one of eyes.

Price and Product Life: The Claro is $195.  Not mentioned on the sales page is that it also has a product life.  It will last for about 800 six second treatments, which if you are comparing it to the Zeno, comes to about equal in pricing since the Zeno is cheaper but needs its tips replaced more frequently.

Want it? Purchase a Claro

This review is based on a product that was sent to me by a representative of the company. For more, please see my disclosure page.

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When I was having a particularly hard time clearing up an adult acne breakout, I gave the Murad Acne Complex Kit ($97 Value!) a try.  This is a  highly rated kit, but I had mixed results with it, although I have seen rave reviews from others on it. Personally, I would just buy the treatment gel and spot treatment, which I like quite a bit, and use other products in place of the cleanser and lotion.

The kit contains the following:

• Clarify Cleanser: This is a basic no frills cleanser that has Salicylic Acid to help exfoliate and fight acne. I found it a bit drying, but otherwise it is a decent enough cleanser. I like using something much cheaper though, such as a Neutrogena cleanser.
• Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel: With Retinol, Glycolic Acid, and Salicylic, this gel has a nice ingredient mix. It is light and non-irritating. I do really like this one for daily prevention/treatment, and would consider buying it separately.
• Skin Perfecting Lotion: This is an oil free lotion with Retinol. I don’t think the Retinol amount is very high. At least my skin didn’t notice it the way it would with a high concentration.   It is a good basic light lotion, but I prefer using a light drugstore brand or Exuviance Sheer Refining Fluid (read review).
• Acne Spot Treatment: Murad’s spot treatment has 10% sulfur, which is a good antibacterial agent for treating individual areas.  The product has a bit of an odor, but any sulfur treatment will. I liked this one, but I also like using sulfur masks as spot treatments, especially on the more difficult to treat cystic type of acne. DDF makes a great sulfur mask (read review).

Overall, this is a decent enough kit to give a try. I ultimately only really liked two of the four products enough to consider repurchasing them, but the other two were OK. I just prefer other brands.

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I am in love with this mattifier!  Exuviance Matte Perfection is a light, oil-free gel primer.  Aside from acting as a mattifier, it also contains  Mandelic Acid, a naturally occurring Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) found in almonds, and Gluconolactone to improve uneven pigmentation and roughness.  Mandelic Acid can also help a bit with acne.

The primer feels like most silicone primers and absorbs quickly. It can be worn alone as a mattifier and treatment product, but it also provides a nice base for makeup by filling in fine lines and smoothing the skin. When I use it I find that I tend to stay shine free for most of the day with it.

Exuviance has a real winner with this one!

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Bliss Peeling Groovy Facial Serum is a basic light AHA serum that is perfect for easy and effective light exfoliation. I gave it a try over a period of a month and found that I got effective exfoliation with no irritation. I also found that it prevented blackheads for me quite nicely.

This one is a bit on the light side though. I did see a nice increase in general brightness of my skin, but it really had no effect at all on my areas of melasma or other discoloration. So those with more serious skin issues will likely want a stronger product or will want to add an additional item, such as a more powerful lightener or wrinkle treatment, to the mix.

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