Acne Treatment : Beauty and Fashion Tech

Dermaquest Anti-Bacterial Cleanser

When I started having some unusual problems with acne a few months ago, I started researching products. My goal was to find a set of skin care items that would not be likely to contribute to acne, would treat the condition, and would also work with my melasma treatment regime. Dermaquest Skin Therapy Anti- Bacterial Enzyme Cleanser - 8 oz. was my choice in cleanser.

After quite a bit of consideration, I chose Dermaquest because it did not contain any ingredients likely to contribute to acne and it had anti-bacterial functions to help treat it without being too drying. I have been pleased with my choice.

Dermaquest’s Anti-Bacterial Cleanser is a very low foaming cleanser that does a decent enough job at cleaning without drying. It also removes makeup sufficiently well, although I suggest using a separate eye makeup remover. After 6 weeks, I am still happy with it. At first blush the price seem a bit high, but considering that the bottle is 8 ounces, it actually is a pretty good value.

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Popularity: 8% [?]

DDF Moisturizing Dew

DDF Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew provides light oil and fragrance free moisture with antioxidant Grapeseed extract and Vitamins A, C, E. It is free of acne causing ingredients, and a tiny amount is sufficient to give light moisture to the entire face.

I have been using DDF’s Moisture Dew for some time and find it perfect when my skin is on the oily side. Although when I am dry, I need something a bit heavier. This is by far, my all time favorite moisturizer for oily skin and acne treatment, and it comes highly recommended for those who need some light moisture as part of an acne treatment system.

DDF products tend to run a bit on the expensive side. However, the amount of product needed is tiny, making it more of a value than it seems. There are some decent drugstore light moisturizers, but I have yet to find a comparable drugstore product than can provide oil free moisture in a formulation that is as light as this one.

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Popularity: 9% [?]

DS Labs Trioxil Acne Treatment Gel

When I first read about DS Labs Trioxil (bisazulene gel) I was rather curious. I came across it on several message boards and it seemed that about half of the people who tried it loved and half hated it. After more reading, it became clear that many reported an increase in acne when they first began using the product, followed by significant clearing. So there was a trend where those who stuck with it, liked it, while those who quit during the first week or two hated it.

I decided to purchase some and try it. Using an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory compound from chamomile that is encapsulated in nanosomes for time release of the active ingredient, Trioxil is advertised as being as effective as Salicylic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide, without the drying and irritation that those can cause.

I have been using Trioxil for about 6 weeks, but alternating it with another product, so it tends to get used every other day. Consistent with the reports that I read, I experienced an increase in acne the first few weeks that I used it. My theory is that it probably exfoliates to a certain degree, which will bring some of the underlying acne to the surface. Regardless, after a couple of weeks, I cleared up significantly, and while my acne isn’t gone, it is definitely improved 6 weeks later. Unfortunately to get full clearing, I think an appointment with a dermatologist for a prescription is in the cards for me.

Trioxil tingles a bit when used, so those with sensitive skin should be prepared for that. But it does not tingle any more than many salicylic acid products that I have used, and it is not drying or overly irritating. It has a bit of a yellow/tan color to it and a slightly odd scent. Neither is overly problematic, and I don’t notice the scent after it has been on and absorbed, but I would prefer it to be scent free.

I am inclined to repurchase DS Labs Trioxil once my tube is gone, although I might go to using only the Dermaquest Dermaclear formula (read review) that I have using in conjunction with it. I haven’t quite decided yet. At $34 for a tube, Trioxil is cheaper than the Dermaquest product, albeit for a smaller amount of product. But I like Dermaquest Dermaclear quite a bit as well.

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Popularity: 8% [?]

Review: Dermaquest Dermaclear Acne Treatment

DermaQuest Skin Therapy Dermaclear (aka Rejuvaderm) has been my acne treatment of choice for the past six weeks. I chose it after careful research, searching for products with treatment ingredients that might also assist in treating melasma and that were non-comedogenic. Amazingly many of the drugstore acne treatment products, and some of the expensive ones as well, contain acne causing ingredients of fairly high concern.

I have been very pleased with my choice. As active treatment ingredients, Dermaclear contains Salicylic Acid 2%, Azelaic Acid 5%, and Glycolic Acid 10%. This is a fairly strong combination, especially with 10% Glycolic Acid, so those with sensitive skin might want tobe careful with this one because of the strength. Irritating your skin can actually cause acne. Personally, I like the high amount of Glycolic Acid and the addition of Azalaic Acid, because these do double duty for me by also treating melsama. The formula also contains ingredients to soothe inflammation, which makes the strength more tolerable. I have not experienced any issues with irritation or drying from the Dermaquest formulation, but my skin is not particularly sensitive either.

In my six weeks of use, my acne has cleared quite a bit. It hasn’t disappeared, and unfortunately I don’t think it is going to completely clear without a visit to the dermatologist. But I have seen a very large improvement. In addition to Dermaclear, I am using a Dermaquest cleanser and am alternating in Retin-A and DS Labs Trioxil as my other primary acne treatments. I also rotate in DDF Fade Gel for melasma and acne treatment (read review). I will be posting a review of Trioxil in the next week or so.

At $60, Dermaclear is definitely on the expensive side. I find that I need very little, so it lasts fairly long though. I have found it worth the price and will repurchase this item when it is gone.

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Popularity: 16% [?]

DDF Fade Gel 4 Melasma Treatment, Treating Melsama and Acne Together

When my recent favorite treatment for melasma and hyperpigmentation from PCA Skin Care (read review) ran out, I decided to try a similar product from another brand simply for review purposes. That always makes me a bit nervous, because when I find something that works, I hate to switch. But in this case there was no need to worry. DDF Fade Gel 4 has been working wonderfully for me.

DDF Fade Gel 4 Treating Melasma and Hyperpigmentation Skin Care

I chose DDF for a couple of reasons. First, I like melasma treatment products that contain multiple active ingredients, because studies have shown that combining and switching between actives is more effective in producing fading. DDF Fade Gel 4 meets that requirement with some of my favorites, such as glycolic acid, kojic acid, salicylic acid, lemon and lime oils, azelaic acid, and 2% hydroquinone. Second, I have been having some issues with acne, and DDF’s Fade Gel does not contain any ingredients of particular concern for causing acne, while its glycolic, salicylic, and azelaic acids can treat and prevent acne — Might as well get double duty from a product when you can!

Using the DDF Fade Gel in the mornings, and in combination with an evening application of Renova (Retin-A), along with a daily sunscreen, such as Philosophy A Pigment Of Your Imagination SPF 18 (Read Review), I have continued to see further lightening on pigmented areas. Of most importance, there has not been any darkening, despite the fact that I decreased my treatment regime to one application per day so that I could use the evening to focus on acne. I also saw no increase in my acne from using the DDF product and believe it helped in my overall treatment of both my acne and melsma.

Overall, I give DDF fade Gel 4 a big thumbs up and highly recommend it for melasma treatment or for general hyperpigmentation or discoloration. I particularly recommend it for those who are also treating acne or seeking to prevent breakouts. Something to note is that PCA Skin Care was fine for acne as well, so I find it and the DDF product to be pretty interchangeable. In the future I will likely buy whiever is cheaper or on sale.

For those concerned about hydroquinione, DDF makes DDF Intensive Holistic Lightener which is a hydroquinone free lightener. I haven’t tried that one and personally prefer hydroquinone since I have no problems with it. However, some are sensitive to hydroquinone or concered about cancer risk reports with it. For those who want to avoid it, the ingredient list is pretty good with the following ingredients: albatin, arbutin, bearberry extract, mulberry extract, licorice, skull cap, azelaic and glycolic acids. I wish kojic acid was in there though.

If you go with this one, I suggest combining it with Philosophy a Pigment of Your Imagination, linked above, in order to add some kojic acid to the mix. You should be wearing sunscreen anyway for the best treatment, so you might as well get double duty from your choice of product!

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Popularity: 15% [?]

Philosophy a Pigment of Your Imagination Sunscreen, Melasma Treatment in a Sunscreen

Everyone should be concerned about sun exposure. If you aren’t all that worried about things like skin cancer (you should be), then remember that the sun also causes wrinkles (ack!). If you happen to have melasma, hyperpigmentation, or similar discoloration, it becomes even more important.

Philosophy a pigment of your imagination spf 18 is a particularly good sunscreen for melasma sufferers because it contains treatment ingredients. It also can be good for those who suffer from acne because of a general lack of acne causing ingredients. Aside from the melasma treatment actives, I chose to try it partly because several of my favorite sunscreens have been causing breakouts for me lately.

The idea of adding skin lightening active to sunscreen intrigues me. I love the idea and am surprised that more companies haven’t done so. DHC has a sunscreen that I absolutely adore with arbutin (read review), and Philosophy’s sunscreen contains both arbutin and kojic acid. By adding actives that act to block pigmentation, the sunscreen does double duty, because the damaging rays are blocked and so are some of the skin reactions that lead to melasma. Hopefully more companies will pick up on this.

Philosophy a pigment of your imagination is a pretty good standard SPF 18 sunscreen. I found that it absorbs OK, albeit a bit slowly. After a few week’s use, I have not broken out from it and am generally quite happy with it. Using a pigment of your imagination in conjunction with my daily melasma treatment, I have continued to see lightening in some areas, and certainly have not experienced worsened pigmentation in any areas.

The sunscreen does have an odd yellow tint to it from the kojic acid, but that is not apparent on the skin. It also is not all that moisturizing, so if you use your sunscreen for light moisture, you might need to add something with this one. I find that on particularly dry days, I need to add a moisturizer. There also is a bit of a packaging issue with it. Because it is in a tube with a flat cap, it would be standard to store it sitting upright on the cap. But this causes the sunscreen to run into the cap area. Then when the tube is opened, there is always a good amount of sunscreen all over the top. I find it a bit annoying, although it won’t stop me from purchasing the product again.

The sunscreen also lacks a physical blocker such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Instead, it has purely chemical blockers. I prefer to have a physical blocker in my sunscreens. However, I have taken care of that issue by generally wearing a mineral powder foundation or finishing powder that contains a physical blocker (most do) over my areas of melasma. When I plan to go outdoors without makeup for a length of time, then I choose one of my other sunscreens that contains physical blockers.

I generally purchase Philosophy products online, but they are also available at various department stores and cosmetics stores.

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Popularity: 15% [?]

Clean and Clear Advantage Acne Treatment

I have crazy skin. It is dry in spots, acne prone in others, and alternates between needing tons of winter moisture and lots of summer oil control.

While I don’t get a lot of acne, I am prone to breakouts along my jaw line and on my lower cheeks. When I had more issues than normal recently, I went looking for something to add to my skin care routine that would not dry me out too much. Turns out that I stumbled upon a great product!

Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment is a 2% Salicylic acid spot treatment product, formulated in a gel that stays on for much of the day. It also does an amazing job of treating, without drying.

The first time I used this gel, I was rather broken out, but initially tested it on just one spot. I saw results overnight and the spot was gone by the next day. That left me pretty darn impressed, so I tried it across the entire breakout. Things cleared up rather quickly and even though I tended to pack the product on, I had no irritating drying like I would get with a benzoil peroxide product. So the upshot is that I love this stuff! My husband has taken to using it as well. It doesn’t seem to do a whole lot for cystic acne type spots, but I love it for standard pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads.

Clean and Clear makes a number of products for the Advantage acne treatment line. Those looking for a full kit might be interested in the Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Control Kit which contains a cleanser, a moisturizer, and the acne spot treatment.

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Popularity: 5% [?]