Acne Treatments Reviews

There is no shortage of information on effective acne treatments, but we found the most credible advice from well-known cosmetics expert Paula Begoun, author of Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me. Her book contains dozens of reviews for various acne treatment products as well as useful information on treatment regimens. Her website, CosmeticsCop.com, also serves as a great resource of information and reviews. Popular beauty magazines such as Allure, InStyle and Health test name-brand acne treatments as part of their annual beauty awards and provide short reviews of the products that are chosen as winners -- but testing methodology is unclear and the reviews amount to merely a line or two of description. Dermatology journals and studies also provide valuable insight into which products are most effective. There are several websites that claim to review acne products but upon deeper investigation, we found that many of them are sponsored by the brands that they recommend and few, if any, other products are reviewed there. Consumer Reports provides information on the dangers of certain prescription medications used for acne, but does not cover acne treatments in depth.

Acne treatments are sold by virtually every skin care company. In fact, most companies carry a complete line of acne care products. While many of them are similar, however, not all are equal. Paula Begoun, author of the highly acclaimed book Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, says "This is the one category of products where needless irritation is not the exception, but rather the unfortunate norm." This is because many over-the-counter acne treatments contain harsh ingredients like alcohol and menthol that might make the skin "tingle" but don't help clear up acne. Clean & Clear Cooling Daily Pore Toner (*est. $5 for 8 oz.), for example, lists alcohol as its second ingredient and also includes menthol for an added "cooling" sensation. According to Begoun, these ingredients are needlessly harsh and can actually do more damage by overly drying the skin. Many experts believe that drying out the skin with harsh products can cause the skin to overcompensate by producing yet more oil, which can cause even more blemishes.

Electronic home treatments for acne

The ThermaClear Acne Treatment Device (*est. $150) is a relatively new product that has been drawing a lot of attention. It is a handheld device that is placed against a blemish and uses thermal energy (heat) to neutralize the bacteria that cause acne and to speed the healing process of active blemishes. Tests for a competing manufacturer's product show 100 percent improvement after five days of use as compared to 76.5 percent improvement with a placebo. Paula Begoun, however, points out that the placebo in the test was simply using nothing on blemishes. It is, therefore, unclear if other topical treatments may be just as effective. The ThermaClear Acne Treatment Device (*est. $150) is similar to the Zeno Acne Clearing Device (*est. $150) but it delivers more powerful bursts of heat. According to USA Today, the ThermaClear requires only two seconds per blemish at about 212 degrees Fahrenheit as compared to 2.5 minutes at about 118.5 degrees Fahrenheit for the Zeno. Daniel Rigel, a dermatologist and professor at NYU quoted in USA Today, says there are not a lot of studies on this kind of treatment, "but it may be something to try." Both devices have been approved by the FDA for existing pimples, but they will not reduce the occurrence of breakouts.

Overall, there just isn't enough data to confirm that these electronic devices work effectively. User reviews are also mixed. While some users posting comments to Amazon.com say the ThermaClear device helped clear up pimples, an equal number of users report no improvement. For now, we have chosen not to include an electronic home treatment for acne in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers.  ... Continued

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Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control 3-in-1 Hydrating Acne Treatment is one of the most powerful salicylic acid products at the drugstore for all-over blemish control. Clean & Clear Advantage Invisible Acne Patch is an acclaimed salicylic acid spot treatment that allows for easy makeup coverage. Proactiv Solutions 3-Step System combines benzoyl peroxide and glycolic acid in one simple-to-use acne-fighting kit. Differin is a proven prescription retinoid that can clear up acne with less of the harsh side effects found in other retinoids. While the ThermaClear Acne Treatment Device is recommended in a handful of reviews, clinical research on this electronic product is inconclusive and user reviews are mixed.