Proactiv And Murad Acne Treatments

Despite the fact that there seems to be a plethora of acne products that solely target teenage acne, there are actually quite a number of products that are aimed at adult acne as well. The two that I recommend the most are Proactiv Solution 3-Step System in the extra strength formula and Murad Acne Complex Kit. This recommendation comes from many years of trying out various products from different brands, ranging from over-the-counter products from drug stores and department stores, and prescription medications. None of them seemed to get me the results I wanted - even after using Proactiv for over 4 years. It was not until Proactiv came out with their extra strength formula, consisting of 7% benzoyl peroxide as the active ingredient, that I actually saw continuing results of less acne. Unfortunately though, that was not enough for someone who suffers from oily skin and severe acne. What made the difference was using the Murad Acne Complex Kit simultaneously.

Haven't you ever heard the saying that your skin/hair/body will get used to the same products and will no longer become effective if you use only one kind for years? Well if you haven't, there you go. It's true. It appeared for a while that my skin became used to Proactiv and consequently lost the effect of clearing my acne, since I used it for over 4 years. My skin seemed to get used to the 2.5% benzoyl peroxide that the normal formula of Proactiv contained and my pimples appeared to have gotten immune to that medication. But the extra strength formula that I had started to use about 6 months ago gave my pimples a wake up call and the more potent 7% formula immediately began to clear my skin. And to make sure they do not get use to the extra strength Proactiv as they did with the regular Proactiv formula, I began using Murad Acne Complex Kit as well.

Murad Acne Complex Kit contains salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and retinol to effectively treat acne. Hence the combination of active ingredients found in these two separate product lines allows my skin to get the benefits of the most effective ingredients that treat acne.

It is also reassuring to know that both products from Proactiv and Murad were created by well-known, experienced dermatologists that have gone on to develop their own line of successful skincare products. Proactiv was created by Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields and Murad was developed by Dr. Howard Murad himself.

Both lines of products have also received great reviews and testimonials, and both are fairly affordable (around $60 for a 60-day supply) and fairly easily attainable. Proactiv Solution in the extra strength formula is available through the catalog only (the regular formula and other products are available online and at kiosks in local malls) and Murad Acne Complex Kit and other products are available at most beauty stores and online as well.

My current skin care routine consists of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing with the Murad Acne Complex Kit in the morning and cleansing, toning, and moisturizing with Proactiv extra strength formula in the evening and as cliche as it sounds, my skin has never looked better.

Sure, I still have pimples and my skin is not flawless, but it is the most smooth it has been since I hit puberty. But it is important to remember that not all skin react the same way to the same products so the effects of the products will vary from one person to another.

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August 12 2009 | Acne | No Comments »

Zeno Acne Clearing Device: A Product Review

Although there are a great variety of products on the market that promise to make pimples disappear fast, most of them leave your skin dry, irritated, and worst of all...still blemished.

Although I did not suffer from acne as a teenager, upon becoming a mom and experiencing the joys of hormonal changes, sleep deprivation and stress in general, my skin has decided to allow unsightly pimples to claim prime real estate everywhere from my nose to my forehead and even my chin. Therefore, I am no stranger to every zit zapping product on the market from chemicals to botanical's, they all take up space in my medicine cabinet, and very few have effectively helped me get rid of my blemishes in record time, until now.

A month ago I discovered a product called Zeno at my local discount store. Priced at $149 I was a little aghast and decided on the spot that it was not going to be worth trying. Curiosity did get the best of me after a few days and I decided to research the product and kept reading glowing reviews and praises about this little cell phone-sized machine called Zeno that promises to zap zits within 24 hours. The 30 day money back guarantee was the icing on the cake, so I ran out and got one and have been nothing but pleased with my purchase.

Aside from being a mom of two young children, I also work as a fashion model. To have an acne break-out is to be out of work until my skin clears up. Most creams, ointments, gels, etc. have always either dried up my skin while the pimple still stayed in place, or would do absolutely nothing at all. This would mean that I would find myself out of commission for up to two weeks, as I tend to get cystic acne and the inflammation from those can often last for over 10 days. You can hide redness with make-up but not a huge lump! Going to the dermatologist for a cortisone shot is a great way to get rid of those huge buggers, but some of us may not have the time, insurance, or even a good dermatologist nearby to take that approach. That's why Zeno is such a great alternative for getting rid of blemishes quickly.

What Zeno has done for me is allow me to catch a pimple as it is starting to appear, and flatten it within 24 to 48 hours. It's amazing! So, how does Zeno work? What is this magic apparatus? Well, it's not so much magic as it is science. Zeno is a hand held device with a small tip that you apply directly to your pimple. The tip heats up to a pre-set temperature, which is high enough to cause the bacteria in your pimple to, in effect, destroy itself, yet low enough to not burn your skin. With two or three treatments within a 24 hour period, your average sized pimple virtually disappears. Some redness from the pimple may remain for a day or two, but the inflammation disappears completely and you can dab on some concealer and look as if you had never battled a blemish in your life.

The makers of Zeno, Tyrell Co., state that the device is not intended for cystic acne and may not work to eliminate it. However, I have used it on my cystic pimples and have had great results as have several others that I have recommended this product too. With a cystic pimple I have applied Zeno to it one to two times more than with a regular pimple and within 48 hours the mass and inflammation of the cyst has gone down significantly. As I mentioned before, cystic pimples will last for up to 10 days on my face, sometimes even longer than that. So, you can imagine that a 48 hour turnaround has been a dream come true for me! As with anything, you should use caution and also know how your skin reacts to low levels of heat. Some people that use Zeno have no discoloration whatsoever after applying it, while others will have a little light red spot where they used the device which fades away within a few minutes. If you have hyper sensitive skin, I would recommend asking your dermatologist if Zeno is the right option for you.

While some people feel nothing when they apply Zeno to their pimples, I do notice the heat from the thermal tip. On more sensitive areas like my cheeks and around my mouth it burns a little at first and then my skin becomes used to the sensation and I don't feel anymore discomfort. On areas with tougher skin, like my chin and forehead, I don't feel even the slightest twinge from the heat. Everyone is different though, so while one consumer may feel no pain at all, another may feel a bit of a burning sensation. In my opinion, a little bit of burn is worth a lot of pimple removal!

With a price tag of $149, it's easy to see how this product may get passed up, especially since it's located in the same aisle as acne creams and washes. Why buy something that expensive when the item next to it is an acne scrub that costs $3? Well, the answer is simple: It works. When I first saw the price, I have to admit that I was put off, but after I calculated how much money I had spent in just one year on ointments, acne treatment kits, antibiotics, and the works, $149 was just a drop in the bucket! For a while I was using a very well-known acne treatment product that was costing me almost $60 every two months. After almost half a year of using it, with unremarkable results, I was out of much more money than my Zeno cost!

So if pimples are plaguing you like they were plaguing me, and you've tried everything to no avail, give Zeno a try. You have nothing to lose but those nasty zits. I know that mine has helped me feel ready for the camera rather than wanting to run for cover, and believe me, there were days I wanted to walk around with a paper bag over my head. I love getting even with my acne now!

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August 12 2009 | Acne | 1 Comment »