CLEAR Extra Strength Acne Treatment with 5% Benzoyl Peroxide

3 Reviews

1. 

   hushedCurlew9

   Reply

   PROS: My teen that has moderate acne uses this. It’s the secret weapon she’s been looking for. It works very well and still doesn’t irritate her sensitive skin. No artificial scents. No animal testing. Price is decent.

   CONS: Is sometimes just to strong for her when she’s more sensitive. And I guess it would be nice for me if it came in a huge bottle too, to save money on.

   APPLICATION TIPS: She uses the CLEAR cleanser. Then she uses the regular strength toner (in the day) and the extra strength toner (at night.) She then applies Paula’s 2.5% benzoyl peroxide (in day) and 5% benzoyl peroxide (at night). She then follows up with the Clean & Clear Dual-Action Moisturizer in the white bottle to keep flakes away.

   ALTERNATES: We’ve tried Neutrogena for acne, Proactive (old and new version), Clean & Clear, Kiehls, Peter Thomas Roth, Oxy, Philosophy, and many other acne solutions. We always still had to struggle to help her keep it somewhat under control. She is now virtually clear faced because of Paula’s products.

2. 

   cheerfulSeafowl6

   Reply

   User profile:
   Sex: male
   Age: 22
   Phototype: 3(MAC NC40)
   Skin: oily all over, very oily on the nose only.

   I have been suffering from acnes since 14, at first I only had a lot of whiteheads and little papules. As time goes on, I’ve progressed to moderate-acne skin: whiteheads, blackheads, pustules, papules, never cysts tho. They came in moderate number, usually 2 papules with some accessorizing pustules. They never came sporadically, so, 2 pustule, clear, then 1-2 pustule again. Whiteheads come and go, and not my major concern, they seem to decrease in number as I age. Blackheads are also not my concern, they come and go, but quicker than whiteheads.

   So that’s my acne-severity history. Anyway, I’m currently dealing with monthly pustules that always successfully left ice pick scars. I don’t mind the pustules or redness, really, but I can’t stand the permanent scars they left behind, so I must stop them.

   I’ve never actually opened up myself to a daily application of benzoyl peroxide actually, I’m used to apply it on-the-spot only, and I’ve never tried any concentration above 2.5%
   Mainly I didn’t want to use BP because of this, “oxygen and free radical” thing, ending up looking older than I should be is just terrifying(and ending up blaming it on acne medication is just embarassing to tell). Anyway, I’ve made up my mind to include BP in my daily skincare regime, since the thoughts of “looking young with a lot of acne scars” isn’t necessarily good either. Plus I have faith in Paula’s products and her teachings(about skin care and myth bustings)

   My SC includes:
   Cleanser: Clean&Clear Essential Foaming Facial Wash
   Sunscreen: Clinique Face/Body Cream SPF15
   Moisturizer: Clinique Super Rescue Antioxidant Moisturizer Dry-Combo
   BHA: Paula’s Choice Weightless Body Treatment
   BP: Paula’s Choice Acne Fighting Treatment Extra Strength
   *all my SC products have been used for more than 4months and don’t cause breakouts, at least on my face, BHA 1 month, and BP just started.

   Week 1:
   I had 2 pustules each had 2-3 “heads”, yuck, disgusting, I know, but I can’t help but to be detailed(you guys want to know whether this stuff works or not, right?) On my first week, I was pretty aggressive in application:
   AM: BHA+BP+sunscreen
   PM: BHA+BP+moisturizer
   The result? Impressive, my disgusting pustules calmed themselves down, redness was minimalized and they dried out/matured quickly to the point I had to push them out, they’re begging for it! But I did it VERY GENTLY, if a minor push didn’t get them out after 3-4 tries, forget it, there’ll be another days. However, this regime’s very aggressive for the first-timer of BHA+BP combination, my face was experiencing sunburn symptoms, it’s very dry, flakey, and a bit darker(I wouldn’t call it red-er), and very sensitive.

   Week 2:
   Decided altho the result’s impressive, I think I’m doing more harm than good on my skin. Strictly using BHA+BP only at night. The result remained the same, I still got “sunburned” in fact, I think I was being so invasive that my skin was irritated, developing minor papules(that can be easily tackled off)

   Week 3:
   I couldn’t take it anymore, I’ve avoided sun exposure and tanning beds but I still looked tan and irritated, make up couldn’t do the covering thanks to the flakes.(Yes I do use make ups on special ocassions only.) In that 3rd week, I did some research, collecting premises to reach the most logical way out to this twisted situation:

   “BP works by injecting oxygen on to the skin, the amount of free radical is small. However the application of antioxidant(which my moisturizer contains), MAY interferes with how BP works, and vice versa. I assume BP works quickly that waiting a few minutes before applying antioxidants will suffice.”(I got this from Dear Paula’s Letter.)

   “Using salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide together increases risk of irritation.”(I think I got this from medical book and drugs.com or fda something.)

   “BHA and BP increase sun sensitivity.”

   Therefore, in conclusion, I changed my regime:
   AM: sunscreen(avoiding use of BHA/BP on daytime)
   PM(odd dates 1,3,5..): BHA then moisturize
   PM(even dates 2,4,6..):
   BP(wait 10mins) then moisturize
   *BP’s applied all over the face, avoiding eye area and lips.

   Week 4:
   My skin’s slowly getting better, whiter again finally, acnes are gone, for now. No more flakes, redness, or tan-looking face.

   5th Week:
   Bumping it to 4, I’ve seen a positive progressive result. I’m done using it every other day, I’m giving BHA+BP combination a shot again, this time, it doesn’t burn, I’m not sure why, but I’m guessing because my skin is getting used to it. Btw, now after I slather my BHA to face and neck, instead of immediately applying BP, I wait 5mins,top,just to make sure the BHA worked and dried up first, then apply BP, wait 10mins, moisturize. No more stinging or burning by using them this way(again, it might be because my skin’s already de-sensitized, rather than new application technique, but try it if you’re dealing with stinging or redness, wouldn’t hurt to give it a shot.)
   AM: sunscreen
   PM: BHA(wait 5min) > BP(wait 10min) > moisturize.

   Will let you know until 8th week to give you all a solid conclusion of product efficiency.

3. 

   ardentCoconut1

   Reply

   This is HG – I will continue to repurchase. This is $17.95 for 2.25oz.

   Background: I have normal/combo (slightly dry/slightly oily depending on season) acne-prone skin that has dramatically improved since I’ve been more diligent about potentially irritating ingredients (ie alcohol). I don’t have sensitive skin in the conventional sense – my skin is very tolerant of products. However, I would breakout consistently using anything even just remotely not suggested for acne-prone skin. Before buying a product I refer to beautypedia.com, the cosmetic ingredient dictionary (on same site), and MUA! My acne used to be the painful bumps under the skin that would take weeks to surface. Since using Paula’s Choice products I only get the occassional spot. My current skincare regimen is used in tandem with regular workouts. For me, this alleviated all hormonal breakouts (because working out balances your hormones, and sweating changes the PH of your skin – don’t know if the PH part matters for acne though).

   Usage: I use whenever I have a spot or feel a blemish underneath the skin. I will use a thicker amount to spot treat at night, and a thin layer if I’m using it during the day wearing makeup.

   The is a neutral cream base with a nice slip consistency. It doesn’t pill or leave white spots when used in a thin layer. Under makeup, even in a thin layer it doesn’t show up. This makes a good mattifying base for oily skin. You must let it dry before applying makeup, and I find it generally takes longer to dry than a toner/moisturizer, for example.

   Results: It’s effective. It gets rid of spots. I don’t have irritation with the 5% concentration, but my skin isn’t particularly sensitive. It is mattifying when used in a thin layer under oily areas. It looks good under makeup (ie invisible), and I have no complaints.

   This is the best benzxoyl peroxide cream I’ve tried. Very practical because it’s multi-functional. A staple treatment product for acne-prone skin.

   Scope out the website before you buy. I only buy PC products on sale, and they frequently rotate. Also check for online codes, because I’ve doubled up my discounts that way.