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I’ve always been a big proponent of a good multi-step skincare routine, but even my diligent use of lotions and potions doesn’t seem to save me from hormonal breakouts. Today I want to talk about the importance of having a secondary beauty regimen for those specific mini-emergencies. In my case, sometimes the breakouts are very mild and disappear on their own in a matter of days, but every so often I develop several painful cystic acne bumps that linger on for weeks or even months to come. Unfortunately, I’m right in the middle of such incident right now, so I’m currently trying to develop a secondary routine that specifically targets hard to treat breakouts.
While shopping at Target last week I came across the new Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Control Kit [$19.99, available here] and decided to give it a try. It contains a combination of three different products that work in tandem combat multiple causes of acne and help keep skin looking healthy and beautiful.
The kit includes:
- ADVANTAGE Acne Control Cleanser
- ADVANTAGE Fast Acting Treatment
- ADVANTAGE Hydrating Gel Moisturizer
While I normally prefer an extensive multi-step regimen, I always pare it down to a basic three-step routine until at least the swelling goes away. My skin responds well to the basics, and doesn’t mind if I deprive it of the usual array of actives for a few days. Right now I am still trying to deal with a few painful cystic bumps that formed last week: two on my chin and a really big one on my cheek. The problem with cystic acne is that it feels a lot worse than it looks, and I tend to underestimate how bad a breakout is going to be before it’s too late. This time I should have started the treatment sooner, but now I am stuck dealing with the pain and the inflammation. Thankfully, Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Control Kit provides a quick three-step solution.
1 // CLEANSE: Nothing can combat the breakouts better than proper cleansing, and Clean & Clear ADVANTAGE Acne Control Cleanser is formulated to do just that. A thick white paste that feels more like a salve contains 5% Benzoyl Peroxide, which is a high enough concentration to exfoliate the grime, oil, and dead cells, allowing the skin to breathe and repair itself more effectively.
This is a non-foaming cleanser with slightly acidic pH 4.5, which is perfect for gentle exfoliation. If you want to read more on why I prefer low pH cleansers, check out this blog post.
2 // MOISTURIZE: A solid moisturizer is a must, because skin needs plenty of moisture to function properly. Don’t confuse moisture with oiliness though, because even oily skin needs to be regularly moisturized. During my hormonal outbreaks I opt in for lightweight gel creams that feel weightless on the skin, while creating a protective barrier to help it retain moisture.
Right now I’m using Clean & Clear ADVANTAGE Hydrating Gel Moisturizer, and it definitely makes the skin feel hydrated and doesn’t clog the pores.
3 // TREAT: I always apply topical treatments on top of my moisturizer, although I’ve seen various sources suggesting otherwise. I just think that this gives my problem areas the opportunity to soak in all of the goodness from the moisturizer, while the treatment will still do its job. Speaking of treatments, Clean & Clear ADVANTAGE Fast Acting Treatment is said to diminish the appearance of pimples in just 4 hours, which is what drew me to this kit in the first place. I didn’t count the time, but my cystic bumps definitely look better after being put on this “skincare diet” for the past few days since I started using these products.
And don’t forget the sunscreen! When using any exfoliants, whether they’re physical [scrubs, microdermabrasion etc] or chemical [like these treatments] it’s important to remember that sun protection is not optional. Otherwise you’re at much higher risk of developing permanent skin discolorations, wrinkles, and even making that acne situation worse, which would be totally counter-productive. Find a product that works well for your complexion [I prefer physical sunscreens with Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide] and stick to it every day, so your future self can thank you for that later!
Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Control Kit is available in the beauty section at your local Target. Look for Complexion Care area, and it should be right there with the rest of the anti-acne skincare.
Do you have a go-to treatment for hormonal breakouts? Have you ever experienced cystic acne? Did you spot this kit at your local Target? Let me know in the comments below!
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