Overview
Both aspirin and Salicylic Acid are derivatives of the bark of the White willow tree and have a long tradition of being used as a healing balm. Salicylic Acid produces many of the same astringent and analgesic effects as aspirin, and therefore has recently become a leading ingredient in acne-treatment formulas. Since Salicylic Acid’s origin is much more natural than Benzoyl Peroxide, most medical professionals now prefer Salicylic Acid over other treatments.

Salicylic Acid has been found to be one of the most effective treatments for acne, since it clears clogging particles out of the pores and eliminates many of the blemishes caused by an acne infection. It also encourages the natural skin cell replacement process, whereby old and dead skin is removed to make way for fresh and young skin cells, which are fresh and devoid of acne. Most over-the-counter products with Salicylic Acid contains between 0.5% and 2.0% solution. Scientists have found that the best acne treatments contain Salicylic Acid at its maximum strength concentration of 2.0%, which will treat even the most stubborn forms of acne. 

Pros
- Treats acne and clears pores without drying or irritation

- Superior to other acne-treatments, including Benzoyl Peroxide

- At a strength of 2.0%, can treat even the most stubborn forms of acne

Cons
- Very few products contain Salicylic Acid at 2.0% concentration - most only use 0.5%

Summary
Since Salicylic Acid is far superior to other active ingredients for treating acne, including Benzoyl Peroxide, we strongly believe that every acne-treatment system should contain this ingredient at its maximum strength concentration at 2.0%. Unfortunately, only a few formulas use this concentration, so you may have to search for products on this site to find the right one. But once you do, the research team at ClearSkinReviews.com feels confident that Salicylic Acid will help clear acne and soothe even the most severe types of blemishes within just a few days.

Overview
This patented ingredient was first developed as a new topical method of relieving inflammation, swelling and pain resulting from arthritic conditions and related problems with bones and joints. During research on Inflacin for this purpose, it was found that the compound also seemed to calm irritation and redness that not only occur due to acne but can also result from using Benzoyl Peroxide or other harsh acne-treating ingredients. Inflacin has been found to soothe the skin, reduce redness and help keep the skin smooth and clean, which goes a long way towards making skin look refreshed, clear and protected against future breakouts.

Inflacin seems to work by targeting the specific enzyme (called Phospholipase A2, or PLA-2) that the body activates whenever it becomes aggravated by infection by an unwanted invader. Studies suggest that the bacteria that leads to acne activates PLA-2, which response by making the skin swell and appear red. PLA-2 also seems to be activated when the skin comes in contact with irritating compounds, such as Benzoyl Peroxide, which is a common acne treatment ingredient. The researchers who developed Inflacin found that it helps to diminish PLA-2 activity, thus resulting in a decrease in redness and skin irritation. In fact, Inflacin directly inhibits PLA-2 by as much as 93%, which results in skin that remains calm and even-toned throughout the acne-treatment process. 

Web Site at a Glance
TriClear is the only acne treatment system to include Inflacin as a primary ingredient to reduce the redness and irritation that occurs when acne breakouts happen. The best source for information about TriClear can be found on their web site, at www.Triclear.com. The technical research data on Inflacin (which may be hard for some readers to decipher) can be found at www.biozonelabs.com.

Pros
- Soothes irritation and redness caused by acne

- Helps counteract Benzoyl Peroxide and other harsh treatments

- Inhibits the main enzyme responsible for swelling

Cons
- Only available in the TriClear anti-acne system

Summary
Considering the convincing research behind Inflacin, there is no doubt that this compound should be a standard ingredient in all acne treatment formulas. Unfortunately, most companies have not yet caught on to the promise of Inflacin, which is unfortunate. Thankfully, one acne formula does contain Inflacin, which is why we continue to recommend TriClear as a first option in treating acne.

Overview
When choosing which acne formulas are going to offer the best chance at treating and preventing acne, it becomes necessary to also review specific delivery systems employed in these products. Our experience has shown that even a formula with the best ingredients can fall short if the company did not take the time and effort to use an equally effective delivery system. Delivery technology has come a long way in the last 15 or 20 years, so now it is possible to not only treat acne on the surface, but far below the surface where most acne problems originate. To us, and delivery system that can ensure this kind of deep penetration, repair and prevention should be seriously considered as a first choice against acne. Recently, we decided to review QuSomes™, a system developed by BioZones Labs, Inc.

Featured Ingredients
Founded in 1989, BioZone Laboratories is led by a team of doctors - Dr. Brian Keller and Dr. Dan Lasic - who have more than 50 years of experience in the biochem field. They created the company to develop new technologies that could outperform conventional delivery systems used by most skincare companies.

Most skin creams - including acne treatments - employ compounds called liposomes to deliver their ingredients into the skin. However, liposomes are expensive to produce, and the process to make them involves alternating between extreme heat, cold and the use of solvents. Not only can this drive the price of the finished product quite high, but it can also make the ingredients encapsulated in the liposomes unstable.

Fortunately, BioZone Labs, Inc. has invented QuSomes™, which represent a new generation of delivery technology. As opposed to traditional liposomes, QuSomes production does not involve extreme temperatures or the use of harsh chemicals. Not surprisingly, the skin tends to accept QuSomes (and the ingredients within) much easier than liposomes. Plus, BioZone has perfected the method of producing QuSomes, so that the finished product is a whiter, non-tacky, odorless and more stable product for use in topical applications.

Web Site at a Glance
TriClear is the only acne treatment system to make use of the revolutionary QuSomes™ technology, so most consumers can go to www.Triclear.com to find out more information about this delivery system. QuSomes does not have its own web site, but one can find the research data on the system by going to BioZone Lab’s web site at www.biozonelabs.com, although the information on this site seems to be intended more for scientists and researchers than consumers. That’s why most people will prefer to visit TriClear’s site instead.

Pros
- Deeper penetration than most acne formulas

- Non-toxic processes used in development and production

- Allows for more effective delivery of key anti-acne compounds

Cons
- Only available in one acne product so far - TriClear.

Summary
As impressive as QuSomes technology is, we are a bit puzzled why more companies do not jump on the chance to use this system in their own acne formulas. As of the publishing date of this article, TriClear is the only acne formula to include QuSomes. Perhaps TriClear has entered into an exclusive contract with BioZone Labs to use QuSomes, but it could also be that other companies have become too reliant on liposomes and old technologies to consider changing their products. Until a superior delivery technology becomes available, we have no choice but to strongly recommend QuSomes and TriClear for acne.