Overview
SkinCeuticals has gradually gained a solid reputation in many health and beauty spas because it offers simple formulas that can promote better and healthier skin. Many of the formulas in this line contain only one or two main ingredients, which definitely can make it easier for many consumers. SkinCeuticals currently offers a Blemish Control formula, along with several types of cleansers that can help to treat and prevent acne. While we would prefer if SkinCeuticals also offered a specific acne system consisting of one or two of these formulas - preferably as a free trial or at a discount price - we decided to review the active ingredients as accurately as possible.

Featured Ingredients
The main ingredient that SkinCeuticals products feature to treat acne is Salicylic Acid, which is an impressive first step. This ingredient has gained a solid reputation as an acne treatment compound, since it not only reduces the size and number of pimples but also helps prevent breakouts by encouraging the skin’s natural renewal process. We are a bit troubled, however, that SkinCeuticals only offers a 1% concentration of Salicylic Acid, since studies show that a concentration of 2.0% is optimum.

While Salicylic Acid will perform many functions for the skin in the treatment and prevention of acne, we were a bit disappointed that SkinCeuticals did not offer products that also addressed other key areas of acne. None of the products contain Silicol Dioxide, which helps to control oil - one of the main reasons for the appearance of acne. In addition, SkinCeuticals does not contain Inflacin, one of the best ingredients for calming irritation and renewing skin. Finally, the Salicylic Acid in SkinCeuticals would be even more effective if it were combined with the unique QuSomes delivery system, which ensures that this powerful acne fighting ingredient penetrates into the deep layers of skin.

Web Site at a Glance
Like its products, the SkinCeuticals web site is clean, easy to understand and easy to navigate. There are brief descriptions of products and some other helpful features on the web site. Unfortunately, the web site is short on some of the important clinical research that we like to see, as well as helpful tips or information and graphics about how acne begins. In addition, SkinCeuticals does not offer a free trial of its products.

Pros
- Some products contain Salicylic Acid

- Simple, easy to follow web site and product information

Cons
- Does not contain Silicol Dioxide or Inflacin

- Salicylic Acid is only offered at a weaker 1% concentration

- No free trial offer

Summary
SkinCeuticals definitely offers some wonderful products, including various serums that can help prevent aging in the skin. It may, however, fall a bit short in the acne category. These products may be too mild for most people with acne, and it seems as if SkinCeuticals simply hasn’t gotten around to creating a full acne treatment system yet. Hopefully this impressive company takes the time and effort to do so one day.

Overview
This formula seems to claim that one product can do all that is necessary to clear and prevent acne. No company information is available at the time of this review, so most of the research that the staff at ClearSkinReviews.com was able to conduct took place by reviewing material on their web site and by analyzing the finished product.

Featured Ingredients
Oxycerin seems to work mainly through the action of its main ingredient, 5% tea tree oil. While Tea Tree Oil does seem to have some natural astringent and anti-acne functions, we have yet to read convincing research that puts it on par with other established acne medications such as Salicylic Acid, Silicol Dioxide and similar compounds. According to the officials who produce Oxycerin, a study in Australia found that 5% Tea Tree Oil produced similar results to 5% Benzoyl Peroxide, with far fewer side effects. While we tend to prefer other treatments to Benzoyl Peroxide - due to the fact that up to 79% of people will experience dry skin or flaky skin after using a product containing Benzoyl Peroxide - most products contain 10% Benzoyl Peroxide, not 5%. So the claim that Tea Tree Oil performs as well as 5% Benzoyl Peroxide does not seem like much of an accomplishment.

Oxycerin contains other ingredients, such as Aloe Vera, which is a known skin healer, as well as White Willow Bark, from which the powerful anti-acne ingredient salicylic Acid is derived. Even considering this fact, no studies have determined that White Willow Bark can have as powerful an effect on acne as the more concentrated Salicylic Acid. Other ingredients, such as Licorice Root (for inflammation) and Hyaluronic Acid (a moisturizer) seem to be added to help assist the action of Tea Tree Oil.

Web Site at a Glance
The Oxycerin web site contains very little information except for its detailed description of the product and an explanation of the 5% Tea Tree Oil study conducted in Australia. Pricing information is available, and one bottle of Oxycerin sells for $69, which seems an awfully high price for a product with natural ingredients, and one that does not contain Silicol Dioxide, Inflacin or an advanced QuSomes delivery system. Three customer testimonials are featured on the site, but only a first name is given and no photos are posted, making us suspect their validity.

Pros
- Explains a clinical study on the effects of Tea Tree Oil

Cons
- Does not contain Salicylic Acid, Silicol Dioxide or Inflacin

- Customer testimonials are of questionable quality

- High price for a natural formulation

Summary
While Oxycerin seems to make claims that this product will perform similar to established acne medications on the market, surpassing a weak 5% Benzoyl Peroxide effect seems average, at best. The other ingredients truly do not add anything else to this formula, which falls short on many parameters. We recommend that you look elsewhere.

Overview

Clean and Clear consists of a three-part system of acne formulas that is mean to be used everyday to encourage clear, healthy and beautiful skin. Called Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Control Kit, the method includes an Acne Control Cleanser, Acne Control Moisturizer and Fast Clearing Spot Treatment. According to the Clean and Clear clinical trial, 100% of users who tried this formula noticed results in only one day, which is faster than Proactiv and some other treatments. Since Clean and Clear is manufactured and distributed by product giant Johnson and Johnson, we felt fairly confident that this system would measure up to its strong claims, but decided to investigate the ingredients further.

Featured Ingredients

The Cleanser mainly features Benzoyl Peroxide, which to be honest is a bit of a disappointment. Although Benzoyl Peroxide became popular during the 1980s and 1990s, it since has fallen a bit out of favor with many dermatologists due to the fact that it can cause drying in as many as 79% of users. This doesn’t seem to be a reasonable price to pay, even if some people will notice an initial cleansing effect by using this formula.

The Clean and Clear Moisturizer is a bit more impressive, since it contains the ingredient Salicylic Acid. Salicylic Acid is one of the most effective acne treatments available, and probably is the main reason why Clean and Clear has such impressive clinical results. Not only does Salicylic Acid help to reduce the size, redness and number of pimples, but it also performs a preventive effect by replacing dead skin cells with young and fresh ones. Unfortunately, we cannot verify Johnson and Johnson’s claim that this formula will also control oil, since this product apparently does not contain one of the best ingredients for controlling oil, Silicol Dioxide.

Even though the Fast Clearing Spot Treatment also contains Salicylic Acid, we were not able to make a final judgment of this formula because Johnson and Johnson does not release any information about the other active ingredient, Acelera. Although the clinical results are impressive, we cannot recommend this formula until we know what Acelera consists of.

Web Site at a Glance

The Clean and Clear web site is one of the most advanced web sites that we have reviewed. The home page begins with live video of two spokesmodels who introduce the system to the visitor. The site also contains many interactive features that allow the user to build their own customized acne kit depending on their specific skin type. Customer testimonials are featured, also through streaming video, and Clean and Clear is currently running a $5 offer for new customers. There is no free trial available. In addition, we would like to see more specific data from the 100% study that Johnson and Johnson likes to emphasize, including number of patients in the study and other information.

Pros

- Several products feature Salicylic Acid for optimum acne clearing

- Web site is engaging and entertaining; clinical study is impressive

Cons

- Company does not disclose what the active ingredient Acelera is

- One product contains Benzoyl Peroxide, which is not recommended

- No free trial is available

Summary

Even though Johnson and Johnson has an impressive track record of creating successful products, Clean and Clear is not as perfect as the 100% study may have one believe. We are a bit hesitant to recommend any product that contains Benzoyl Peroxide, and we would feel better recommending this system if we knew the full details about Acelera. But many people will likely see an improvement by using Clean and Clear.

Overview
Cold Fusion is produced and marketed by Tennessee-based company Evolution-X. Cold Fusion consists of a three-step system that is intended to treat and prevent acne. The first step involves applying the Salicylic Gel, following by application of the Glycolic Gel. Finally, the consumer uses the Benzoyl Peroxide Gel. Given the fact that the company includes a highly illustrative model for conceiving of acne and its treatment, we were encouraged by Cold Fusion when we began our research of this system.

Featured Ingredients
The Cold Fusion Salicylic Gel contains one of the most effective acne treating ingredients available - Salicylic Acid. This compound, synthesized from the White Willow tree, contains several cleansing components that help reduce the size and number of pimples. Salicylic Acid also helps prevent future breakouts by removing the surface layer of dead skin cells and replacing them with young, healthy ones. Cold Fusion definitely starts on the right foot by including this product in its line. Unfortunately, we do not know what concentration of Salicylic Acid is contained in this product. Optimum concentration should be 2.0%. Plus, unfortunately, the Gel does not also employ QuSomes, a unique delivery system that will ensure that Salicylic Acid goes below the surface layer of skin.

The Cold Fusion Glycolic Gel features Glycolic Acid, which is a member of the alpha hydroxyl acid group of compounds. Although alpha hydroxy’s do perform an exfoliating function and thus help remove some of the clogging compounds associated with acne, many people also experience adverse reactions with their use. Glycolic Acid is slowly being phased out in the industry, and some researchers simply believe that there are better choices.

The third step in the Cold Fusion system involves use of the Benzoyl Peroxide Gel. While Benzoyl Peroxide was elevated to prominence during the 1980s and 1990s because of its popular inclusion in many acne products, today it has lost some of its status. Because as many as 75% of Benzoyl Peroxide users will experience dryness, irritation, redness and/or flaking, some dermatologists feel that other compounds will work better, with fewer side effects.

Web Site at a Glance
The Cold Fusion web site definitely has a fresh and hip approach. There is plenty of information on the products, and their graphic illustration of acne and its treatment is one of the most creative that we have seen on the Internet. However, we also have many questions that the web site does not answer. It is not clear what the concentration of Salicylic Acid in the Salicylic Gel is. In addition, the web site claims that the system can control oil, but none of the products contain Silicol Dioxide, so we have to wonder what ingredients perform this function.

Pros
- One formula contains Salicylic Acid, a known acne fighter

- Clear and helpful illustration of the process of treating acne

Cons
- Salicylic Acid concentration is not disclosed (should be 2.0% for maximum effect)

- Does not contain QuSomes for maximum penetration of ingredients

- Claims to control oil, but ingredients for this purpose are not revealed

Summary
Although Cold Fusion does have a formula with Salicylic Acid in it, we cannot recommend using the entire system. There are too many question marks around Benzoyl Peroxide, and Glycolic Acid does not seem to be the best choice for exfoliating. Plus, it is not clear how any of the products control oil. For these reasons, a different system would probably be a better choice.