Overview
Exposed offers one of the only four-step acne systems on the market today. This system contains a Facial Cleanser, Clearing Tonic, Daytime Treatment and Nighttime Treatment. While we have found that most acne problems can be treated with just two or three formulas, we also knew that any conclusion to be drawn about Exposed would be most accurate after carefully looking at its specific ingredients. So we kept an open mind while investigating the Exposed acne system.

Featured Ingredients
Exposed Facial Cleanser combines Salicylic Acid with ProVitamin B5, one of the only formulas that does this. We were encouraged because our research has shown that Salicylic Acid is one of the most effective acne ingredients available. This compound not only helps to treat and clear existing acne but also encourages replacement with dead skin with fresh and healthy skin cells. Provitamin B5 is added for additional antioxidant protection. 

With our hopes stirred, we eagerly investigated the Clearing Tonic, which contains Salicylic Acid combined with Glycolic Acid, Aloe vera and various botanicals such as Passion flower and Green Tea. Once again, we are impressed that the product contains Salicylic Acid, since its reputation as a powerful acne treatment ingredient is solid. While the inclusion of the ingredients is intriguing – and these ingredients will probably have positive effects for the skin - we would have preferred to see research specifically on their benefits for acne.

While the Nighttime Serum also uses Salicylic Acid, we were concerned that the day formula includes Benzoyl Peroxide (BP). We are not in favor of using BP, especially considering that so many (more than 75%) users report dry and flaky skin with it. Even though Exposed claims that their micronized BP allows them to use a lower concentration of BP with less irritation, we feel this ingredient is unnecessary. We are also concerned that the company claims to affect oil production in the skin, but then none of the ingredients in any of the four formulas seem to address this. Perhaps they should have considered including Silicol Dioxide, a known oil control nutrient.

Web Site at a Glance
The Exposed Acne Treatment System web site does contain quite a bit of information in an easy to understand format, although at times it was unclear exactly which products were contained in the system, since the company also offers a moisturizing formula as well. Consumers might mistakenly believe that they are paying for this product as well. No free trial is offered, but the system is provided at a discount, and Exposed offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. While a clear graph is provided on how the system works, there are no scientific studies cited, which makes us wonder about the non-Salicylic Acid ingredients in the formulas.

Pros
- Employs Salicylic Acid, one of the best acne treatment formulas available 

Cons
- No scientific research provided for other ingredients

- Claims to control oil, yet does not contain Silicol Dioxide

- No free trial offered

Summary
Exposed definitely seems to get off on the right foot, since many of the formulas in the system contain Salicylic Acid. While we feel that many of the other ingredients will help the skin, we’re not sure if they will perform the crucial oil control and lasting prevention that Exposed promises. Perhaps a system with Silicol Dioxide would make a better choice.

Overview
Murad Acne Complex is a three-part system created by Dr. Howard Murad, who has been producing skincare ingredients for a number of years. Dr. Murad has an impressive resume, and clearly has taken the time to put together a beneficial acne product. Judging from the amount of customer testimonials on the Murad web site, it is easy to see that the product has helped people to treat acne. In fact, according to the company web site, 90% of customers saw acne reduced in 4 weeks. We have seen better effects in other products (for example, TriClear had a 98% success rate in 2 weeks or less), and we were a bit concerned over the lack of scientific research studies cited on the Murad site.

Featured Ingredients
Salicylic Acid. Fortunately, the Murad Clarifying Cleanser contains Salicylic Acid, which is one of the best ingredients for the treatment and prevention of acne. Salicylic Acid has been found to help wipe away dead skin cells and many of the clogging substances that can aggravate acne. In addition, it promotes renewal of skin cells and encourages the replacement process of the skin. Studies have found that the best concentration of Salicylic Acid is 2.0%. For some reason, Murad only has a 1.5% concentration.  Retinol and Glycolic Acid. The Murad Exfoliating Treatment Gel is intended to exfoliate dead cells from the skin’s surface, while also helping to prevent future breakouts. While there is some evidence that Retinol will help cut some oil production, it does not seem to be as potent as other ingredients (such as Silicol Dioxide). In addition, some people can have negative reactions to Glycolic Acid’s exfoliating effects. 

Queen of Meadow and Arnica. The Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion contains a wide array of botanical ingredients that are intended to soothe the irritation caused by acne, and caused by treating acne itself. Two of these botanicals, Queen of Meadow and Arnica, seem to soothe skin and help calm it to improve complexion. Unfortunately, the Murad web site does not cite any specific studies verifying this effect.

Web Site at a Glance
Murad has a nearly complete web site that contains a lot of information on the product, how it works and additional information about acne, including how it starts and tips for treating and prevention. All of these elements could be helpful for the average consumer. In addition, there are plenty of real testimonials, including some on video, from actual customers, which speak to the formula’s success. However, the web site does seem to be missing additional details or specific research about some of the ingredients in the product. It would have been helpful for us to actually see the scientific basis for the claims for some of the botanicals in the formula. Without those, we can’t be quite sure that Murad will perform as promised.

Pros
- Uses Salicylic Acid, even though it is at a weaker concentration (only 1.5% vs. recommended 2.0%)

- Plenty of useful acne information on the web site

Cons
- No specific scientific research on botanical ingredients

- Details for home use test are brief and not as thorough as we would like

- No free trial offered

Summary
In comparison to other three-step systems, the Murad Acne Complex does seem to be one of the better formulas available. There is plenty of information contained on the web site, and the customer testimonials are impressive. However, we found the formulas to fall a bit short, and feel that Murad could be better with the addition of other key ingredients, such as Silicol Dioxide and Inflacin.

Overview
Accutane is a very powerful medication available by prescription only and intended to be used only for the most severe forms of nodular acne. It is one of the most restricted medications in the U.S., mainly because it can cause a wide variety of very severe side effects. In fact, one of the most dangerous side effects includes causing severe birth defects in pregnant women. Because of this, patients are required to get pregnancy tests before receiving a prescription and during treatment. In addition, the law requires Accutane patients to sign a form called an iPledge, which clearly states that the patient fully understands the potential side effects of using Accutane.

Featured Ingredients
Accutane contains only one active ingredient, which is a drug called isotretinoin. This medication is a synthetic and highly processed form of vitamin A that has been found to significantly reduce the production of sebum (oil) in the skin. As you may know, oil production is one of the key causes of acne, and is implicated as the main cause of severe acne. Isotretinoin suppresses secretion of oil by the skin glands and thus helps reduce the production of acne. 

Because of the many side effects caused by use of isotretinoin, it is recommended that a patient only use Accutane if they have tried other medications and antibiotics and had no success with these other treatments. In addition to the risk of severe birth defects, Accutane has been found to cause mood disturbances, hearing problems, sudden numbness or weakness, headaches, diarrhea, stomach pains and more.

Web Site at a Glance
Accutane is produced by Roche Pharmaceuticals. Full prescription information for patients and doctors can be found by visiting Roche’s corporate web site and looking for Accutane within its Products section. You can then download the official prescribing information document, which lists exactly how Accutane is to be used and all the potential side effects. The web site also contains information about the iPledge program.

Pros
- Significantly cuts oil production and proven to treat severe acne 

Cons
- Available only by prescription and after signing the iPledge document

- Possible severe side effects, including birth defects in pregnant mothers

- Other side effects, including headache, joint pain and mood disturbances, may be worse than acne itself

Summary
There is no doubt that a powerful drug like Accutane could prove very helpful for those with severe acne. Because of the serious potential side effects, it is recommended that only those with severe acne consider using Accutane, and only after consultation and careful monitoring by a physician.

Overview
Acnezine is a two part system that includes a capsule supplement that is taken once a day, along with a topical solution that is applied directly to the skin, much like conventional acne treatments. Acnezine claims to produce a more complete anti-acne effect, since the capsules are meant to control oil, inflammation and encourage the production of healthy skin from the inside out, while the topical formula addresses existing acne. While this does seem to be a sensible approach, only a thorough investigation by the research team at ClearSkinReviews.com would verify these claims. 

Featured Ingredients
The Acnezine topical solution does seem to include ingredients that will clear acne. Unfortunately, the main active ingredient used is Benzoyl Peroxide. Once popular in the 1970s and 1980s, Benzoyl Peroxide has fallen out of favor with dermatologists and is gradually being replaced by newer, preferred compounds such as Salicylic Acid. The fact is that Benzoyl Peroxide, though it does heal acne and kill many acne-causing bacteria, is quite harsh in the skin and may cause drying and flaking in as many as 75% of those who use it.

The Acnezine topical solution contains many botanical ingredients in addition to Benzoyl Peroxide, including Lavender extract, Goldenseal, Aloe Vera and Chamomile, which seem to be included for their ability to soothe the skin and counteract the irritation caused by Benzoyl Peroxide. But we have to wonder if these extracts would have been necessary if Acnezine simply contained less irritation compounds like Salicylic Acid, Inflacin or Silicol Dioxide. 

The Acnezine capsule supplement contains many naturally based ingredients, such as collagen and hyaluronic acid, which are traditionally used to reduce wrinkles and foster moisturization in the skin. Apart from these effects, however, there is no research provided by the company to verify that any of these ingredients will treat or prevent acne internally.

Web Site at a Glance
The Acnezine web site is quite comprehensive. A clear explanation of the product and a full listing of ingredients is included, which is better than most products on the market. Customer testimonials are included, and a free offer is available if a customer signs up for autoship. With the time that was taken to build the site, however, we feel it would have been equally useful to include any research on the ingredients backing up their acne fighting claims.

Pros
- Topical solution will help clear acne

- Calming botanicals included to counteract Benzoyl Peroxide’s harsh effects

Cons
- Benzoyl Peroxide not the optimum choice to treat acne

- Lack of scientific research on botanical ingredients and effect on acne

- No scientific basis for nutritional supplement and its effect on acne

Summary
Acnezine surely seems better than other topical solution-supplement combinations that we have reviewed, but this formula also falls short. To make this product more effective, the makers should probably have used Salicylic Acid in the topical formula instead of Benzoyl Peroxide. Given the fact that the supplement’s ingredients cannot be substantiated, taking this formula may improve overall skin texture, but we cannot be sure if it will be of any use against acne.