Overview
Like many acne treatment systems, ZenMed consists of a three-step system to help treat and prevent acne. This usually is the best approach, since our research team has found that people respond best when they use separate cleansing, treating and prevention products, which produce their own specific benefits for the skin. ZenMed’s answer is the Derma Cleanse system. Unlike other acne products, however, ZenMed consists of a cleanser, treating gel and capsule formula that contains herbal ingredients designed to control acne from the inside. While we think that this last step is possible, we remain skeptical of products that claim to control acne internally, especially when most companies that make such a claim tend to avoid backing up their claims with any scientific research.

Featured Ingredients
Within the ZenMed Derma Cleanse system, many ingredients are used, some of which may have benefits against acne. But we’re not as sure about others. In our final judgment, the system seems to be inconsistent, and here’s why. The Cleanser in the formula contains many intriguing ingredients, including Witch Hazel and Chamomile, which both have scientific evidence supporting their use as topical cleansers. However, many of the other ingredients within the Cleanser are not as proven, such as Yarrow Root, Sage and Rosemary. It is unfortunate that ZenMed does not specify the actions of these ingredients, nor does the web site contain any scientific research proving that they will, in fact, help cleanse the skin and help it fight acne.

Fortunately, the ZenMed Acne Gel does contain Salicylic Acid, which has become one of the top acne fighting ingredients available. It clears pores and eliminates many types of blemishes. It also encourages the natural skin cell replacement process. Scientists have found that the best treatments contain Salicylic Acid at its maximum strength concentration of 2.0%, which will treat even the most stubborn forms of acne. Unfortunately, the last step in the ZenMed system - the DermaCleanse Capsules - also leave us a bit skeptical. The company claims that these pills contain a combination of time-honored Indian and Chinese medical herbs known to support the skin against acne from the inside-out. While we respect these ancient traditions, ZenMed does not provide any more information on the topic, leaving it up to the consumer to decide whether or not these ingredients actually will help prevent acne. 

Web Site at a Glance
The ZenMed web site does seem to provide quite a bit of information about the products, but unfortunately it simply falls short in the way of providing scientific research about the effects of the ingredients, especially for the Cleanser and Capsules. While the price for the system does seem reasonable ($99) for the system plus a free product upon purchase, we’d prefer it if the customer had the chance to try the ZenMed system for free before deciding if it’s right for them. 

Pros
- Acne Gel contains Salicylic Acid

Cons
- No scientific data for Cleanser or Capsule ingredients

- No free trial offered

- Does not contain Silicol Dioxide, Inflacin or QuSomes

Summary
We applaud ZenMed for trying to take a fresh approach to acne treatment by offering an original system that doesn’t follow the typical model. But just being different doesn’t automatically translate into effectiveness, especially when it comes to acne. So even though we like the idea of a system with capsules in it, the company fails to back up its claims, leading us to believe that the Acne Gel might be the only product in the system that actually does what it says. We’d probably try other products first.

Overview
Biodermazen is a capsule formula that is meant to be taken twice a day like a multivitamin. Apparently, the natural herbs and extracts in the formula then begin to clear acne and improve the skin so that future breakouts are diminished. While we do not necessarily think that this concept is without merit, our experience has taught us that capsules and pills cannot offer the same kind of fast and immediate anti-acne benefits as a topical formula. However, we decided to keep an open mind as we investigated Biodermazen.

Featured Ingredients
Biodermazen features 10 herbs and natural vitamins. While we will not review all of them in this limited space here, we became skeptical when we looked into the supposed scientific support that Biodermazen uses to back up its claims that these ingredients can clear acne. For example, Dandelion root is cited as being an anti-acne ingredient, yet the research used to back up this claim is actually a study on the herb’s effect on eczema, not on acne. Likewise, milk thistle is claimed to help acne, yet the research used by Biodermazen to back up this claim was actually conducted on baboons and showed its effect on liver disease, not on acne. 

The questionable use of science continues, even with ingredients that do have at least a limited history of use for the skin. Even though Aloe vera is a beneficial compound with many benefits for the skin, there is no research on its whether it works internally, and especially whether it works internally to affect acne in any way. Plus, even though Biodermazen contains Witch hazel - which is an effective natural astringent that helps cleanse the skin - no studies on its effect in a capsule are given. All of this adds up to shaky science, at best.

Web Site at a Glance
After days of exhaustive research, we were unable to locate a web site for Biodermazen. The only information we were able to find about the product was gathered after piecing together limited listings on eBay and other online sales web sites. The fact that the company does not have an official site for this product is yet another reason why we doubt this product’s effectiveness.

Pros
- Does not contain any Benzoyl Peroxide

Cons
- No convincing scientific research on ingredients’ effects on acne

- Company does not have its own web site for the product

- No proof that a capsule will affect acne in the skin

- Most of the research on these ingredients has been done on topical solution, not pills

Summary
It would be nice to believe that a natural herbal formula like Biodermazen could actually help treat and prevent acne. In fact, this may be possible, since scientific research proves that pill medicines like Accutane do have an effect on the skin. But nothing Biodermazen has done can convince us of that fact.

Overview
The creators of Acnexus claim that this product is the most convenient, effective and affordable acne treatment in the world. As if that wasn’t strong enough, they also say that this formula is the first one-step product heal and prevent breakouts. A closer look at Acnexus reveals that this product contains 27 individual ingredients, making us wonder whether each ingredient is included at a concentration strong enough to cause any real effects. Even though we’d like to believe that one product can do it all, the research team at ClearSkinReviews.com tends to favor three-step systems as the best way to treat acne. But that didn’t stop us from giving Acnexus a closer look. 

Featured Ingredients
Among the 27 ingredients featured in Acnexus, we didn’t find any of the proven anti-acne compounds known and certified by scientists to reduce acne and prevent breakouts. In fact, due to the fact that Acnexus does not contain any certified acne medications approved by the FDA for the treatment of acne, we wonder whether or not the company is in serious advertising violation for its strong claims.

That being said, it was interesting to note that Acnexus is positioned as an all-natural acne treatment. It contains the natural basis of Salicylic Acid (White Willow Bark), which is a novel idea, but we have no scientific proof that using White Willow Bark is any more effective or any safer than using Salicylic Acid, which has been manufactured and produced to be specifically targeted on acne. And while we would like to believe that a natural approach to acne would be preferable, we’re simply not sure that ingredients like Gotu Kola, Alfalfa, Chaparral, Bergamot Oil, Patchouli Oil or any of the other extracts will have any beneficial effects on acne. Since Acnexus does not include any scientific data on these ingredients, the only conclusion we can make is that most of these ingredients have not been tested for their effect on acne.

Web Site at a Glance
There simply isn’t much to the Acnexus web site. It contains one long scrolling page of information on the product, including the strong claims of superiority mentioned earlier. There are plenty of customer testimonials posted on the site, and the company claims that they have 25,000 ecstatic customers. But we noticed that none of the testimonials contain any names, so we have to wonder if they are simply made up for marketing purposes. In addition, the company claims that Acnexus is the most affordable acne product on the market, yet one bottle sells for $29.95, which is far more expensive than retail acne products. Plus, we have a problem with a company that claims to be affordable yet does not offer a free trial of its product.

Pros
- White Willow Bark (natural precursor for Salicylic Acid) may have anti-acne effects

Cons
- Does not contain any proven anti-acne ingredients

- No scientific information or research is posted

- We doubt the validity of the testimonials, since they lack real names

- No free trial offer

Summary
The concept of Acnexus (an all-natural acne formula) is admirable and intriguing. But after researching this product, we simply cannot endorse it. There are too many question marks, and they add up to make us skeptical about the effectiveness of this product for acne.

Overview
Dermacia claims to offer the first ever line of makeup that also controls acne. According to the company’s web site, researchers at UCLA spent five years developing a unique ingredient complex, called Lycogel, which helps skin breathe and accelerates oxygen delivery to the skin. While this is an intriguing idea, we are not of any studies that prove that Lycogel can treat acne. However, its does seem that Dermacia offers some benefits over typical makeup lines.

Featured Ingredients
Fortunately, Dermacia’s Acne Control line of makeup combines its breathable Lycogel complex with Salicylic Acid. This ingredient is related to aspirin, and as such produces many of the same astringent and analgesic effects. 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 not yet affected by acne.

Unfortunately, Dermacia does not include some of the other better-known acne fighting ingredients, such as Silicol Dioxide (which helps control oil), Inflacin (to calm irritation and redness) or QuSomes (which maximizes deep delivery of ingredients). While we congratulate Dermacia for creating a line of makeup that will fight acne with Salicylic Acid, we are hoping that future versions of these formulas will also include additional ingredients to help control acne in the most effective way possible.

Web Site at a Glance
After spending some time on the Dermacia web site, we felt fairly certain that many customers will prefer this line of makeup to their current brand, especially if those customers have problems with acne or other skin problems. However, the web site itself is hard to navigate and we had to spend a lot of time searching for information necessary to complete this review. Most costumers may not be patient, which is a shame. The site does contain some scientific research, which is helpful, as well as some customer testimonials. All of the ingredients for the Dermacia line are also listed. 

Pros
- Contains Salicylic Acid, an effective acne treatment ingredient

- A free trial offer is available

Cons
- Since it is makeup, Dermacia may only appeal to female customers

- Web site seems “thrown together” - some information is hard to find

- Does not contain Silicol Dioxide, Inflacin or QuSomes

Summary
Dermacia seems to have created a unique product in putting together a line of makeup that can also help to treat acne. They made a good choice by including Salicylic Acid in their acne control line of makeup, but unfortunately didn’t seem willing to take the next step and include other known acne fighters. In addition, we wonder whether Dermacia is losing out on potential male customers by only offering acne products with makeup.