Overview
DermaClear was invented by chemist Garbis Balekjian, who created this acne formula because he and his children were not happy with the conventional products offered on the market. Specifically, he was not satisfied by the fact that most acne treatments require the costumer to use two or three products every day. In contrast, he created DermaClear as an all-in-one formula. In our experience, it is nearly impossible for one product to conduct the cleansing, treating and prevention functions that most other effective systems perform, since the ingredients that conduct these functions are so specific and specialized. Nonetheless, we decided to review DermaClear with an open mind.

Featured Ingredients
DermaClear contains a combination of Laurel Sulfate (for cleansing), Salicylic Acid (for acne treatment), along with Tartaric Acid and Allantoin to further soothe and heal the skin. Laurel Sulfate is a mild cleansing compound usually included in a variety of common household soaps, including many hand soaps and shampoos. There is nothing specifically beneficial about Laurel Sulfate for acne, but it will help to clean the surface of the skin.

Salicylic Acid is one of the best anti-acne ingredients available. This compound helps to exfoliate acne and acne-causing gunk from the skin, while also encouraging the replacement of dead skin with fresh skin cells. This also helps to prevent future breakouts. Many companies are choosing to use Salicylic Acid as the main ingredient against acne, since it so effective and less irritating than other substances.  Little is known about Tartaric Acid or Allantoin as ingredients to help acne, even though both compounds do have benefits for the skin. At best, these nutrients may help to soothe irritation and promote skin healing, but unfortunately, DermaClear does not list any research information to verify these effects.

While we applaud DermaClear for including Salicylic Acid in its formula, we fail to see how this one formula would perform all the effects needed. A flaring omission is that DermaClear does not contain Silicol Dioxide, which is one of the most effective ingredients used for absorbing excess oil. Without Silicol Dioxide, we fail to see how DermaClear could be considered an all-in-one acne treatment. 

Web Site at a Glance
The DermaClear web site is fairly straight forward. A brief description of the product is included, as well as background information on Mr. Balekjian and plenty of customer testimonials. Pricing information is also listed, and DermaClear is only available by ordering through this web site. It would have been helpful if DermaClear had also included clinical research, either on the individual ingredients or DermaClear’s acne effects as an entire formula.

Pros
- Contains Salicylic Acid, one of the best anti-acne ingredients

- Plenty of customer testimonials included on the web site

Cons
- Does not contain Silicol Dioxide or Inflacin

- Cleansing ingredients may be too mild, especially without QuSomes delivery system

- Lack of clinical research references for the product

- No free trial offered

Summary
While DermaClear will probably help most people with acne, we disagree with the company’s statement that it is an all-in-one formula. The Salicylic Acid in the formula will go a long way towards treating acne, but we prefer three-step systems like TriClear and Proactiv, which offer specialized products for cleansing, treating and preventing acne.

Overview
Madame Magdalene is a cosmetics company that offers various wrinkle creams, anti-cellulite treatments and an acne formula known as Extreme Acne Solution Cream. We’ve run across Madame Magdalene products at various health food stores and cheaper retail outlets, and thus were intrigued by the company’s claim that this formula would work for those who have been unable to clear acne with conventional formulas. Upon further research, we found nothing extraordinary about this product.

Featured Ingredients
Madame Magdalene’s Extreme Acne Solution Cream contains two active ingredients. Azelaic Acid was invented as an alternative acne treatment to Benzoyl Peroxide and other irritating medications. It was initially put into soaps and intended to be used several times a day. Azelaic acid does seem to have a positive effect on acne, if for no other reason that the cleansing aspect does appear to kill some of the bacteria associated with acne. However, studies on its effectiveness have been limited, especially for those who have non-bacterial acne. In addition, some researchers believe it can take up to 1 to 2 months before a significant clearing of acne is seen.

Green tea is a potent antioxidant and can have many benefits for the skin. It works as an antioxidant and helps boosts immunity, which can be helpful in fighting off acne-related infections. Green tea is best used when it is combined with other known acne fighters such as Salicylic Acid or Silicol Dioxide, where it can take a supporting role. Green tea does not seem to have a direct effect on acne itself. 

Web Site at a Glance
The Madame Magdalene web site for Extreme Acne Solution Cream can be described as primitive at best. The site only consists of a single page that describes the product and pricing information. A single before/after photo is posted, but since no name or testimonial is connected with the photo, we cannot verify its accuracy. In addition, even though we are aware of some research that reveals Azelaic Acid’s ability to treat acne, Madame Magdalene does not provide this information on its web site and asks the customer to take their word for their claims. The product sells for $29.95 a bottle, and no free trial is available.

Pros
- Azelaic Acid does have limited success for acne

- Green Tea is a beneficial and protective antioxidant

Cons
- May take one to two months to begin clearing acne

- Lack of scientific research on the company’s web site

- No free trial is available

 Summary
Even though Azelaic Acid is listed as an approved FDA-treatment for acne, its overall effects seem moderate at best, especially when compared to combinations that include Salicylic Acid, Silicol Dioxide or Inflacin. While Green Tea will have an effect on the skin, Madame Magdalene simply seems like an oversimplified attempt by the company to gain profit from the acne market. There are better products available.

Overview
Bruunhause claims to be the strongest acne system in the world. The company further states that it “maintains the top position in acne and medicinal research.” Both are strong claims, and considering that the formula does not contain any FDA-approved medications for the treatment of acne, it may be easy to understand why the staff at ClearSkinReviews.com was skeptical when beginning to review Bruunhause.

Featured Ingredients
Apparently, Bruunhause contains only one ingredient: Hydronium, which is also known as H30. Hydronium is an “active cousin” of water and the company claims it helps to hydrate the skin. Even though Bruunhause goes to great efforts to explain the origin of acne and how Hydronium supposedly treats acne, the company does not disclose any research proving these claims. Since Bruunhause is quite expensive ($107 a bottle), and since we remain skeptical about Hydronium, we strongly urge customers to avoid it. 

Web Site at a Glance
As previously mentioned, the Bruunhause web site contains many strong claims about the formula, but lists no actual clinical research verifying these claims. The web site itself consists of one long page that gives no specifics about how Hydronium is created or if any reputable researchers have actually studied its effects on acne. Several testimonials are included on the site, but considering the lack of research on the site, we wonder if these are real. No free trial is offered, and customers are expected to pay $107 a bottle for the product.

Pros
- None 

Cons
- No convincing research on Bruunhause’s active ingredient - Hydronium - is provided

- Price is high, especially for a product with no research behind it ($107/bottle)

- Company does not offer a free trial of the product

Summary
Our conclusions about Bruunhause are simple. Because the manufacturers of the product do not provide any clinical research to back up their claims on the effectiveness of this product, we simply cannot recommend it.

Overview
ClearSkin-A consists of a two-formula system, including a Face Wash and Acne Gel. ClearSkin-A is produced and marketed by Native Remedies, a holistic product company that offers dozens of naturally based products, including nutritional supplements for a wide range of health issues. Founded by Michele Carelse, a psychologist, Native Remedies claims that ClearSkin-A treats acne more effectively and more safely than conventional medications. Since we are not aware of any herbal extracts or botanicals that have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of acne, we wondered whether ClearSkin-A would be able to live up to its claims.

Featured Ingredients
In comparison to other natural acne formulas that we have seen on the market, the ingredients within both ClearSkin-A formulas are rather unique. The Face Wash features some exotic herbs, such as Bulbine frutescence, a South African botanical that has been used to sooth irritation and heal wounds. Aspalathus linearis (Rooibos) is another African herb that helps protect the skin from infection. Tea tree oil is a known skin cleanser and astringent that theoretically helps to exfoliate the skin, which could conceivably reduce acne. The ClearSkin-A Acne Gel also contains Aspalathus linearis (Rooibos), Bulbine frutescence and Tea tree oil, making us wonder what the difference between both products is, if any. Perhaps more confusing is the fact that, on a separate page on the company’s web site, the list of ingredients for the Acne Gel is different. No mention is made of these three ingredients, and instead it seems as if the product contains other botanicals, including lavender and Symphytum. 

Even without considering this troubling error, the staff at ClearSkinReviews.com is not aware of any research that shows how any of these ingredients treats or prevents acne.

Web Site at a Glance
Native Remedies does not host a separate web site for the ClearSkin-A system, but rather includes it within their corporate site, which also contains information on the other products sold under the Native Remedies brand. Customer testimonials are listed, but as mentioned earlier, there is some confusion over the ingredients in the Acne Gel. In addition, Native Remedies does not include any research studies on the botanicals in the formulas.  Pros
- Most botanical products will probably not irritate the skin 

Cons
- No clinical research on the ingredients or the finished product

- No free trial offered

- Confusing and contradictory information about ingredients in Acne Gel

Summary
Until Native Remedies clears up the contradictory information about the ingredients in the ClearSkin-A Acne Gel - and until the company publishes any convincing research on the botanicals in the formulas - we cannot recommend this product.