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.