Thursday, December 4, 2014

Influenster sent me Mary Kay Clear Proof® Acne System!



Clear Proof Regimen:
 Clear Proof® Clarifying Cleansing Gel
Clear Proof® Blemish Control Toner
Clear Proof® Acne Treatment Gel
Clear Proof® Oil-Free Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin
Here's another product review thanks to Influenster! They sent me the Clear Proof line from Mary Kay. It includes four products: 1st step - the Clarifying Cleansing Gel, 2nd step - the Blemish Control Toner,  3rd step - the Acne Treatment Gel and the 4th step - Oil-Free Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin

I was very excited to receive this product, especially because it was free (for testing purposes)! Now I do not have bad acne, really, but I did want something that could help keep new blemishes at bay and decrease the appearance of my acne scars.

When I first used the product, there was no burning or tingling feeling. My face was left feeling fresh, not oily. I have combination skin and it is pretty sensitive. At day two, however, my skin felt very different when applying these products. There was burning when I put on the toner but the moisturizer helped cool down my face. My skin started to dry out especially near my mouth. I started by applying some of the product to my cheeks, but after this two day reaction, I only  applied each product (except the moisturizer) onto my forehead, nose, and around my mouth and chin. Since the moisturizer was so cooling I just put it all over my face. The dryness got so bad (and embarrassing) that I had to use some of my Yu-Be Moisturizing cream, which is pretty strong stuff. In addition to the redness, my skin was starting to get rough, which the moisturizer helped with as well. Its a similar allergic reaction that I get when I use permanent hair dye. 

I was going to stop using these products if this reaction did not clear up in a week. I mean the company does PROMISE clearer skin in 7 days! Thankfully, it did! It still burned for a little, but that went away eventually. Sometimes the smell of the product was strong for me, but like I said, I'm pretty sensitive. My skin also feels smoother. I've still gotten blemishes while using the products, but they haven't been as often. My acne scars are lightening and I'm a happy camper. Like I said, my acne is extremely mild. Other people might have much better results due to the severity of their acne. I was just thankful to Influenster for giving me this product complimentary to test! 

About each product:

Per Mary Kay:

  • "Clears up blemishes without irritation and helps maintain a clear complexion.
  • Unclogs pores, removes excess oil and leaves skin feeling healthier.
  • Fades the look of lingering acne spots.
  • Attacks multiple factors that can contribute to acne breakouts.
1st step - the Clarifying Cleansing Gel

  • Cleanses skin to clear pores and remove dirt, oil, and impurities
2nd step - the Blemish Control Toner

  • Tones skin and controls shine
3rd step - the Acne Treatment Gel

  • Helps clear up pimples quickly and prevents new ones
4th step - Oil-Free Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin

  • Keeps skin moisturized and doesn't leave an oily residue




Key Ingredients:

"Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are both recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. dermatologists as effective acne-fighting ingredients.  

Salicylic acid acts like an exfoliant to promote the easy removal of dead skin cells. As such, it helps keep pores unclogged and reduce the buildup of P. acnes bacteria.

Benzoyl peroxide (BPO), on the other hand, is an oxygen-releasing ingredient that kills bacteria. P. acnes bacteria flourish when there’s a lack of oxygen, like in a clogged pore. By creating an oxygen-rich environment, BPO can help reduce the number of P. acnes bacteria that can cause lesions to form. It also can help in dissolving the buildup of dead skin cells.

The combination of these ingredients attacks acne in multiple ways to not only help clear up existing acne but also help keep future acne from forming in the first place." (Mary Kay Site)


Another plus is that the products are not very expensive!


Prior to using Clear Proof
After 2 days: Redness
After 2 weeks: I did get a new pimple but it faded away quickly

After 3 weeks

My acne scars have lightened up :)
Resources/Links:
Clear Proof®: FAQ
Clear Proof Twitter: @MaryKayUS
Clear Proof Facebook: Mary Kay

***I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.***