La Roche Posay Effaclar K: What You Get for Your Money

April 6th, 2010 admin Posted in Acne Treament Gel, Adult Acne, Over-The-Counter, Treatment No Comments »



List Price: $23.90 USD
New From: $14.13 In Stock
Release date September 21, 2006.

When you examine the list of ingredients on the vast majority of skin care products, what you will inevitably find, is that most of them have absolutely nothing to do with the problem you're seeking treatment for.

Rather, the majority of them are things like stabilizers and preservatives. Stuff to keep everything from separating and decomposing. So what I like to do is focus solely on what's in a product to treat a condition. Acne, dry skin, etc.

Understand this. At $20 per ounce, La Roche Posay Effaclar K is 60% water. So then, let's see what the other 40% is made up of and what it will do for your skin.

It does contain salicylic acid, which is one of the milder exfoliants. When I say milder, I do mean gentle on your skin. Salicylic acid is becoming increasingly popular because most of the stronger exfoliants tend to irritate.

This product also contains propylene glycol, which is a very effective emollient. (Moisturizer). So between the salicylic acid and the propylene glycol, it will effectively strip your skin of dead skin cells and infuse it with moisture.

La Roche Posay Effaclar K contains nothing that will actually “kill” acne causing bacteria. So if you're considering buying it to treat acne, you should seriously consider using it in conjunction with a product that contains say, benzoil peroxide.

In my opinion, this is no wonder treatment by any means. However; as stated above, it will exfoliate and help to moisten your skin. Also it appears to be a treatment product that is very unlikely to cause any irritation, if used as directed.

Read More Reviews on La Roche Posay Effaclar K

I had minimal acne all through high school but in my first year of college it really started to become noticeable. I tried different topical ointments from the dermatologist (such as differin), as well as oral antibiotics. Nothing made much of an impact and I disliked using all of them. Then I bought this because of all the positive reviews, and let me tell you, they're right! It's really gentle on my skin, smells nice, and in just the two days I've been using it I already notice a difference. I'm sure glad I got this instead of the more difficult and harsh kits that are also available online, though keep in mind my acne wasn't severe.
Posted by: Andrew S

This product is a waste of money. After reading some of the positive reviews, I decided to waste $20+ on it to see if it will help. I used it on my mild acne for over a month and I didn't notice the smallest change or effectiveness. Don't buy this product. Waste of money and time.
Posted by: Mark O

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Philosophy Hope in a Bottle – Better Living Through Modern Chemistry

April 5th, 2010 admin Posted in Adult Acne, Effective Prevention Techniques, Research and News, Treatment No Comments »

After researching this product thoroughly, I was left with the feeling that they have given it the wrong name. You see if you have skin moisture problems, this would be more aptly named “sure thing in a bottle”.

The reason is simple and that is that when they were formulating this product with four powerful synthesized moisturizers and even a good sealant, they seemed to have thrown the whole chemical war chest in the vat.

They are dicaprate, glyceryl stearate, propylene glycol and dimethicone and you don't need to be a rocket scientist to know that none of this is in any way natural or organic.

So with so many chemicals at work to plump up your skin, it's really no wonder that they ended up using one of the more milder exfolaints that are available. Salicylic acid. You don't want your skin exfoliated too much with this powerful concoction.

So if you're looking for something natural or organic, just keep on looking because they included not so much as even one herbal derivative or extract. It's called better living through modern chemistry. Pure and simple.

Also another nice thing about Philosophy Hope in a Bottle, is that considering that it definitely does work, it really doesn't cost that much. Granted at around $40 for a two ounce bottle, it isn't cheap. All the same, it's cheaper than a lot of products out there that don't even work.

Read More Reviews on Philosophy Hope in a Bottle

unnoticeable. The smell is very medicine-y so I only use it at night. It also makes my I spend a lot of time in the sun, so of course I had been trying a moisturizer with SPF. But the SPF was tearing my skin apart, I was breaking out real bad, which is unusual for me. I stopped using the SPF moisturizer and within a few days the breakouts stopped, but they weren't going away. The Hope in a Bottle made a noticeable difference. Within just a few days my breakouts were almost skin feel greasy after I go out in the sun/heat, another reason I only use it at night. But, it works great and I think it was money well spent.
Posted by Mark S

I got this for christmas a year ago and it lasted almost the full year. You do not need to use too much and works great. I immediately bought another bottle when it ran out!
Posted by Lisa M

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Pregnancy and Acne: A Very Serious Topic

January 24th, 2010 admin Posted in Adult Acne, Pregnancy and Acne, Research and News, Uncategorized No Comments »

One of the side effects of pregnancy on the bodies systems is an increased level of hormones that in turn, can produce a number of changes on the skin, with acne being one of them. In women who aren't pregnant, there is the option of treating the acne with a number of readily available drugs including Accutane.

However; for women who are in even the very earliest stages of their pregnancy, drugs like Accutane in particular, simply aren't an option. It's important to bear in mind that as it pertains to pregnancy and acne, drugs that are deemed relatively safe can have long term effects on unborn children that still remain unknown.

Common Acne Treatment Drugs


(Accutane) should not even be considered in even the most severe cases of pregnancy and acne. In fact it is recommended that women who feel that they might become pregnant should stop taking this drug one month beforehand. Fact: fully 25-35 percent of pregnancies where Accutane exposure occurs in the first trimester do result in birth defects.

(Retin-A) also carries a warning regarding pregnancy and acne on its label. Although no known birth defects have resulted from its use, the fact remains that an unacceptable level of this drug will pass from the mother to the infant being carried in the womb.

(Tetracyclene) is an antibiotic that is commonly prescribed for acne. Once again this is another drug that should not be taken during pregnancy, as it has been shown to inhibit bone development. Another side effect on children who were exposed to this drug as infants, is a yellowing of the teeth.

Pregnancy and Acne - Safety and Prevention

The risk to unborn children presented by Accutane is so great that doctors who prescribe it to women in their childbearing years commonly recommend that two forms of birth control be used simultaneously. It's just that dangerous to unborn children.

Prior to taking Accutane, all doctors will also require that a pregnancy test be taken at least one week before hand. It's also highly recommended that women who are being considered for Accutane undergo counseling to learn how various birth control methods can fail.

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Exposed Acne Treatment: An Unbiased Review

January 23rd, 2010 admin Posted in Acne Treatments, Adult Acne, Other, Over-The-Counter, Research and News, Uncategorized No Comments »

Well here we go again. Yet one more acne treatment system with all the wonderful claims made my its makers. Add it on the growing stack of products of this sort and there are many. However; if it truly does work, Exposed acne treatment should deserve a special place in that pile.

So then whats different about this system because its makers and promoters claim in their literature that it came about as the result of a “special collaboration” between dermatologists and medical researchers. I'll tell you whats different. Absolutely nothing!

It's just another three stage system that relies on benzoil peroxide as its active ingredient. Ah! But there's salicylic acid in there too and it does kill acne causing bacteria, as well as exfoliate. Well guess what?? That's just the chemical name for (common aspirin), which brings me to my biggest gripe.

Four 2oz containers for $70??

That would be their price and container sizes. The kit sells for almost $70 and the containers in the kit are tiny! Of course there's no travel size.. Because if the containers in the kit were made any smaller, you could fit the whole package in a common envelope.

The irony is that Exposed acne treatment doesn't have to be this way. Benzoil peroxide does work and theirs even contains a micronized variety, as do so many others now. It's all marketing gimmickry. Jack up the price and people will think that its something special. Small containers will bring them back for more all the sooner.

Trust me. You can buy this kit if you want because it will in fact work. However; before you do, take a little time to check out others like Proactiv Or Obagi Nu Derm. These are both similar multi stage systems that cost about half as much and they have also been proven to work.

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For You Personally: What’s the Best Over the Counter Acne Treatment?

January 22nd, 2010 admin Posted in Acne Questions and How-To's, Acne Treatments, Adult Acne, Effective Prevention Techniques, Over-The-Counter, Research and News No Comments »

When you survey what's generally available today in non prescription acne medicines, what you'll find is the following: Creams & toners, masks, pads & wipes, spot treatments, cleansers, lotions and moisturizers and astringents. So just what is the best over the counter acne treatment today? The best for you personally?

Some, you no doubt may have already heard of, while others you may not have. Also even to this day, new treatment strategies are being developed and tested. New ways for people like yourself to get the upper hand in their personal battle to reclaim their skin as it was.

So then, with all that's currently available today, which product or set of products should you use? To start off with you have to understand that in most cases, it will be more than one acne treatment product that you finally attain results with. However; this is not to say that you may be one of those lucky people who get optimal results from just one treatment product.

Step one in your quest to locate the best over the counter acne treatment product should be to learn what all of the most common and most effective active ingredients are in over the counter products themselves. By doing so you can expedite your search, learn to manage side effects and also keep from being bamboozled by tricky advertizing techniques that are meant to mislead.

Benzoil Peroxide - Examined Close Up


So lets take a close up look at benzoil perioxide. Possibly the most common and definitely one of the most effective killers of acne causing bacteria. This cheap and effective acne wonder drug functions by killing bacteria deep inside hair follicles and skin pores and also by exfoliating the skin, even far beyond the surface.

So just how effective is benzoil peroxide? The answer to that is, as of date, medical researchers have failed to come up with any other substance, (over the counter or prescription) that can even match benzoil peroxide in overall effectiveness. Not even powerful prescription antibiotics work as well.

Two other important facts worth knowing are as follows: Acne bacteria can't build up a resistance to benzoil peroxide and also its overall effect is magnified when used in conjunction with (clindamicin), a common acne treatment antibiotic thats also found in some of the best over the counter acne treatment products.

Benzoil Peroxide: Potential Side Effects

The fact is that benzoil peroxide is not a benign substance. In fact it's rather harsh and decades ago was even used as a fabric bleach. Even under normal circumstances it can lead to mild redness and skin drying but in most cases of more severe negative reactions, it is overuse that's to blame. However; some people can experience a sever (allergic reaction). ( Blistering, swelling, burning)

You would be well advised initially avoid gravitating towards products containing the highest concentrations of benzoil peroxide. You may have already heard some adds for “allegedly” some of the best over the counter acne treatment products with concentrations as high as 10%. The fact is, numerous clinical studied have shown that in the vast majority of cases, a concentration of 2.5% will deliver the “exact same” results as a 10% concentration but with far less risk of side effects.

How to Use Benzoil Peroxide Products

No matter what any add says, benzoil peroxide is only effective proactively, (which means to prevent). This also means that once a blemish takes hold and begins to develop, any amount of benzoil peroxide will have “zero effect” on it. Also, products containing this substance deliver the best results if used consistently and even then, can take up 7-10 weeks to produce their optimal effects.

Once you find and start in with the best acne treatment product for you, if it contains benzoil peroxide its always best of you start off gradually then work your way up. It's the drying & irritating effects that will determine how much and how often you can apply it, so take it easy at first and in the long run you'll be glad that you did. This particularly holds true if you have sensitive and or dark skin.

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