Clean & Clear: Better Results, Less Expensive

Hello Lovelies! I'm glad to be back after my off and on hiatus over the last couple weeks! I have been super busy, but I've also been having a great time! Yesterday was my fiance's birthday, so I really enjoyed just spending time with him. We also went to visit his family over the weekend, and last week a friend came to visit, so we did a lot of fun things around Chicago! Still, I definitely missed you all and blogging in general, so I'm happy to say that I have a great new review for you today!

Several months ago I wrote about how I was switching from Proactiv to one of Philosophy's skincare lines (click here to see my reviews). At first I really loved it, but after a while I noticed that my breakouts were coming back. I also was becoming increasingly irritated by the high price of many of the skincare lines out there, and wanted to find something that would keep my skin clear without draining my bank account. After a little online research, I found out that Clean & Clear had a few products that worked in similar ways to those that Proactiv carries. Shortly after acquiring this information, I was on my way to pick out my new skincare routine.

Once I got to the drugstore, I first searched for a new cleanser. After opening every tube of cleanser that Clean & Clear makes (to check the consistency, etc) I decided on the 3-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser. Like Proactiv's Renewing Cleanser, the 3-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser uses benzoyl peroxide as its active ingredient and contains gentle micro-beads to exfoliate the skin. Unlike Proativ's cleanser however, this one can be purchased for under $7. Overall, I really like the way this cleanser makes my skin feel, and I definitely appreciate the fact that it works without drying out my skin (which was my biggest complaint about Proactiv).


Haute Lunch Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Trays

The next thing I needed to find was a good toner. Often, astringents can leave skin dry or irritated, so it was definitely important for me to find one that would do the job without harming my skin. Luckily, Clean & Clear makes a Deep Cleaning Astringent for Sensitive Skin that uses salicylic acid to fight breakouts. I really like that this toner is made specifically for sensitive skin, and I love that it only costs $4 and lasts for an incredibly long time! I also like that it makes my skin feel extra clean and refreshed!


Haute Lunch Rating: 5 out of 5 Trays

To finish up my new routine, I wanted to find a good spot treatment to rid of any slight blemishes that may occur. I decided on another salicylic acid based product, as I have had some luck with acne treatments using this ingredient in the past. I purchased the Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment, which was definitely the most expensive of the bunch at $7 for just 0.75 fl oz, but it's still far cheaper than many other options I've tried before. I was definitely concerned that this spot treatment would dry out my skin if I used it too often, but in the last month I've applied a thin layer of it on my entire face and neck without any issues!


Haute Lunch Rating: 4 out of 5 Trays

Overall, I am very happy with my new skincare system. Within a few days of using it, I noticed that the blemishes I had from when I was using Philosophy and Proactiv skincare products were clearing up, and have had nearly flawless skin ever since! While the results are enough to make me buy these products again, it doesn't hurt that I was able to pick up all three products for just $15 (with a coupon)! It also seems that these products lasts at least as long as the three-step system from Proactiv, so I'll be saving a littler over $30 every two months, or nearly $200 over the course of a year! I don't know about you, but I can definitely think of other things I'd rather spend $200 on than skincare!


If you're still searching for the perfect skincare line, I'd recommend giving these products a try, especially if you have oily, acne-prone skin! For those of you who have other types of skincare issues, what products do you like to use? Also, do you stick with the prestige brands, or have you found a good drugstore brand that saves you money? I'd love to hear from you!

P.S. Thanks for bearing with me over the last couple weeks while I was being a bad blogger. I always appreciate all your support, and I feel so lucky to have friends who are so caring and understanding! You're the best!

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