Tuesday, July 5, 2011

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!

17 comments:

  1. I had really bad acne up until a few years ago, and I tried EVERYTHING. I found Proactive to be a huge rip off. I never used Philosophy but good to know it doesn't work either. The only thing that worked for me was Accutane, but that's an intense process. I still have some breakouts, so I use The Body Shop's tea tree oil line. It works really well.

    Not to totally take over (I'm obsessed with skin care) but you should also make sure to change your pillow case every night and never rub your face with a towel.

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  2. Ooooh I will have to check these out!!! Having breakouts in your 30s kinda stinks.... Welcome back darling!
    xoxoxo
    Lia

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  3. Great tips, Andrea! I don't change my pillow case every night (only once a week) but I do avoid rubbing my face with a towel. I just pat it dry, that way my skin doesn't get irritated! Thanks for sharing!

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  4. Clean & Clear's Spot Treatment is the BEST! It's the only zit zapper I trust and it truly works overnight.

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  5. I agree with Andrea's tips. Accutane was quite intense for me so I skipped it and stuck to the usual anti biotics and a good skin regime. Keeping your face clean and yet hydrated is the key here.

    ♡ from © tanvii.com

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  6. Fab reviews, darling ~ thanks!

    xoxox,
    CC

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  7. Welcome back! I'm sad to hear of your experience with philosophy - I just picked up their exfoliator - but I will try out C&C now :)

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  8. I am going to have to try the toner. I have slightly rosey cheeks, I believe from Sea Breeze (love the smell and feel of Sea Breeze, but I think the alcohol was making my cheeks sligty red). When I am not in the shower it is difficult for me in my wheelchair to get close to the sink to wash my face, so I use tonors and other non water needing products to clense my face. I thought my find call Tee Tree Water toner at Lush was my answer, and although it makes my skin nice and soft, I don't feel it really clenses. I'm gonna give C&C a whirl. The price is definitely right!

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  9. Hey, just came accross your blog by clicking on your name on another blog...And it was def worth! That post came just on time. I was about to buy that Philisophy brand face wash. I read it was good, so I thought, having tried all the cheap brands, that don't work forever, I'll try to go to the more expenive ones... But that Clean And Clear is one I haven't tried yet. Maybe I'll try one more time a cheaper one before starting with these crazy priced face products.
    Thanks for your review, it defenetly helped!
    Btw, have u ever tried the seaweed ionic clay mask from The Body Shop. It burned me so bad, my face was red for hours after use! :-(
    G. from http://gayleswishlist.blogspot.com/

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  10. I've been curious about these products. I normally use Neutrogena!
    Thanks for sharing. :)

    xoxo,
    Mel

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  11. Love your website's design and concept. Great review -- I am always looking for good facial cleansers. xo style, she wrote

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  12. I missed your face. I am so glad that you are back. :)
    I used to live by Clean & Clear products until my skin developed some kind of sensitivity. I started breaking out every time I used anything Clean & Clear or Neutrogena. That was when I switched to Clinique and haven't had any problems since.
    I do, however, use Clean & Clear's oil absorbing films, and they work like a charm!

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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  13. Ooh I should try that astringent! Missed you too darling! Work has (and may continue to be insane) so it's been hard to blog. Hope school is going well!

    xoxo,

    Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  14. i really like the proactiv cleanser so i will definitely check out the 3-in-1 exfoliating cleanser by clean and clear. have you gotten used to saying 'fiance' yet? :)

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  15. Great reviews, definitely sounds worth the try!

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  16. Glad you ladies like the review! I hate spending money on products that don't work, so I was glad to find these to be effective.

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  17. YAY! You are back :) I missed you!

    I love this post, I am always looking for new skincare products that are affordable. I have combination skin where my T-zone is oily and the rest of my face dry, and my biggest blemish problem is blackheads (yuck!) Im going to check out my drugstore and see what Clean & Clear makes for my skin type/needs.

    xo T
    www.teresalifeandstyle.blogspot.com

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