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This anti-acne scrub is medicated with 2% salicylic acid, yet this ingredient’s benefit for breakouts is best gained from leave-on, not rinse-off, products. Even so, it’s important to note that a scrub isn’t ideal for acne. Acne isn’t about skin being unclean, and it cannot be scrubbed away. If anything, scrubbing acne-prone skin can make redness and breakouts worse due to the barrier disruption and inflammation it can incite. Luckily, this scrub contains gentle bead-like exfoliating granules that roll over skin rather than tear it.
Like most scrubs, this also contains cleansing agents so it’s essentially a 2-in-1 product; however, although this is a good option for normal to oily skin, it’s not preferred for breakout-prone skin. The salicylic acid is rinsed down the drain before it can truly help your skin.
Gentle exfoliating microbeads unclogs pores, controls oil and clears breakouts. Leaves skin soft and shine free.
AcneFree At-A-Glance
Strengths: Some of the products in the kit are well formulated for mild to moderate acne; utilizes gold standard anti-acne ingredient benzoyl peroxide.
Weaknesses: None of the kits are all-in-one solutions for those with acne or blackheads (every kit has at least one problematic product that will make acne worse); none of the kits include a product with sunscreen (even those with oily, acne-prone skin need sun protection); no effective products with anti-acne salicylic acid.
AcneFree is a small group of skin-care products sold in sets. As you may have guessed from the brand name, this is a line that's all about treating acne. You'll find this brand in most major drugstores, but it's not the acne treatment system to beat!
Owned by University Medical Pharmaceuticals, you'd think these products would be a slam-dunk for acne, but they're not. Although the kits contain some good products, all of them feature at least one product that's not effective for its intended purpose or contains irritating ingredients that will make your acne worse.
Just because the company claims these kits (systems) are the #1 best-selling in America doesn't mean they work; rather, it means that a lot of consumers with acne are buying the wrong products. We understand the frustration of struggling with breakouts. You want something that works to get rid of them, and the faster the better. It would be great if AcneFree could make good on all of its promises, but it simply doesn't, at least not 100%.
For more information about AcneFree, call 1.800.321.4576 or visit www.acnefree.com.
About the Experts
The Beautypedia team consists of skin care and makeup experts personally trained by the original Cosmetics Cop and best-selling beauty author, Paula Begoun. We’re fascinated by skin care and makeup products and thrilled when they meet or exceed our expectations, but we’re also disappointed when they fail to perform as claimed, are wildly overpriced, or contain ingredients scientific research has proven can hurt skin.
Our mission has always been to help you find the best products for your skin, no matter your budget or preferences. Beautypedia’s thorough and insightful reviews cut through the hype and provide reliable recommendations for all ages, skin types, and skin tones.
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