Disclaimer: The products featured were provided for review.
If you've been following the blog for a while, you'll know that I've been a long-time acne sufferer. In high school I had very serious acne all over my face and although things have gotten significantly better over the years, I still get the occasional patches of breakouts along my jawline.
Nowadays, I use the Proactiv Repairing Treatment on a regular basis in combination with my non-acne care skin care routine, but every once in a while I'll test out a new acne treatment product. So today I want to share with you my experience with the Murad Blemish Control Travel Set ($40 CAD), which includes a Clarifying Cleanser, a Blemish Clearing Solution, and a Oil-Control Mattifier. How well does this blemish control system work? Read on to find out.......
The Blemish Control range includes quite a lot of products so this kit is only a sampling of three products:
Clarifying Cleanser ($25 CAD for Full-size):
Made with salicylic acid that promises to fight acne hours after rinsing and silver citrate that banishes acne-causing bacteria, this is a foaming cleansing gel. The gel lathers well and really cleanses the skin but immediately after washing it off, my skin felt very dry and tight. I have combination skin so I can withstand some salicylic acid but this one is really strong. Because of how drying it is, I would probably use this only during the summer and only when my acne is really bad.
Blemish Clearing Solution ($45 CAD for Full-size):
This is a gentle acne treatment gel formulated with 0.5% salicylic acid and tea tree oil. The texture is quite lightweight and applies very smoothly. I've used it for a couple of weeks and it does help speed up breakouts on my chin; however, after a week or so, my forehead started breaking out with tiny bumps and this product just wasn't helping. After I switched back to my Proactiv, the bumps disappeared within a couple of days.
Additionally, this product makes my skin feel extra oily. My shine production increases noticeably, to the point that I wouldn't use this unless I'm staying home all day.
Oil Control Mattifier SPF 15 ($40 CAD for Full-size):
Infused with willow bark and argan extracts, this is an instantly effective mattifier. The product sets so quickly that I can hardly spread it around before it becomes matte. The formulation is not as moisturizing as I'd like, even for daytime and although it keeps my face shine-free, it only lasts a couple of hours before the dreadful shine starts to reappear.
Overall:
This cute little kit is great if you want to try out some acne treatment products from Murad. I think it's very hard to find a system that works consistently for everybody, so a starter kit is always great. None of these three products from this kit really worked for me. They each have some positive attributes, but overall I found the cleanser too drying, the treatment gel not effective enough on my forehead area (although it works well at reducing fresh breakouts along my jawline), and the mattifier set too quickly.
Availability:
Murad is available online in Canada here. The site offers free samples with every purchase; use the special promo code HAPPY to get free shipping until August 15th, 2015.
Nowadays, I use the Proactiv Repairing Treatment on a regular basis in combination with my non-acne care skin care routine, but every once in a while I'll test out a new acne treatment product. So today I want to share with you my experience with the Murad Blemish Control Travel Set ($40 CAD), which includes a Clarifying Cleanser, a Blemish Clearing Solution, and a Oil-Control Mattifier. How well does this blemish control system work? Read on to find out.......
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| Murad Blemish Control Travel Set |
Clarifying Cleanser ($25 CAD for Full-size):
Made with salicylic acid that promises to fight acne hours after rinsing and silver citrate that banishes acne-causing bacteria, this is a foaming cleansing gel. The gel lathers well and really cleanses the skin but immediately after washing it off, my skin felt very dry and tight. I have combination skin so I can withstand some salicylic acid but this one is really strong. Because of how drying it is, I would probably use this only during the summer and only when my acne is really bad.
Blemish Clearing Solution ($45 CAD for Full-size):
This is a gentle acne treatment gel formulated with 0.5% salicylic acid and tea tree oil. The texture is quite lightweight and applies very smoothly. I've used it for a couple of weeks and it does help speed up breakouts on my chin; however, after a week or so, my forehead started breaking out with tiny bumps and this product just wasn't helping. After I switched back to my Proactiv, the bumps disappeared within a couple of days.
Additionally, this product makes my skin feel extra oily. My shine production increases noticeably, to the point that I wouldn't use this unless I'm staying home all day.
Oil Control Mattifier SPF 15 ($40 CAD for Full-size):
Infused with willow bark and argan extracts, this is an instantly effective mattifier. The product sets so quickly that I can hardly spread it around before it becomes matte. The formulation is not as moisturizing as I'd like, even for daytime and although it keeps my face shine-free, it only lasts a couple of hours before the dreadful shine starts to reappear.
Overall:
This cute little kit is great if you want to try out some acne treatment products from Murad. I think it's very hard to find a system that works consistently for everybody, so a starter kit is always great. None of these three products from this kit really worked for me. They each have some positive attributes, but overall I found the cleanser too drying, the treatment gel not effective enough on my forehead area (although it works well at reducing fresh breakouts along my jawline), and the mattifier set too quickly.
Availability:
Murad is available online in Canada here. The site offers free samples with every purchase; use the special promo code HAPPY to get free shipping until August 15th, 2015.
