Clean & Clear is one of the leading brands of acne cleansers and medications. There are several types, including full kits and morning scrubs. The cleansers and kit listed here all use benzoyl peroxide to remove bacteria that causes acne. Personally, benzyl peroxide is the only thing that works. The three Clean and Clear products being compared all work. Acne is reduced after several days and breakouts are greatly reduced when the product is continually used. The question is: Which product is worth the money based on other factors?
Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Control Kit: The kit comes with three products. There is the Acne Control Cleanser, Acne Control Moisturizer and Fast Clearing Spot Treatment. Each one has its own job. The Cleanser uses benzoyl peroxide to fight bacteria, the moisturizer cleans the pores and the spot treatment clears up pimples in hours and prevents new ones. The Advantage Acne Control Kit does exactly what it says it does.
The pros: The kit is excellent for heavy acne problems. None of the products smell bad or burn the skin. The spot treatment might seem like a small bottle, but there is plenty in every bottle to last over a month. The kit costs $20, which is half the cost of other popular acne kits on the market. There is no requirement to keep purchasing the kit and having it sent to your house.
The cons: You have to use all three products twice a day, every day. This can be time consuming, especially when you add in any other steps in your daily routine. They also make your skin dry, despite one of the products being called a “moisturizer.” You will need a skin moisturizer and that adds another step to the process. If you stop using the kit, your skin will quickly break out again.
Clean & Clear Continuous Control Acne Cleanser: This product is one bottle of benzoyl peroxide acne fighting formula. It is made to keep working for 12 hours, preventing acne before it starts. It does exactly that.
The pros: One bottle means only one application twice a day. It is quick and painless to wet face, clean face, dry. It is has a nice smell from the perfume listed in the ingredients. At only $6.50 a bottle, it is much cheaper than any kit and will help anyone with medium acne problems. One bottle will last over a month. The product does not dry out your skin, which is a huge plus, but it won’t make your skin silky smooth and soft either.
The cons: You still might want a moisturizer, adding cost and time. Some people might think that $6.50 is a lot when soap and a bottle on benzoyl peroxide cost so much less.
Image Essentials Continuous Control Acne Cleanser: This product is the cheap copy version of Clean & Clear Continuous Control Acne Cleanser. Every ingredient listed on the bottle is exactly the same.
The pros: It is the same product at a fraction of the cost. You will save a few dollars. It will work against acne.
The cons: It might have the same ingredients listed, but this product has a different texture and scent. The texture is gritty and not smooth. Whatever “perfume” they used stinks. It smells more like the peroxide. It dries out the skin more than the Clean & Clear version.
Product recommendation: If you have a heavy acne problem, start out using the Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Control Kit until it is completely gone. By then, your face will be clear or as clear as can be. Switch to the Clean & Clear Continuous Control Acne Cleanser after that and keep using it. The kit will get the tough job done and the cleanser will keep your skin clear. If you have medium to light acne, you could just use the cleanser and save $20. Acne products are one situation where you should avoid store brand copies.
Sources:
Benzoyl peroxide, WebMD
Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Control Kit, Johnson & Johnson
Clean & Clear Continuous Acne Cleanser, Johnson & Johnson
