Acne Systems & Kits
Below are a number of acne systems and kits, which provide a pre-packaged regimen for treating acne. More detailed information about the following acne products, including price, ingredient, and other information, along with user reviews in some cases, are accessible via the accompanying merchant links.
Proactiv Solution, produced by Guthy-Renker®, is probably the most well known and heavily marketed acne system available. Its primary active ingredient is benzoyl peroxide. The system has three basic components: a cleanser, a toner, and a lotion.
The "Renewing Cleanser" contains 2.5% benzoyl peroxide and microbeads to help smooth the skin. Notable ingredients in the "Revitalizing Toner," include glycolic acid and witch hazel. Finally, the "Repairing Lotion" is contains 2.5% benzoyl peroxide. When ordering the three-part system, a "Refining Mask" containing 6% sulfur is typically offered as a bonus.
Proactive also markets four-piece and five-piece systems that include the three-piece system with either or both of the following products: "Oil Free Moisture," which is a SPF 15 sunscreen and moisturizer; and, "Daily Oil Control," which is claimed to help prevent pores from clogging, makeup from streaking, and skin from shining.
Murad Acne Complex® is a four-part acne system, containing a cleanser, a gel, a cream, and a lotion. This system does not utilize benzoyl peroxide, instead using ingredients such as triclosan, salicylic acid, and sulfur.
The "Clarifying Cleanser" contains triclosan, an anti-bacterial agent. The "Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel" contains 1% salicylic acid, while the "Acne Spot Treatment" contains 3% sulfur, and, as the name indicates, is only for application to individual blemishes. The "Skin Perfecting Lotion" is an oil-free moisturizer that is claimed to reduce redness and irritation.
The AcneFree™ Severe Acne Treatment System from University Medical is primarily a benzoyl peroxide system, which is claimed to be proven more effective than Proactiv®. The system contains four components: a cleanser, a toner, a lotion, and a "Retinol Complex."
The "Antibacterial Cleansing Wash" contains benzoyl peroxide, as does the "Maximum Strength Repair Lotion," which, as the name indicates, contains the over-the-counter maximum concentration of 10% benzoyl peroxide. The "Corrective Toner" is claimed to normalize skin functions and rebalance skin chemistry to enhance healing. The "Retinol Complex" contains hyaluronic acid, a component of retinol, which is a form of Vitamin A. This product acts as a moisturizer and is designed to facilitate cell turnover.
This acne system consists of four "on a clear day" products from philosophy®, none of which contain benzoyl peroxide. The four products consist of a cleanser, a serum, and two creams.
The "treatment wash for oily skin" contains colloidal sulfur and camphor. The "blemish serum for adult acne" contains 2% salicylic acid. Of the two creams, the first is the "hydrogen peroxide cream for problem skin", which utilizes hydrogen peroxide as a more gentle alternative to benzoyl peroxide. The second cream is the "protection cream," a moisturizer that is used only once daily in the morning.
This organic acne treatment system from Nature's Gate Organics relies on tea tree oil and salicyclic acid. The three part system contains a cleanser, a toner, and a lotion.
Both the "Corrective Cleanser" and the "Controlling Lotion" contain 1% salicylic acid. The "Calming Toner" contains Oligopeptide-10, which is claimed to enhance the effectiveness of salicylic acid. All three products contain tea tree oil.
This system is paraben-free and vegan friendly.
This acne kit from Spa Sciences, consists of five topical products and an oscillating "Microdermabrasion Tool." This is another system that does not contain benzoyl peroxide, with the main active ingredient appearing to be Triclosan, an anti-bacterial agent. The five topicals are in the form of a cleanser, a toner, two lotions, and a cream. However, the products are not all to be used on the same days.
On days when the Microdermabrasion Tool is not used, the regimen consists of the "Acne Clarifying Cleanser", "Acne Sebum Control Toner", and the "Acne Repair Lotion." On days when the Microdermabrasion Tool is used, the Acne Clarifying Cleanser is used first. Then, the Microdermabrasion Tool is used, which oscillates a sponge to which the "Oil-free Exfoliation Cream" is applied. After using the Microdermabrasion Tool, the Acne Clarifying Cleanser is used again before applying the "Soothing Botanical Lotion".