Acne is very stubborn, from maskne (mask acne) that just won’t go away to hormonal acne you’re tempted to pick, the state of your skin can be unpredictable. To help fight stubborn acne, Neutrogena recently launched two new acne-fighting products: Stubborn Texture Liquid Exfoliating Treatment and Stubborn Acne Ultra-Thin Blemish Patches. Backed by brand ambassador Halle Bailey, these products are additions to the Stubborn collection, which caters to your most stubborn skin concerns such as blackheads, textured skin, scarring, and more.
How I Tested
Neutrogena stuck by my side when those first pesky signs of puberty popped up across my face, when stress bumps made their appearance during exam week, and now when dealing with adult acne. As a brand that’s been a consistent part of my skin-care journey, I was curious to see how Neutrogena’s Blemish Patches and Exfoliating Treatment would hold up. I picked up the acne patches and exfoliating treatment from my local Target to try. Read on for my full Neutrogena patches and exfoliant review.
How it Works
Stubborn Texture Liquid Exfoliating Treatment
The Stubborn Texture Liquid Exfoliating Treatment is a chemical exfoliant, so it doesn’t require harsh scrubbing that can upset and irritate acne-prone skin. All you have to do is apply an even layer to your skin after cleansing, then let the treatment work its magic. The exfoliating treatment has a 7% AHA blend that dissolves dead skin cells and removes excess oil that can cause acne.
I admit I was a little nervous to try the exfoliant. Despite the label saying it’s “gentle,” I worried my skin would have a temper tantrum, since I don’t use facial products that often. I waited until after my work shift when my skin was at its greasiest to try the exfoliant, and it really got the job done. The exfoliant removed excess oil from my T-zone without it feeling dry and scratchy. Although I cleansed beforehand, it lifted leftover dirt, leaving my skin soft and without any redness. If you’re just starting with an exfoliator, it’s recommended to use it once or twice a week and follow up with sunscreen.
Stubborn Acne Ultra-Thin Blemish Patches
READ RELATED: 26 Shea Butter Benefits & Uses — for Skin Repair & More
Pimple patches work by drawing moisture out of the skin, binding the moisture into a gel (made of hydrocolloid), and drawing it away from the skin’s surface. The Stubborn Acne Ultra-Thin Blemish Patches are water-resistant and come in two sizes. You can apply them on small blackheads or larger body acne areas. Full disclaimer that pimple patches are not an overnight solution, as SELF has previously reported. Though if you’re a pimple popper (who isn’t tempted?), it can help keep you from picking your face. Pimple picking only worsens blemishes by adding unnecessary dirt and bacteria onto your face. Since popped pimples are like an open wound, wearing a pimple patch will help speed up the recovery process and prevent you from touching the area.
Before going to work I applied two small, circular patches to two bumps near my shoulder. The patches are super thin and unnoticeable, but I should mention that they only come in one sandy color. If you have melanated skin, the patches will be more noticeable. After four hours the center of the patch became slightly raised as the impurities were pulled from my bump. It was a teensy bit painful pulling off the patch, but my pimples reduced in size by half. Overall I really liked that it was mess-free. There’s no scrubbing, rubbing, or rinsing needed—just stick on and go about your day.
Should You Buy It?
Yes! Simply put, it works and it made my skin-care treatment easy. Whether or not you have acne-prone skin, everyone is prone to clogged pores. The Stubborn Texture Liquid Exfoliating Treatment makes a great “once in a while” exfoliant for days when your skin feels bleh. If you have acne-prone skin, it can be a great addition to your skin-care routine by removing stubborn dirt that a regular cleanser leaves behind. The Stubborn Acne Ultra-Thin Blemish Patches were easy to use and lasted an entire work day. Most importantly, the pimples didn’t come back.
Acne can be downright difficult to deal with at times, but these products can help. These new products are pretty accessible but are selling out quickly, so if you see the patches or exfoliant in a drugstore near you—grab them.
Related:
Source: SELF
