Garnier Pure SOS Blemish Clear Pen

I've been using benzoyl peroxide to spot treat my pimples, and then more liberally using the Dan Kern regimen (check out my past post on that here). But while I've proven BP's efficacy time and time again in blasting away annoying zits, the skin dryness and residual dark spots are two things that I'd rather not have. Thus it's no surprise that I haven't been completely loyal to BP and am always on the prowl for a better alternative. Cue Garnier Pure SOS Blemish clear pen.

The thing that sold me on the Pure SOS Blemish Clear Pen was its promise of immediately drying out imperfections and reducing dark spots.

It has a slanted tip and the directions say that you're supposed to squeeze out the gel and apply it directly from the tip. But I usually just squeeze out some gel on my finger and pat it on the zit. I don't think there's any difference really in efficacy whether you apply it directly from the tube or use your finger (but make sure your hands are clean though!).

After application, the blemished area immediately tingles and stings. It's not really painful, but if it's your first time to use it, you may be surprised with how hot it feels. Don't worry, it goes away after a few seconds.

The gel sits on top of the skin without being absorbed, hence I discovered that it's best to use at night on clean skin without moisturizer. Since the gel doesn't get absorbed, any form of moisturizer will only act as a barrier between it and the blemished area, lessening the efficacy. How do I know this? Because when I apply the gel on top of moisturizer, it doesn't sting as much.

That's exactly what I don't like about Pure SOS Blemish Clear Pen. When using it, you have to choose between it and your moisturizer. What I end up doing is I use it at night and then just apply moisturizer in the morning without spot treatment.

The gel really means business though, because a red, angry pimple is significantly lessened by morning, with a dry spot all around it attesting to its defeat. Pimples are completely decimated in 3-5 days without leaving a dark spot behind.

I suggest using Pure SOS Blemish Clear Pen for spot treatment only because it is extremely drying and you can't counteract the dryness with moisturizer. Compare that with BP which is absorbed by the skin, so you can slather moisturizer after it to prevent dryness.

After about 2 months of using it, I'm not completely impressed and will probably go back to BP after I finish the tube. There's still nothing like your first love:p

*Garnier Pure SOS Blemish Clear Pen retails for about Php145-Php150 for a 10ml tube and is available at Watson's and SM Department Stores.

‹ previous

232 of 1899

next ›