I was at Wa*Mart looking for a quick fix for the horrendous break out at the time. I swear it was like I was in 7th grade and about to have the “visit”. I have never had clear skin but I’ve also never had acne really bad - it just wouldn't ever go away. One of the few ways to upset me would be to screw up your face, point at mine and say What is that? Or What happened? Better yet continually stare at the huge whopper of a horn I have sprouting on my forehead while I am talking. Both situations make me feel very uneasy and insecure. Those of you who have never outgrown acne know how it feels. It sucks having to gunk up with make up only to worsen the problem. It sucks that those some of those pimples hurt so bad that you’d swear they were the source of your headache. There’s just nothing good about acne.......IT JUST SUCKS. I am here to tell you – I have found the answer! Well for me anyway.
Price and Availability
I purchased Clearasil’s Total Control 5 in 1 at Wal*Mart for $6.44. It is pretty new so you may or may not be able to find it readily. It is listed on drugstore.com just in case.
Appearance
The white container is uniquely shaped. It includes a 2.7 oz of cleanser AND a 1.3 oz. of moisturizer - yet they are separated. Think Mentadent bottle only with 2 separate pumps. There is one pop on cap that fits over both pumps and has the Clearasil Total Control multi-benefit logo on it. The front of the actual container states that the acne cleanser helps prevent blemishes and reduces shine and the moisturizer is Oil free with SPF-15, and Evens skin tone, protects from the sun and moisturizes The back has a folded up packet that contains the directions and more information as is listed below.
My GLORIOUS Experience Scent
The cleanser and the moisturizer both pretty much smell the same. Both have a clean soap smell leaning towards a sweet but not floral smell. My husband has even commented on how good it smelled when we were snuggled up at night. But guys it’s not a girly smell, you can use it too. My husband has used Clearasil’s Total Control 5 in 1 himself without any qualms. Besides the smell fades once the moisturizer has soaked in.
First use
I got home and rummaged through the bags and found Clearasil’s Total Control 5 in 1. I pulled the stuck on information package off and read the directions.
The cleanser directions state:
wet face
dispense product generously (about two pumps)
massage over face and neck
rinse thoroughly
dry for best results, use 2-3 times daily
I wasn’t sure if I should apply to a clean face or if it was meant to wash my make up off also. So I used it to take off my make up also. I used the recommended 2 pumps and it dispensed a blue gel that amounted to about 2 teaspoons. I thought NO WAY is this gonna get my make up (foundation, concealer, powder - sometimes blush and mascara too) off. I applied it to my wet face and rubbed lightly over my entire face. We are not talking foamy lather here folks. Feels like a plain ol’ liquid soap. I rinsed most of the cleanser off and glanced in the mirror to see how much of my make up was still on. To my surprise my face was clean! Make up gone! I rinsed my face off the rest of the way and patted dry with a towel. My face felt fresh again. Still didn’t look much better, but what unblemished skin was left felt soft and like it could breathe again. I picked up the directions again to see what the moisturizer set of directions had to say.
The moisturizer directions state:
Gently massage Vitamin A, E and Green Tea enriched oil-free formula over face and neck after cleansing to hydrate the skin and keep shine-prone areas under control. Use either alone or under makeup to create a soft, matte-looking finish. HMMMM I wonder – Matte finish – Is that the same as Clearasil Total Control All-Day Mattifying Moisturizer? I’ll expand on that later.
I notice that while I am reading the directions that my face is starting to feel a little tight and itchy. No suggestions on how many pumps I am allowed to use, so I use two. It is white and feels like a thin lotion. I apply the moisturizer and the tightness and itchiness is relieved immediately. As I smooth it over my face this stuff really spreads easily. Hope it works.
Subsequent Uses
I have used Clearasil’s Total Control 5 in 1 for about a month now. I originally started out using this stuff twice a day with the recommended amounts. I have found that Clearasil’s Total Control 5 in 1 can work a little too good leaving my face a little dry thus having to make up for it with extra moisturizer. So I altered the amount I use to one squirt of the cleanser and one of the moisturizer at night. In the mornings I shower and just apply one squirt of the moisturizer under my make up. The horrendous breakout that I started out with is gone. It cleared up in about a week’s time.
The moisturizer has done wonders for softening and evening my skin. The mattifing properties really work. Even under my makeup I have noticed that my face does not get shiny mid-afternoon. It’s really nice to let go and not have to worry about what my face looks like. I have even made it though a couple days without putting any make up on and not realizing it. Acne suffers are ALWAYS checking a mirror to see if a pimple has risen above the makeup. I know I make it sound like a miracle cream but I have NEVER had results like this.
Overall
If you can’t tell by now, I absolutely love Clearasil’s Total Control 5 in 1. While I do have a couple of pimples that arise now and again this product does actually work to clear them up FAST. I have also noticed my face being clearer than normal. I don’t know that any cleanser can combat all pimples before they happen. How would you know if it was the cleanser or if you just quit breaking out? Anyway, one thing’s for sure - I know now how to take control once they do happen. Total Control.
FYI
I was a little worried that the mattifing properties of the cleanser meant it was actually Clearasil Total Control All-Day Mattifying Moisturizer, which I have already reviewed. While none of the packaging actually came out and said it I had a hunch that it might be. I emailed Clearasil and got no response, so I called them. The customer service representative was very nice and verified that the cleanser AND moisturizer in the 5 in 1 package were NOT sold seperatly and that the 5 in 1 package is a different formula all together. So there you have it.
www.Clearsil.com (Last I checked this product had not been added to the website)
1-866-25-CLEAR
Once again thank you Shantel575 for added yet another product for me.
Acne Cleanser 80ml/2.7oz + Moisturizer 38ml/1.3oz. Total Control 5-in-1 Cleanser + Moisturizer uniquely combines the best of both worlds: Its advanced...More at Beauty Encounter
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