Oh Clinique Anti-Acne Concealer, how you complete me so!
Written: Mar 31 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: covers everything, blends well, lasts all day, shine free, amazingly worked at reducing blemishes
Cons: pricey, may be drying for some, thick formula takes practice to blend, not for undereyes
The Bottom Line: Hands down the best concealer I've used for blemishes.
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| baby_pie's Full Review: Clinique Anti-Acne Control Formula |
Have you ever been asked that question, "If you could only use one beauty product what would it be?" I have and each time I've answered "foundation". My make-up free face almost always has a couple of spot blemishes, nothing too scary but enough so that concealer is a daily must. But up until this point, although I've found some good ones, they were never quite enough to cover my blemishes perfectly and become my one "must have product". I've recently discovered Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Concealing Cream (slightly different name, same product as pictured) and it's so good, it's so super-amazing-magical-perfect that it is easily my answer anytime I'm asked about my one beauty product. Easily.
Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Concealer comes in a small green tube with a twist off lid. The opening of the tube is a very tiny hole which is the perfect size to control application and avoid wastage. You get .5Fl.Oz/15ml. The price is approx. US$12.50/AUS$35. This is by far the most I've ever spent on a concealer and when I saw the small tube I didn't think it would last very long. But I have had it for over a month now and the tube doesn't even look used. I can tell this product is going to last at least a year as you only need the tinniest amount.
It is allergy tested and 100% fragrance free. It is available in 3 shades, 01 light, 02 medium, 03 dark. I use the lightest shade and find it a perfect match.
The ingredients are as follows:
water purified, colloidal sulfurcetyl esters, peg-8, peg-100 stearate, glyceryl stearate, silicac 12-15 alkyl benzoate, talc, salicylic acid, cetearyl alcohol, magnesium aluminum silicate, ceteareth-20, xanthan gum, polysorbate 60, peg-150 distearate, may contain iron oxides, titanium dioxide.
Clinique says:
"...Medicated Concealing Cream helps clear blemishes as it covers..."
Now I read this on the box and didn't really expect much from this claim. I've used so-called healing concealers before that didn't work, most notably Maybelline's version which I've written a review on. So I was very surprised when lo and behold, this stuff really DOES zap breakouts!
I first noticed it when I applied to a section on my chin that had been troublesome of late. I had a group of 4 or 5 blemishes clustered together into one ugly mess. The usual treatments such as Clearasil hadn't made an impact for several days so I tried Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Concealing Cream with the intention of hiding these nasties, not even remembering that this concealer contained salicylic acid. By then end of the day as I washed my make-up off I noticed that the blemishes had almost halved in size and had begun drying out! I re-read the box and noticed that it said to apply twice a day so on impulse I re-applied a tiny amount before bed in the name of experimentation. Come morning and they had shrunk even more! I couldn't believe it.
Clinique Concealing Cream's medicated ingredient is salicylic acid. I wasn't able to find the concentration of salicylic acid on the packaging or the website but I suspect it's somewhere between 1-2% as anything lower than this has never been effective on me. If you really need to know try contacting clinique.com or asking a consultant behind their counter.
But...does it conceal?
Clinique says:
"...looks smooth, matte, natural..."
In addition to stopping breakouts in their tracks, this miracle in a tube is also a wonderful concealer. It covers every little blemish and redness.
While it covers it seems to almost disappear into my skin. It is the first time EVER I can get away with applying concealer and a little powder while skipping the foundation if I wished. There are no obvious patches of concealer, it doesn't settle into pores and it doesn't flake. The finish is indeed smooth, matte and natural.
"...Blends easily..."
The first thing you'll notice about Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Concealing Cream is that it is very thick. It took me a few tries to realise that I needed to rub the concealer between my fingers to warm it up a little before attempting to apply. If you don't do this it will not apply evenly and your concealer will look obvious. Once I had this technique perfected I found that it does blend easily and sits well under foundation (or powder). But be careful that you don't rub for more than a few seconds as this is a very thick formula that will dry and set on your fingers quicker than you will think.
"...Long wearing..."
I find it lasts all day without changing consistency or fading. But it's not waterproof so it washes off easily.
"...gentle, non-drying formula..."
For me this concealer is a perfect balance. I have oily-prone but not super-oily skin, and my skin is not easily irritated so I haven't had any problems. However depending on your skin type you should be cautious before using. Dry skins and even normal skins might find this formula is too dry. Clinique suggests using every other day if you experience flaking or drying. Also, if you have sensitive skin the salicylic acid could irritate.
This is the best concealer I have ever used and I'm thrilled to bits to have found it. Since I began using it my skin is much clearer which is something I would have never expected from a concealer of all things. I do want to mention though that this product should not be considered a solution for anyone with severe breakouts or acne. It works for me but I only have occasional small-ish blemishes. I have heard of it working for more severe cases but don't expect it to replace any current treatment. The name itself is sort of misleading and I need to stress that this is a make-up product that is medicated, not a treatment product or "solution". As for the "Anti-Acne" part, is anyone out there Pro-Acne?
It sounds strange to apply concealer after washing your face before bed. But it really does work. I find that I don't always need to apply twice a day, once is sometimes enough to dry out an existing blemish. For new breakouts I still apply at night as well and find this stops it from fully developing.
Overall I'm sure you can tell I lovelovelove this product. If I'm ever a contestant on Survivor this would be the one thing I'd take!
Recommended:
Yes
Coverage: Medium to heavy coverage
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Epinions.com ID:
baby_pie
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Member: Mary
Reviews written: 119
Trusted by: 39 members
About Me:
I come from the land Down Under, now living in the land Up Over ;)
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