Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsMore gentle than BP creams
Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2019
Overall I liked this. I've tried a couple different BP washes and this is comparable to the other one I tried. And it's less expensive, so that's good.
I've also used BP creams, the kind that you leave on your skin for an extended period of time. Even when you use a BP cream with a lower concentration than this, like 2.5%, it tends to be irritating because of the fact that you leave it on your skin. I have to use a lot of moisturizer with BP creams to prevent dryness and irritation.
With this product, though, the irritation is greatly reduced for me. Just remember to wash it off after a few minutes. I noticed some of the reviewers on here were not using it correctly. You're not supposed to leave it on like cream. That's going to cause a lot more irritation.
Perhaps the instructions on the product aren't clear enough. I would recommend using this in the shower. Wet your skin and wash the parts of your skin that are prone to acne with this product. You might want to lather it a bit in your hands first. When you apply it to your skin, be gentle. I don't recommend using a washcloth because I fear it would be too irritating. Just use your hands and avoid scrubbing your skin. Scrubbing will cause inflammation which can make acne worse. If you feel that you need to exfoliate your skin, consider a gentle chemical exfoliant like salicylic acid.
I would suggest washing any parts of your body that are prone to acne, not just areas that have active pimples. When you use a BP product like this daily it will have a preventative effect against acne in the long term, localized to the areas of your skin where you consistently use it. If possible, try to leave the product on your skin for several minutes while you're still in the shower. I know this can be tricky though because you will still need to remember to wash it off before you get out of the shower.
I recommend using a moisturizer after you get out of the shower. There is still a strong possibility of irritation with any BP product and using a moisturizer will help with that. Try to find a moisturizing lotion or cream that doesn't clog your pores and won't make the acne worse. You might want to research that a little to make sure you're using a moisturizer that is appropriate for you. It doesn't need to be anything fancy. The simpler the better, really. For best results, apply the moisturizer while your skin is still damp after bathing.
Sorry if I'm throwing too much at you, but here's one more idea: wear sunscreen. You really should always be wearing sunscreen during the day but it's even more important when using a product like this because it will make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
Sunscreen is the foundation of any good skincare routine.
I should also mention that for me, this product wasn't enough by itself to get rid of my acne. This is suitable for mild to moderate acne but may not be enough for severe cystic acne like what I have. In my case, I had to see a dermatologist and get on Accutane/isotretinoin. So just keep in mind that if your acne is really bad you should see a dermatologist if possible. They won't necessarily put you on Accutane if that's not the best choice for you, but it may be something to consider.
For most people, though, this is a great choice. Just remember that you have options. Acne is a serious disease and should be treated as such. It's not just a cosmetic condition. It can be physically painful, may cause permanent scarring when it's severe, and leads to a great deal of anxiety and depression for many people. Remember that you're not alone in dealing with this disease. Effective treatments are available if you seek them out.
