No matter how old you are, blemishes and pimples are a universal skincare concern. It could be hormonal, due to a bad cleansing routine, environmental factors, or simply because of diet or intolerance, but little spots can become extremely embarrassing. Although many of us try everything possible to get rid of unsightly marks and prevent more from popping up, many prescription treatments and remedies are far too harsh for sensitive skins and can aggravate the problem even further. Clinique's new Anti-Blemish Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel aims to target problems with a 4-in-1 clearing complex, combining exfoliating and anti-blemish agents with sebum-controlling and anti-irritant ingredients.
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The formula can be used in two ways - either by being applied all over the face in a thin layer and left to work as a spot-fighting face mask, or applied directly to individual blemishes to target one specific area. The gel helps to tackle spots, breakouts and blemishes in multiple ways, without stripping the skin or leave it feeling sensitive. Salicylic Acid clears away dead surface cells that clog pores and promotes healthy cell turnover, Laminaria Saccharina helps normalise the excess production of oil, and Sea Whip Extract soothes skin to help reduce surface redness. The unique alcohol and water base provides quick absorption, while witch hazel helps to minimise excess surface oil and tightens pores.
Considering this little bottle is full of powerful ingredients, it's actually very light to the touch and has only a delicate scent. You need a really small amount on the skin, which absorbs to leave hardly any visible residue on the surface. There's no gel cocoon over pimples, which can look almost as bad as the spot itself, but just a pretty clear finish. The formula doesn't dry the surrounding areas, but just focuses on treating the blemish or troubling area, so you can cover it up with a little makeup and carry on your way.
Although I'm fortunate enough to not have seriously spotty skin, I do suffer from hormonal breakouts and little blemishes when I'm tired - this is going straight into my emergency makeup bag to be by my side as soon as it's required. I've been testing this on my boyfriend's face and have to say I was impressed how quickly the formula reduced inflammation, redness and irritation on a pretty big lump... Within a day it was pretty much completely gone. There's no magic formula to help rid ourselves of spots, but if a little bottle like this can offer serious punch then I'm definitely on board.
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The Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel is available online and via Clinique counters, priced £14.00.![]()
The formula can be used in two ways - either by being applied all over the face in a thin layer and left to work as a spot-fighting face mask, or applied directly to individual blemishes to target one specific area. The gel helps to tackle spots, breakouts and blemishes in multiple ways, without stripping the skin or leave it feeling sensitive. Salicylic Acid clears away dead surface cells that clog pores and promotes healthy cell turnover, Laminaria Saccharina helps normalise the excess production of oil, and Sea Whip Extract soothes skin to help reduce surface redness. The unique alcohol and water base provides quick absorption, while witch hazel helps to minimise excess surface oil and tightens pores.
Considering this little bottle is full of powerful ingredients, it's actually very light to the touch and has only a delicate scent. You need a really small amount on the skin, which absorbs to leave hardly any visible residue on the surface. There's no gel cocoon over pimples, which can look almost as bad as the spot itself, but just a pretty clear finish. The formula doesn't dry the surrounding areas, but just focuses on treating the blemish or troubling area, so you can cover it up with a little makeup and carry on your way.
Although I'm fortunate enough to not have seriously spotty skin, I do suffer from hormonal breakouts and little blemishes when I'm tired - this is going straight into my emergency makeup bag to be by my side as soon as it's required. I've been testing this on my boyfriend's face and have to say I was impressed how quickly the formula reduced inflammation, redness and irritation on a pretty big lump... Within a day it was pretty much completely gone. There's no magic formula to help rid ourselves of spots, but if a little bottle like this can offer serious punch then I'm definitely on board.
The Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel is available online and via Clinique counters, priced £14.00.