Battling Breakouts: Spot Treatments Overview & Comparison

I've mentioned in passing recently that I had kind of stopped using spot treatments on a regular basis; well, with a discovery of a new product, I have picked it up again. This new favorite also spurred me to mentally catalogue all the other spot treatments I've tried over the years of battling acne, and compare the various types featuring different key ingredients and their effectiveness on my skin; very much like I did in this Overview of Spot Treatments post from over 2 years ago, but with updated products. As always, your experience may vary - but hopefully you'll find some new product ideas if breakouts are still the bane of your existence.

I've selected one specific product for each active ingredient, but I'll also give examples of other products with the same active and link to more detailed reviews where possible. Let's start with something I'm sure every acne sufferer must have tried at least once in their life:

Benzoyl Peroxide: Coral Actives Penetrating Acne Serum Gel with 6% Benzoyl Peroxide ($22.95 for 1 fl. oz/30 ml). When I first started experiencing acne breakouts in my teens, the first thing my dermatologist aunt prescribed me was a BP cream (but lower concentrations are available over the counter, as in the product shown). Benzoyl Peroxide generally works by killing acne bacteria on the skin's surface and speeding up cell turnover; quite a straightforward mechanism. However in my experience, BP never worked very well for my breakouts; it has helped somewhat with small bumps on my forehead, but never with pustules or cystic acne, which is what I primarily suffer with these days. It is also quite irritating and using it every day, or reapplying frequently, as you would a spot treatment, will cause dryness and peeling. Personally, this is my least favorite breakout-banishing active ingredient, but if it works for you, products like Bioelements Breakout Control Emergency Blemish Lotion or Clean & Clear Persa-gel are another option; both are more irritating though than the Coral Actives Acne Serum Gel.

Sulfur: Mario Badescu Drying Cream ($14 for 0.5 oz, deluxe sample pictured here). Sulfur combats acne by sloughing off dead skin cells, and it's also a potent anti-inflammatory. The downside is that it smells (ashtray/rubber tires/eggs/farts are just a few things it's most often compared to), and it is quite drying on the skin. It does work on deep down cystic blemishes over the course of a few days, but always leaves a dry, flaky patch that's quite difficult to conceal. I also like to apply it on a naughtily popped blemish to calm down the inflammation (sorry - gross), but overall haven't reached for it in quite a long time now. Other options: Mario Badescu Drying Lotion or De La Cruz Sulfur Ointment.

Tea Tree Essential Oil: Desert Essence 100% Australian Tea Tree Oil ($11.99 for 1 fl. oz, available in three sizes). Tea Tree Essential Oil is a powerful antiseptic, antiviral and anti-inflammatory ingredient. In a 2012 study by National Health Institutes, 5% of TTEO has been shown to be as effective in treating mild to moderate acne as 5% benzoyl peroxide. It's a matter of discussion whether tea tree eo can be applied neat to the skin or whether it should always be diluted to avoid irritation - I'd recommend doing a patch test and treading with care if you're sensitive. For me personally, pure tea tree essential oil doesn't prove very effective, but I do quite like it as an ingredient in more complex formulations. Other options to try: many other essential oils have antiseptic properties, most notably lavender essential oil - especially nice if you dislike the scent of tea tree.

Natural Base Oils + Essential Oils Blends: Osmia Organics Spot Treatment* ($20 for 0.16 oz, official packaging looks different - my now sadly gone bottle was a press sample). An oil-based spot treatment blends various essential oils with vegetable oils (if you're confused, read my post on oils here) for a natural, gentler acne-fighting alternative; Osmia's version combines lavender, cajeput, lemon, parsley, thyme, cypress and rosemary in a base of evening primrose oil. It works very well on soothing red, angry bumps without drying out the skin, but it's not the fastest solution in the world, and the oily texture works best overnight. Still, I used every last drop of mine and now I'm sorely tempted to try my hand at a DIY oil spot treatment. Other option: Angel Face Botanicals Blemish Soother.

Kaolin/ Bentonite Clay: Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores ($17 for 1.7 fl. oz/ 50ml or $24 for 3.4 fl. oz/100ml). Clay masks are not spot treatments per se, but they do work quite well in soothing the skin and either supressing a newly forming spot, or bringing things to a head. I quite like to use the Origins Clear Improvement as a targeted blemish mask when I'm home alone (it's almost worse to scare your significant other with black blemishes rather than normal red ones), and it does speed up the recovery process when combined with other spot treatments - but again on its own, not the most effective on my skin. Other options: any clay-based face mask really, I also like this Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay.

Salicylic Acid (BHA)/ Also AHAs or LHAs: Aesop Control ($23 for 0.2 fl oz). Salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid, remains possibly the most recommended active ingredient for acne-prone skin. It works by not only sloughing off the top layer of skin, but also getting into the pore and helping to unclog it. Hydroxy acids are the most effective acne-fighting active ingredients for my skin, although finding a non-irritating formulation can be a bit of a struggle. Control by Aesop is my new favorite: a clear geal combining salicylic & lactic acid (AHA) with niacinamide (Vitamin B3) and sodium ascorbyl phosphate (stable, water-soluble form of Vitamin C) in a non-drying aloe vera base, it can be applied under or over make-up. It gently exfoliates the blemish away, soothes inflamed skin and helps with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation marks. I highly recommend trying this if you suffer from hormonal cystic acne. Other, less favored options: La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo, Dermalogica Overnight Clearing Gel.

Do you use spot treatments? Which active ingredients are the most effective on your skin?

Disclaimer: The product marked with asterix (*) is a press sample I received from Osmia Organics for review consideration. I purchased all the other products myself, or received them as a gift with purchase. All opinions are 100% honest and unbiased, no matter if the products featured were purchased with my own monies or provided as a free press sample. Thank you for reading!

My Holy Grail Lip Balms: Osmia Honey-Myrrh Lip Repair & Nuxe Rêve de Miel

In truth, I originally planned this post to be a strict comparison between two fantastic honey lip balms, with one clear winner emerging at the end. But I can't do it, you guys - I just love them both, and nobody wants to be forced to pick their favorite child lip treatment. Still, would you like to hear my thoughts on these bedtime staples and why you need them in your life? Yeah, I thought so.

Osmia Organics Honey-Myrrh Lip Repair* ($22 for 0.28 oz) contains beeswax, cocoa butter, Vitamin E oil, manuka honey, as well as myrrh and bergamot essential oils to heal dry and cracked lips within one to two days. The balm also contains lanolin to help it stay on your lips overnight. Nuxe Rêve de Miel Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm ($19 for 0.52 oz/ 15 g) is a concentrated formula to nourish and repair chapped and dry lips, and contains beeswax, shea butter, sweet almond, rosehip and Vitamin E oils, honey as well as grapefruit and lemon essential oils.

As you can see, both of these lip treatments contain beeswax, Vitamin E oil and honey (which hydrates dry lips beautifully on its own - you need to try it!), plant oils and butters, as well as essential oils; essentialy, the ingredients for both are very similar. Osmia's Lip Repair contains 79% certified organic ingredients, while Nuxe Rêve de Miel contains 80.2% ingredients of natural origin.

In terms of texture, Osmia Honey-Myrrh Lip Repair is more solid (you need to break the hard surface with your fingernail - I actually use my nail to scoop out the right amount of both of these balms) but thinner and more oily once warmed up on the skin. Nuxe Rêve de Miel is softer in the jar, but thicker and more waxy on the lips. Osmia's balm feels very smooth and quite light on the lips and gives a slight sheen, while Nuxe has an almost grainy, heavier consistency and a matte finish. I like the feel of both of them equally for different reasons. Both lip treatments stay on the lips overnight (I can still feel some in the morning), but Nuxe is probably a touch more tenacious - it can even withstand drinking and a small breakfast. The smell of Osmia's Lip Repair is resinous with a touch of citrus, while Nuxe's scent reminds me the most of candied orange peel with a touch of honey.

In terms of effectivess, both Nuxe and Osmia are fantastic at nourishing and hydrating very dry, peeling lips - which I get on a daily basis, so an intense lip balm like these is an absolute must in my night skincare routine, and I always keep one on my bedside table. The similarity of end result is in fact the reason why I can't choose a favorite; while you might nit-pick over packaging, texture, scent, organic versus natural ingredients, in the end those factors are simply a matter of individual preference - but the effectiveness of product is what matters most to all of us.

Lastly, let me touch on the price point and availability of both products. In terms of price per ounce, Osmia's Lip Repair works out to be roughly twice as expensive as Nuxe's already pricey balm. Osmia Organics products are also only available online through their website, while Nuxe products are offered by a number of etailers, as well as in some drugstores (Duane Reade Look Boutiques in New York, for example). Osmia's product are handmade in Colorado with high quality natural and organic ingredients, while Nuxe's are made in France with a touch more lab-derived fillers. So yes, it's cheaper and easier to get the Nuxe Rêve de Miel... but I really like my Osmia (support small businesses!), so I'll probably just end up rotating purchases of both.

Have you tried Osmia Organics Lip Repair or Nuxe Rêve de Miel? Which lip treatment is your Holy Grail?

*Disclaimer: Osmia Honey-Myrrh Lip Repair is a press sample I received directly from the brand for review consideration, and I purchased Nuxe Rêve de Miel lip balm myself. All opinions are 100% honest and unbiased, no matter if the products featured were purchased with my own monies or provided as a free press sample. All links are non-affiliate and simply provided for your convenience. Thank you for reading!

Murad Monday: Eye Cream Overview & Comparison

You haven't seen a Murad Monday here in a while, have you? I kind of abandoned the idea of a Murad brand focus for a bit, but it seems like some of you actually found the last one helpful - and I do still use their products, so it would make sense to talk about something I use in my daily routine for a change, not just the newest, brightest lipstick I whip out once a month (mmkay, who am I kidding here, we all love the lipstick posts... but anyway).

Thanks to some fantastic GWP deluxe samples I received in the past year or so, I've had a fair chance to roadtest a variety of Murad's eye creams. Granted, the line is quite extensive so I haven't tried every single one, but if you're in the market for a new eye treatment and would like a review and comparison of some Murad ones, you're in the right place.

Let's start with my current pick: Murad Renewing Eye Cream ($75 for 0.5 oz), 'a multiactive, antiaging treatment for the eye area that firms, brightens, and hydrates to minimize the appearance of medium to deep wrinkles and crows feet'. It boasts peptides, retinol, phytoestrogens and iris root extract and it's part of Murad's green Resurgence line, aimed at more mature, dry skintypes. The product comes in a sanitary, controllable pump and has no discernible scent. In terms of texture, this is the richest and creamiest of the Murad eye creams I've tried. It does slightly sit on top of the skin when first applied, but sinks in nicely after a couple minutes. While I don't have medium to deep wrinkles (yet) or very dry skin, I find that the Renewing Eye Cream moisturizes my eye area exceptionally well, combats any dehydrated, winter skin woes and slightly plumps up my fine lines. It also wears well under concealer, so in this frigid weather, I opt for it in the mornings too. My only gripe is, well, the price, but I also suspect that it might cause some clogged pores high on my cheeks, more than I usually have - I'm not completely sure though that it's a definite culprit.

I've also been testing out two eye creams from the orange Environmental Shield line: Essential-C Eye Cream SPF 15 PA++ ($69 for 0.5 oz), 'a patented antiaging eye cream featuring UV protection that brightens, renews, and protects the delicate eye area', and the newer release, Instant Radiance Eye Cream ($68 for 0.5 oz), 'a patented, brightening undereye and eyelid treatment clinically proven to minimize the appearance of dark circles and restore smoothness'. The first one is obviously geared to be used as a morning eye cream, and I find it to be creamy, but much lighter in texture than the green Renewing Eye Cream. Unfortunately, I don't find it moisturizing enough for the wintertime, and I question how much a small dab of SPF15 under your eyes is actually going to protect the skin against UV damage. The cream also contains caffeine to help with puffiness but I would say the effect is very slight. I find the Essential-C Eye Cream to be quite average, but perhaps a good recommendation if you're looking for a lightweight, daytime treatment with low SPF protection.

Now, the Instant Radiance Eye Cream is a bit of an oddball: it has a very thick, balmy texture that feels slippery and dry to the touch. It basically resembles a thick make-up primer, and no surprise, it is chock full of silicones. It also boasts a complex stimulating natural collagen production, retinol palmitate and tangerine butter, however a glance at the ingredients list reveals it actually contains shea butter AND tangerine peel oil - I'm quite annoyed at this unfortunate marketing blurb and while citrus essential oils have brightening properties, they can also cause photosensitivity and are potentially irritating, so... I'm not a fan. The Instant Radiance Cream is primarily supposed to minimize dark circles instantly as well as over time but I haven't really observed any such result on my under eyes - although it does help to mattify and smooth out any skin texture you might have, just as a silicone primer would for the rest of your face. It doesn't feel particularly hydrating or moisturizing.

To end this overview on a positive note, here's a quick look at my absolute favorite of the Murad eye creams I've tried: Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture for Eyes ($62 for 0.5 oz), 'an antiaging moisturizer for the delicate eye area clinically proven to relieve dry, dehydrated skin instantly and restore youthful resilience and tone', - not pictured since I've used up my sample a while back, but it comes in a clear plastic jar. The Hydro-Dynamic cream also has the Murad's proprietary collagen-stimulating complex, as well as peptides, Vitamin E and shea butter.  I've found this one to be the most hydrating (versus the most moisturizing ---> that would have to be the green Renewing Eye Cream) Murad eye treatment and possibly one of the most hydrating eye creams I've ever tried. It feels lighter and thinner in consistency and sinks in faster than the other ones, yet manages to lock in moisture for a full day/night. It never irritated my eyes, felt soothing, minimized fine dehydration lines. Overall, the Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture was best suited for my eye area concerns, and the only Murad eye cream I would consider repurchasing despite the higher price tag.

Have you used any of the Murad eye creams? Do you have a favorite eye treatment from the ones you've tried so far? Let me know in the comments!