Occasionally I’m lazy and like the fact that there are facial cleansing pads out there so that I don’t have to full out wash my face on either those really sleepy work nights, or those hung over make-up mornings. Ladies, surely you’ve all had those.
So I’d like to compare two brands out there that both promise to clean deep and kill acne bacteria.
Deep Cleaning OXY pads
Deep Cleaning OXY pads are a brand that I’ve been using for quite a few years after discovering them. There are two types of medicated Oxy pads, but I’m reviewing the 2% w/w salicylic acid ones, and not the 0.5% ones. These OXY pads are round and soft to the touch with little ‘pores’ of sorts on them. They have a bit of an acidic smell, but it’s not too over-powering. Upon use you will feel a tingly sensation all over your face, but not so that it burns. Just be careful using this around your eyes, it’s not for eye-make up removal. These OXY pads work very well, I occasionally use them as an extra cleansing agent after I do wash my face. I rarely ever have skin problems, and I use these regularly.
Clearasil Ultra
The store ran out of 2% OXY pads, so I decided to try something different. Clearasil Ultra Deep Pore Cleansing Pads seemed like a good alternative because they had similar ingredients and were on sale. The Clearasil Ultra pads are round but with a little indent to support a finger digging in to retrieve one. A nice added touch. There is a difference in the ingredients though; Clearasil Ultra has 2% Salicylic Acid and 1.5% Hydrogen Peroxide. Clearasil Ultra Pads have a scent that reminds me of Nailpolish remover which isn’t too pleasant. After its use it feels as though the pads are not soft and are actually scratching your face. I checked the pad again with my fingers only to find that it was still generally soft. What I realized was that it was the stronger chemicals that were working hard at my skin. A little too hard. In fact, my skin was lighter in the areas I’d used it. Who wants to take away their summer’s tan too early? Anyhow, these Clearasil pads really dried up my skin, I gave them a shot for 2 or 3 days, then we went out and bought the Oxy pads. I woudlnt’ even consider myself to have sensitive skin. My husband had the same reactions to them. My skin peeled around my nose.
Needless to say, the OXY pads win this brand war, because they’re just the right strength. Maybe someone with more complicated acne would benefit by Clearasil, but I found it detrimental to my skin. I won’t be buying them again.
I just used a Clearasil ultra pad so that I could properly describe the sensations. I’m regretting it as my skin still feels itself drying up. Off to get some moisturizer.
~Darleya~
