VMV Hypoallergenics Red Better Flare-Up Balm

Introducing VMV's answer to crimson flare-ups, something like Avene's Skin Recovery Cream, the Red Better Flare-Up Balm. 

The Red Better line is specifically addressed to those with rosacea or hypersensitivity, but this salve can also be used as a quick fix for sudden redness. 

The product is clear and a bit gooey; a little goes a long way. It doesn't really substitute one's moisturizer, but acts more as a treatment. The ointment is quite tenacious, leaving a film on the skin until morning. 

This contains a milder form of azaleic acid, which is used to treat/calm rosacea. I find it does help with reducing and calming redness somewhat. 

Overall, ok to have on hand for skin emergencies, but for persisting, acute redness, I'd still recommend a dermatologist.

Aknicare Lotion

At the doctor's clinic one day, I found myself sitting in front of my dermatologist and she saw a mass of breakouts on my chin. She just came back from Spain and would have me try a new product -- Aknicare Lotion.

The font looks like Greek hieroglyphics to me -- clinical with a twist. May I say, it is a Greek brand, although this pimple killer is made in Italy. 

It comes in a 25ml glass bottle. I haven't encountered this type of liquid pimple medication before, except maybe clindamycin, but that is another genre.

It comes with a plastic stopper to keep the liquid from spilling. The product can be used by replacing the stopper with the porous net it comes with.

Using the net/mesh, apply directly to breakouts or pimply areas. 

Beware, this yellowish concoction smells strongly of alcohol. In fact, a huge part of it is made of that. Do note the flammable diagram. 

Overall, this requires continuous use for effective results. I agree that it works primarily for large areas of breakouts, rather than the occasional spot (for that, Klenzit is still my bet). With about a week of nightly application, it can decrease those big pimples that are hiding under the skin waiting to surface (you can feel it) and remove them thoroughly. The solution does burn my skin a little, leaving red patches, but they are nothing that a few days of healing can't take care of. This unique lotion is quite effective and I would recommend it for people who would like a quick and sure fix for those monster pimples that sometimes decide to pop out of a large surface area.

Introduction to Aknicare. 

More info and ingredients. 

The brochure provides a comprehensive explanation on the brand's product's contents. It seems to be geared toward medical practitioners in particular. 

Ingredients list. 

Last hurrah. 

Klenzit MS Microsphere Gel

I am of the spotted-kind. I get them every few weeks or so; they never stay away. They don't care that they're not welcome -- they just have to visit me at the very least once a month without fail. You can pretty much change anything now these days except genetics and skin. Well, you can change skin I guess, but I'm not into devouring potions or wielding knives. So I pestered the dermatologist for a good pimple murderer.

She paused for a while before muttering "Klenzit," as she scribbled out her prescription. 

It comes in a plain white soft plastic tube with a screw cap cover.

I have to be careful squeezing out the product for the opening is really huge. The gel is translucent in color. This drug is very potent; a little goes a long way. Although it has a tendency to dry out the areas applied on, it is simply the best pimple medication I have ever used, and that is a real compliment, because I've tried my fair share of acne busters from Differin, metronidazole, benzoyl peroxide, tea tree oil, etc. All those took weeks to zap breakouts, but Klenzit? Klenzit took under 2 hours for tiny ones, I swear. I don't even want to risk it losing efficacy by disclosing the great news, but it's really that good (knock on wood three times). Spots are visibly smaller in size after a few hours. Give a huge pimple one or two nights of consecutive application and it will say good-bye with a bang. You can see that it's really gone. As is always the case with unwelcome visitors, good riddance!

Above is an introduction to the product, which is made by an Indian pharmaceutical company. It is stated that adapalene, the drug of choice for this medicine is "delivered to the skin in a controlled time-release pattern after it has been applied." Differin, which I've used before, also goes by the generic name of adapalene, but I did not experience as spectacular results with it as I did with Klenzit, and I suspect it has a lot to do with the different technology applied on these two medicines, despite using a similar main ingredient.

The microsponge delivery system (read still shot above for more in-depth explanation) allows skin to absorb small amount of the drug over a period of time, which reduces or eliminates skin irritations. I didn't experience any significant skin reactions from Klenzit, aside from minor itchiness right after application that goes away in a few minutes. Dry spots are felt over medicated areas, but this is a minor price to pay and nothing that a good moisturizer can't address.

Klenzit has done for me what other pimple medications have never accomplished -- eliminate spots and acne, fast. I definitely recommend this to one and all.

Skinoren Gel (Azelaic Acid)

Azelaic acid has a number of functions cosmetically, most commonly as treatment for acne and rosacea. It is also used to counter pigmentation, and sometimes as hair loss treatment. Different pharmaceutical companies produce azelaic acid in various name brands. This review focuses on Intendis' Skinoren, a 15% gel azelaic acid formulation.

This was prescribed by my dermatologist after I finished with Robaz, which was a stronger medicine for rosacea. Skinoren is supposed to be a maintenance treatment to curb rosacea, because of its ability to reduce inflammation.

It comes in an aluminum tube, typical of Rx products.

The gel is white and has a light cream texture. It requires some rubbing onto the skin surface for it to sink in.

I personally experienced a lot less breakouts since using this product. While this does not take the place of a moisturizer, it functions like a preventive product to keep spots and pimples at bay. I am not sure about it reducing rosacea symptoms, as I still suffer from flushing/redness.

Overall, this is a gem of a product. I consider it a staple in my skincare drawer as it keeps prone-to-breakout skin pimple-free and happy.

Nexcare Acne Dressing

While there is nothing enticing about the word "acne," when combined with "dressing" the word seems so much more tolerable. Together, the product name Nexcare Acne Dressing sounds a little bit delicious (the swine within) and promising enough for me to grab one.

The packaging features two smiling humans and a furious pimple. I suppose the pimple is upset because it is supposed to be killed off. 

The product is made by the famous Scotch tape and Post-It company, 3M. The patches come in a sterile paper pack which looks medicinal and very safe.

They come in two sizes -- 0.8 cm and 1.2 cm at 12 and 6 pieces, respectively. They are very easy to attach on pimple areas. I must say I prefer the bigger size at 1.2 cm because it covers a good part of breakouts. However, the smaller size is also useful for tiny pimples. The adhesives are not too sticky and do not tug on the skin at all. Actually, they need to be patted on for better adherence. In the morning, I would find most of them have traveled away from my face on to who-knows-where. They sometimes completely disappear only for me to spot them on my hair!

Below are the instructions.

The patches weren't able to get rid of my pimples in one night. So, if you are looking for an intensive pimple zapper, this product isn't it. In fact, I found the patches too mild because they didn't do much to get rid of my acne. It took about 3 consecutive nights of application for me to see some improvement, but even for that time the pimples weren't completely gone. I found myself going through the patches quite quickly, and considering the cost of this (around HK$30), it's quite steep for something that requires constant use to see some results.

In a nutshell, this didn't work out for me. Those with mild pimples may want to try this out though.