Pimple and Acne Creams that Didn’t Work

Pimple clearing creams, gels and correctors which did not work much for me!

Pimple Creams

Okay I am very keen on sharing this article with you. I will tell you why. The last three days I had a pimple that needed some attention and that’s when I remembered these pimple creams rotting in my cup board. All of them are on its last legs and none work for me. I had bought these hoping that when there is pimple emergency these will help alleviate the symptoms and kill bacteria before they spread. These are definitely not to be used all over ur face as some of them are strong and will cause peeling I feel. Just use them where a pimple may emerge. Apart from that all the tubes are mini(apart from himalaya). Some of them claim to work in three days by the time my pimple would have healed naturally. I only use these duds to stop any infection and I absolutely avoid touching the pimple till then. Read on to save ur money.

Clean and Clear active acne clearing gel:

Clean and Clear active acne clearing gel

  • New upgraded herbal innovative formula
  • Rs 99 for 10 gram
  • What the pack says: enetrates into pores to help prevent acne and visibly reduce acne symptoms.
  • Applications: Help prevent acne and control sebum.
  • Usage: After cleansing face apply gel directly onto spots where u may feel one emerging. No need for further cleansing. Apply both morning and night

What I have to say abt this product: Clean and Clear active acne clearing gel

  • Out of the four this is the only product that I thought worked for me.
  • I like the brand.
  • Transparent gel for spot application.
  • Convenient tube to use directly on spots and not mess with ur fingers in the process introduce more bacteria.
  • Reduces redness and swelling in three applications atleast.
  • Don’t expect pimple to dry up before its usual term.
  • Just expect bacteria to be killed which will reduce swelling.
  • Use it topically on the pimple only as it may have strong alcohol content for killing pimple causing bacteria.
  • I like the claim that it can be applied on spots where u may feel a pimple is emerging so that way we can take some preventive measures.
  • Tube is small but obviously for spot application only.
  • Smells like clean and clear face wash.
  • Did not dry up my skin.

Himalaya Acne and Pimple cream

Himalaya Acne an pimple Cream

  • Price Rs 45 for 20 gram
  • Directions for use: Cleanse or wash face and apply the required quantity of cream over the entire affected area

What I have to say about this product:

  • Again it did not reduce my pimple before three days.
  • I applied it in the hope that it would dry up the spot.
  • Its like a thick cream that dries up after some time on the skin.
  • When you splash it with water, it becomes creamy again.
  • It sticks on so well that it’s annoying to remove.
  • I am still confused about its application but just use it over the affected area and sleep with it on (instead of rubbing it into the skin)
  • Smells very strongly of cold cream.
  • It stays on creamy in color even when it dries up.
  • It absorbs oil from the affected area I feel there by helping prevent acne etc.
  • It is ayurvedic so I don’t have to worry about the chemical content.
  • Only good for stopping you mess with pimple otherwise I did not see any visible results.

Avon Clear Skin Invisible Blemish Corrector:

  • Price Rs 135 for 7ml
  • What the pack says: Cleanse skin thoroughly before applying medication. Cover the entire affected area with a thin layer one to three times daily. becuase excessive drying of the skin may occur, start with one application daily then gradually increase to twoorthree times daily. If bothersome peeling or dryness occurs reduce application to once a day or every other day.

What I have to say about the product:

  • It is not at all invisible and dries up light blue in color.
  • The instructions are scary.
  • Did not do anything for my pimple and the spot healed in its normal three day term.
  • Was just good enough as a concealer to hide the redness.
  • The wand applicator like gloss is convenient to use although touching it on your pimple and then dipping it again into the bottle defeats the whole purpose. This will only spread the bacteria.

Avon clear skin invisible blemish corrector

  • The wand does not reach till the bottom of the bottle where the product is accumulated and thus I am now not able to use the remainder product.
  • I just use it in the hope that it will reduce redness.

Clearasil Ultra Rapid Pimple Clearing Cream

Clearasil ultra rapid pimple clearing cream (gets to work instantly)

  • Price Rs 50 for 10 gram
  • Visibly clearer skin in  just three days.
  • How and when to use? Wash face and apply a thin layer directly on to pimples, avoiding the hairline and eyebrows. Wash hands after use. Use everyday morning and evening for visibly clearer skin in just three days. Use Clearasil daily use skin clearing cream and gel face wash everyday for a complete pimple care regime
  • Key ingredients: salicylic acid. Hydrogen peroxide emollients emulsifiers fragrance water

What I have to say about the product: Clearasil ultra rapid pimple clearing cream

  • It iss not rapid.
  • Pimple will cure on its own in three days. I don’t need their claim of three days.
  • I am confused whether to spot apply or rub it in.
  • Its soft cream in texture.
  • Did not cause peeling.
  • Did not reduce redness.
  • Did not dry up the spot much.
  • I doubt whether it absorbed oil from skin surface.
  • I feel its gentle than the rest of the gels.

All in all I just want to say that in times of pimple emergencies none helped me before three days. Just buy them if you want to avoid messing with pimple and cover it up until it lasts. It may cause peeling too. Buy it if you don’t want the infection to spread. Buy it if u want the cream to absorb oil from the surface. Don’t expect instant results. Leave the pimple, alone and save some money. It will cure on its own in three days before these creams get to work 😉

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54 thoughts on “Pimple and Acne Creams that Didn’t Work

  1. I agree with you Neha. The only cream that has worked for my pimples is Dervia CMS gel. Try it. I’m sure it’ll help.

    1. Hey Abha,
      Do you know what the the acne-fighting ingredient in it is? If you could let me know, that’s be awesome! Then I’ll decide on getting it. 🙂

  2. Nice review Neha. :yes:

    The Clean and Clear range seems to work for me. I used it when I had a lot of problems with breakouts till a year ago, now I don’t have them any more. Now I use Clean and Clear face wash once a day and it seems to keep me breakout-free.

    But I want to share one thing: Losing weight is the reason my acne stopped. If you are overweight, particularly around the abdomen, you are putting pressure on your reproductive organs, which may cause hormonal imbalance and lead to PCOS (Polycystic ovarian syndrome) symptoms, one of which is acne. My gynec told me this 🙂

    Of course, I still do get the occasional breakout at that time of the month 😛

    1. You are absolutely right sunanyana..even i have faced break outs in the past n this wat my dermatologist told me-if you dont use comedogenic cosmetics and your exposure to sun is very less and still you breakout, your hormonal change is to blame..fat belly n hips is a major reason even i feel..well frankly speaking, lacto calamine was my HG pdt during those times, it dries out the pimple/acne really well in my experience

    2. ya sunayana u are right clean and clear is a great product for prevention
      gotta use it religiously i believe :-))
      thanks for the info

  3. Thanks for this post Neha….I don’t hv major pimple or acne prob so hvnt used any of these but atleast I knw now tht its nt worth spending also even if I think abt it in future

  4. One thing that always worked wonders for me in pimple emergencies was the Garnier Pure A..not the pimple solution one but a longer tube which came as an everyday use cream-lotion.Sad Garnier discontinued its most effective product..Clearasil does no good than itching one hell lot and leaving the area dry and often dark..but I have seen that using Himalaya Neem facewash and not touching pimples for 3-4 days can remove pimples without a mark :-))

  5. Never used any of this. That’s a plus point of having a dry skin, you tend to get less pimples. I get teeny weeny pimples once in a while but they disappear themselves. I wanted t purchase himalaya’s cream for once in a while usage but now I know what to skip. Thanks. 🙂

  6. Thanks for the comprehensive post Neha!
    I’ve used all these products, besides the Avon one. The Himalaya thing is sooo weird..you sweat or get a drop of water on you face and it shows up immediately…becomes creamy again! That totally turned me off!

  7. Hey Neha….I thank you every time you do a review coz its for oily skin and what works for you, works for me too :-)). I am so glad I do not have to try the Himalaya, Clearasil, and Avon types. I might consider clean and clear in emergencies. One more thing, Neha, for fast action on pimples and to make them disappear within one day, there is a product called “Garnier Pure Pimple Control”…it works really well and the pimple vanishes, it was for around Rs. 75 when I bought it….but nowadays, I do not require any zit-clearing formulas coz my skin has actually cleared up 🙂 and I do not get any pimples now….must be post-pregnancy hormones. :-))

    1. anything for u! :-))
      me too..i have cleared up(donno how) and just keen to throw these away
      but cant find the pimple pen anymore

  8. I agree with Sunayana….those who have had troublesome acne most of their life…need to be careful and get checked for hormonal imbalance…PCOD 🙁 …losing weight is the solution for everything……. 🙂

  9. I hardly get pimples but when I had to face it, I tried Garnier Pimple Control Pen and it worked for me. It cured my pimples without leaving any marks 🙂

  10. thanks a lot for the review …

    and when it comes to reviews i m the most eager one for urs i sware
    i cant thank u enough for hydro gel by blossom kocchar
    i picked up after ur reviews…. n m loving it … i even changed the name by “neha’s hydro gel ” its just sorted out my problem for oily skin… i bought it without even tester but when i opened it at home i was little bit off by seeing the texture in person .. but when i used it i was sooo amazed thanks again for sharing it with us …
    love reading ur post NEHA …
    and waiting for next …

    1. :laugh: :-*
      what do i say rashmi
      it means a lot
      u made my day!!!!!!
      ya i am so keen on writing more and imbb is a way of life for me now
      all the products that i buy are close to my heart 😛
      even tho i am a compulsive shopper
      thanks again and lots of love :blush:
      have a great day

    2. I have acne problem and it spreads very quickly on my face. Before one acne gets cured another comes out and I have also got black spots on my faces due to acne problem. Can you please suggest which acne cream should I use. Your article is really good. Should I buy Clean n clear acne gel or should I buy hydro gel? And where will I get this hydro gel in Mumbai?? Can you please specify the exact name of gel. Please respond at your earliest. I am really fed up of acne problem.

  11. hey nice post!!! :yes: the imp point for oily skin is that it should be kept clean. for this i try to wash my face more often. these day iam using perobar soap esp recomamded for oily skin by a dermatologist. it price is 70 to 80.
    its a great product & thing every one should give it a try…. 😉

  12. I tried Himalaya one.. total letdown.. still have the tube with one third left over..useless… Though the clean and clear one was a bit more helpful when at the beginning of pimples… But Clean and Clear products work well for me all the time.. For me it is the best antiacne range in India.. 🙂

  13. Great review. Tried them all and hate them all! These people should be banned from the market I tell you. The ONLY thing that works for me is sandalwood paste in rose water – it is a big task but totally worth it. Works fast, is safe and effective

  14. I am afraid I have to disagree with all of you… Himalaya DOES WORK. Only, you’ve to use it for a while… like a month. Please notice that it doesn’t say its spot treatment. I use to apply it and massage it in after bath consistently every day for a month. I have gone to almost pimple-less skin from huge zits and boils. I’d go with Himalaya anytime, anywhere. As you mentioned before… they’re natural ingredients and takes time to work.

  15. I’ve tried the Clean and Clear and Clearasil spot gels. Clean and Clear worked well. The Clearsil Ultra, despite it’s terrifying ‘precautions’, does stuff all. I use Endocil spot gel from the Attitude range and I recommend it. Added bonus, it’s cost effective. (And it has really fun, humourous packaging).

  16. totally love clean and clear gel for years and recently tried himalaya and it worked really well for me.. works in one day…

  17. Completely agree with you. I also tried the vlcc pimple pen for my breakouts but it only worsened the problem as it increased the redness and made my skin patchy. But then applying honey helped reducing the irritation. Then I tried this product “Biotique botanicals winter green acne correction cream and it did work. I finally found something that suits my skin type. But it’s a really slow process. That’s the sad part. For overnight relief from pimples toothpaste works best. 🙂

  18. M currently experiencing pimples problem on my face and started using Himalaya for like 5 days and 3in1 garnier pure but even now i still have gigantic pimples popping out. after reading this post now m so stressed guys. please help me out on what i can use to clear my skin. Thanks

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