When I was a kid at school in my teens, looking back I realise how the cosmetic industry etc has changed. The makers of this product I'm about to review has been around about 18 years and I know this cos all the kids at school used it and I don't remember any other options being around at the time. Myself, although I suffered from spots and blackheads badly back then I don't remember my Mother getting it more than once for me so I reckon it was just that I wasn't that impressed.

The problem with Clearasil is and always has been the packaging which is directed at men and women. My eyes will always be drawn to whats looks great in my bathroom even if I know a product is fabulous and works it makes little difference lol

The Packaging....

My Clearasil 100ml tube is the same as the one in the photograph at the top of this review. I'm clearly told what it is and who it is by. On the back I'm told how it works, the ingredients and contact numbers for Boots Healthcare who hold the license for this product.

How It Works....

Clearasil Black Head Scrub penetrates deep into pores to clean away dirt, oil and spot-causing bacteria and even works after rinsing to help prevent new blackheads and spots.

The scrub contains exfoliating microbeads to gently scrub away dead skin and blackheads leaving your skin feeling amazingly smooth, clean and clear.

Clinical tests proves it delivers outstanding pimple protection by simply replacing ordinary washing. Its that simple. Clearasil has a deep cleansing microbead formula which unclogs pores, allowing special skin active ingredients to clean away oil, dirt and impurities.

Directions For Use....

Use twice a day. Apply a small amount to face and neck, massage gently, and rinse with water.

Why I Purchased It....

Well at 33 I suffer the occasional huge volcanic spot particularly at the shall we call it more delicate time of the month? lol It's bad enough feeling crabby without looking it as well and unfortunately my skin takes a turn for the worse. Also I have really large open pores on my cheeks which if I sit squeezing them I get a clear discharge from them. I've never understood that. I suffer with blackheads on my chin I just cant get rid for want of trying and have a lot of blackheads on my forehead which nestle away along with frown lines. All in all, well it was only a matter of time before I went back to Clearasil. So at the time of buying this product I also purchased the astringent cleanser as I was waging a war on bacteria and gunk....

Verdict....

Well I've been using mine once a day for 3 months. It comes out the tub as a thick white cream. You cant see the 'microbeads'. It has a very slight menthol smell to it but its not overpowering or offensive in the slightest. You only need a really small 'blob' about the size of a 5p, hence why I've been using the same tube for months and still have over 50 per cent of the product left. It goes on like a very slightly greasy soap. It spreads easily over a wet face (as I choose to use it) and washes off easily. I find with a lot of menthol face washes that it either makes my eyes weep badly or skin cold and tingle to much. This doesn't. Also it doesn't feel abrasive at all and with other products that offer similar to this I find they can scrape my skin. This really is just a thickish liquid with no harsh bits in it.

The Results....

I'm very very impressed. As anyone who reads my reviews knows by now I spend so much money on toiletries and things of that ilk and only buy them as treats really. This was bought purely on a practical level to help combat something I 'was' really worried about. I use the word was as past tense!

After using this product skin is softer, no traces of grease and pores look visibly reduced and skin looks very refreshed and hydrated indeed. Although a product to help with grease it doesn't dry my skin out. Over time my blackheads have also visibly reduced. I would say since using this I have lost about 70 percent of blackheads but the most noticeable thing is in 3 months I haven't had any new black heads arrive and take residence. I have had a couple of mini spots but nothing on the scale I did have before using this product. My skin is more glowing than ever before. Also this product is great if you have any ingrowing hairs around the facial area as it gently buffs the pores.

I suffer with an oily T Zone so if I'm going out somewhere and want to apply make up I wash my face first and I find it fends off the oil for longer than not using it at all.

I can't really explain how its made me feel to find this excellent product. I cant excel its virtues enough. I didn't think I would get so much benefit out of a product that looks so boring in its tube, is relatively cheap and lasts for ages. I personally couldn't live without it now and will repurchase it. Its the dogs danglies and a quiet battler which has made me feel so much better about myself I cant tell you!

If you do suffer with blackheads and spots I really do say give this a go and great if you just want a deep, gentle clean!

£4.99 Boots.

This review is also posted on Ciao under this same username.