Stayclear......... sometimes! (Clearasil Stayclear Deep Cleansing Toner Sensitive)

Member Name: kaitlinsmummy

Product:	Clearasil Stayclear Deep Cleansing Toner Sensitive
Date:	09/09/08 (276 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Leaves my skin brighter.

Disadvantages: Can be a bit drying.

I have always suffered with spots, not acne you understand, but still spotty enough to give me complex.

Now I am in my thirties I feel that maybe I should get a reprieve from the "teenage skin" syndrome, so decided I would make a real effort and try some new products to see if there was any out there that would actually make a difference.
That is how I came across this range!

I have never used a toner in my life and after reading a review on this site on how another member had said the same the same thing, was shocked at the response of the original writer, with her saying that she has never NOT used a toner, I thought that maybe that was were my problem lay.

The product I will now review is "Clearasil stay clear, deep cleansing toner"

I have previously stated that I do not like Clearasil products, stating they were too harsh on my skin, but after using the face scrub from the same range, and finding it to be actually quite good, thought there was no harm in trying this.

The bottle is quite modern in shape and design, the bottle is tall and is graduating, getting narrower towards the top and is clear in colour. The lid is again modern, sloping gently down to one side and is the Clearasil "blue" in colour.
On the label (that runs the entire length of the bottle), is the Clearasil brand logo, with the name under that and a small green rectangle with the words sensitive written within. There is also a small picture of a feather next to it, well it is sensitive you know!
Finally there is the statement that this product is a - Fragrance free formula to help clear and prevent breakouts without overdrying.

Ok, I don't have a particularly good track record with Clearasil products, when I first used them in my teens they seemed really harsh and seemed to not only strip the oil and grease from the skin, but on more than one occasion the skin as well!
On one particular occasion (I am ashamed to admit), I actually cleansed my face with nail varnish remover due to the similarity of the bottles! The fact I was very hung-over and late for work didn't help of course. The fact that the nail varnish remover was nowhere near as harsh was probably the indicator I needed, so I suspended use indefinitely!

That was of course then and this is now. The products now marketed are usually recommended for sensitive skin, so I decided I would give it a go.

Upon flipping back the lid I noticed a small hole that would dispense the clear toner, so that's what I did. I poured a small amount onto a cotton wool pad.
The first thing I noticed was the lack of fragrance, this is reassuring, surely this means one less chemical in the product?
There is though a distinctive smell of an alcohol substance, but this is in no way unpleasant.
I gently wipe the moistened pad over my face, as I am instructed to by the bottle, the instructions on the label not the bottle, there's not that much alcohol in it!

My skin is slightly fresher and visibly cleaner, but not tingling which is a good sign. There is no redness or any sort of reaction that would indicate my skin becoming sore.
I looked at the cotton pad and saw a rather disturbing amount of muck, extracted from my many open, but hopefully now closed pores!

You should keep repeating the process, with a fresh pad each time, until the cotton pad you are using is completely clean, I find you will have to repeat the process quite a few times, so I tend to use a face scrub in the shower first, then finish the process off with the toner . This in turn removes the final traces of muck from my face, then closes the open pores, hopefully stopping any more muck getting into the pores.

You will find it will take a minute or two for the solution to dry on your skin, this must not be rinsed of as the solution as an anti - bacterial element to it, so leaving it on cleanses your face further.

I usually finish off with the face cream in this range (review coming), to complement the toner.

Is my skin any clearer.... Yes and no. The toner has certainly improved the condition of my skin, even giving me the so called "glow" that keeps being mentioned. Am I spot free.... Depends when you ask me! I have always suffered with "hormonal" spots, (sorry boys!), this means a few days before my period and a few days after I seem to have quite a few spots breakout, I have come to the conclusion that it matters not what I use on my skin, at these times my skin is always going to look that way!

My skin is a little smoother and my pores, especially the ones on my nose, and trust me they were not pleasant, are much smaller and less noticeable.

I even think my T- zone, (nose, forehead and chin), is much less greasy, with my make-up staying on much better, and it being much longer before I get the shine!

The only downside to this product is the drying effect on the skin. I know at the beginning of this review I said how this product stated it wouldn't overdry, this just is simply not true.
I have always used Nivea cream, after whatever skincare routine I have followed, I suspended it temporally when I started this regime, I do find I have to use my trusted former face cream, as even though I do think this product has worked in the positive, my skin does feel quite dry and tight afterwards.
Once I have moisturised my skin feels fine, and my skin looks healthy and elastic again.

I actually purchased this from Boots, which is rather unusual for me. I have been on a bit of a cut down, spending wise, so decided to finally use the points on my Boots card.
I was surprised and delighted to find I had £7.00 on there, so thought I would buy myself something rather than spend it on the kids, like I usually do!

I came across this and the product I will later review on offer, 2 for £5.00, which when I clocked the single unit price (£3.00), was well worth it.

These can probably be purchased for a much cheaper price, and I have seen some of the "stay clear" brand available at my local Asda store.

Would I recommend this product.... Definitely! As I mentioned earlier I have struggle for years with my skin, so to find a product that works at my age is a joy and a revelation to me.
The only upside of having greasy skin though is the fact that my skin will not wrinkle as quickly as
those with clear or dry skin, so there are some benefits to spots.... Not many though!

For more information visit - www.clearasil.co.uk

Thanks for reading x

Summary: Has inproved my skin quality, but doesn't completely clear my spots.