Review: Neutrogena Rapid Clear Acne Defense Face Lotion

Product description:
This is a 2% salicylic acid acne treatment. This is an oil-free lotion which is said to reduce breakouts in 8 hours. It claims that it is clinically proven to reduce full face acne severity, pimple size, pimple swelling and pimple redness, all in 8 hours.

My review:
Salicylic acid is personally my favourite when it comes to treating and preventing acne. It works by promoting skin cells to slough off, preventing dead skin cells to clog up pores. It also helps to get rid of dirt deep in the pores, and this is especially helpful for people with a problem with blackheads. Salicylic acid, together with an alpha-hydroxy acid such as lactic acid, is the best combination for me to keep my skin as clear as it can be (which will never be 100% clear due to bad genes). Having said that, salicylic acid needs time to work. This product definitely didn't work within 8 hours as claimed. This could be because my skin has been subjected to salicylic acid treatment for years already. First time users of salicylic products could find this more effective. Honestly, this product did not even do anything that it claimed to do. I bought this product just as my skin was breaking out quite badly because I travelled to a country with water that my skin was probably sensitive to. My prescription acne medication, Differin, probably did most of the work when it comes to treating the breakout. Throughout that time, I was using this Rapid Clear lotion religiously every morning, as I was using Differin at night. As my acne disappeared, I stopped using Differin and I switched to using Rapid Clear both day and night. Now, I only have the occasional and regularly occurring one or two cystic pimple. Hence, I feel that the Rapid Clear lotion did helped in the prevention of acne. However, my favourite acne prevention treatment is still La-Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo, which combines both AHA and BHA (like salicylic acid).

Now on to the product itself. The texture is light and spreads easily, but it doesn't absorb easily on my skin. The fragrance is distinct. People sensitive to perfume might find it irritating. It is not very hydrating and I find myself reaching for my La-Roche-Posay Toleriane Fluide for the drier areas on my skin. It is also not very compatible with certain sunscreens, like my The Face Shop Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++. It tends to rub off  whenever I use this sunscreen over it. It is however compatible with Avene Very High Protection Emulsion SPF 50, if you happen to own that.

Overall:
Not my favourite acne product, but I can definitely live with it.