At $84 it isn’t exactly budget friendly, but MD Skincare’s All-Over Blemish Solution got me saying “Awwwwww yeeeeeah!”
Women have been going crazy over beta hydroxy (aka salicyclic) acids lately, and after a month of using MD Skincare’s product I’m ready to climb aboard the bandwagon. Scoot over, ladies! Make room! There’s really no comparison between my old standby benzoyl peroxide creams and All-Over Blemish Solution in terms of their ability to treat pimples. I saw a dramatic difference in my skin within days.Â
Even the cosmetics industry itself is going ga-ga over this stuff. Each year, members of CEW (Cosmetic Executive Women, Inc.) recognize the most innovative beauty products of the year as voted on by CEW members, industry professionals and beauty experts. The award is considered one of the beauty industry’s highest honors. All-Over Blemish Solution won the award in 2007.
Shoot, I’d give this bad boy an award if I could … the Makeup and Beauty Blog Zit Destroyer Award. First off, the most welcome thing I noticed after using All-Over Blemish Solution was in how my skin felt. Benzoyl peroxide products have a tendency (at least on me) to tighten and dry sensitive skin, making it peel and itch. Not so with this stuff. All-Over Blemish is considerably less drying than any benzoyl peroxide I’ve ever used, even Proactiv. With All-Over Blemish Solution I noticed that my forehead and cheeks — my worst breakout zones — stayed almost zit-free and considerably smoother than they are when I’m using benzoyl peroxide.Â
Beyond the startling $84 price tag, there’s another price to pay if you intend to try this product — beta hydroxy acids increase skin’s sensitivity to sunlight. Be extra mindful to wear sunscreen on your face because most experts cite the beta-hydroxy acid-sun sensitivity issue as the most common side effect. My favorite facial sunscreen is Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Face Cream SPF 55.
A combination of farnesol (a plant-based antiseptic), bisabol (active ingredient in chamomile) and 2% salicylic acid make All-Over Blemish Solution into the acne-fighting machine it is. The salicylic acid in the product exfoliates, penetrating deep into pores, sloughing off the dead skin cells to make room for new ones. The farnesol reduces the growth of acne-causing bacteria, and the bisabol in the product work to soothe inflammation and reduce redness.Â
Product: MD Skincare All-Over Blemish Solution Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Gel
Price: $84 (holy crap!)
Use: To treat and prevent acne
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A
I should also mention a few of the noteworthy inactive ingredients in All-Over Blemish Solution: silicone, cyclopentasiloxane and dimethicone. They give the product its smooth, silky texture. Some silicone-containing products can break me out, but before jumping in with both feet I did a spot test with All-Over Blemish Solution, first dabbing a small amount of the product on a little area by my left ear for a few days, with the reason being that if it caused my skin to freak out, I could just cover it up with my hair.Â
Three days later, the test patch looked and felt fine. The first time I covered my entire face with the solution I felt a subtle warming sensation on my fingertips and face. It was unexpected and weird but kinda nice.
I’ve been using the solution at night before bed and in the morning before applying makeup. As good as it works, during a rough patch around the middle of last month, when I was sleep deprived and stressed out at work, my forehead erupted into a zillion tiny zits. All-Over Blemish Solution wasn’t up to the task that time, but I don’t know if anything else would have been either. I don’t think I’m ready to entirely abandon benzoyl peroxide, but I don’t expect to use it as regularly as I used to.
For whatever it’s worth, I found that I only have to use a tiny, pea-sized amount to cover my entire face. I figure the 1.7 oz tube should last between 6-8 months. All-Over Blemish Solution is the first MD Skincare brand product I’ve ever used, and it really impressed me. It’s pricey … but it works.
Hit up your nearest Sephora (aka the Den o’ Makeup Crack!) to purchase MD Skincare All-Over Blemish Solution, or buy it online.
We’re in the midst of another beautiful and sunny day here in the Bay Area. I just finished one of the better runs I’ve had in a long time and am now sitting at my computer desk, basking in a state of 1) incredible stinkiness and 2) post-run euphoria.Â
I’m ready to just chill for a couple hours… Anybody got a pool? Where’s the party at? I’ll bring the iced tea! 😉
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
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That stuff sounds great! I’ve recently been on a skincare kick lately and have been doing a lot of research. I settled on a Neutrogena AHA/BHA scrub (because it was the same formula as a Murad scrub, but it was $8 instead of $50) and it seems to be working nice. I don’t have a lot of zits, I have more blackheads, and I am doing everything to eliminate them completely.
I don’t usually use benzoyl peroxide, because I have has so much of my stuff/towels bleached, and never really saw a difference.
I’m glad this stuff works for you though!! I have been a little scared of that brand since I got a sample of their fruit acid peel from Sephora, and it burned a little.
Mariah’s last blog post..😀
That’s a lot of cash!
I’ve been battling acne off and on since Grace was born 2 years ago. My skin just went nutso and hasn’t gone back to the clear complexion I once had and loved. I’ve spent some major uber dollars on skincare since then and have recently fallen in love with the Paula’s Choice line. It’s inexpensive in comparison to many other Sephora/Ulta/Department Store brands and it’s been working pretty well.
I wish I could tally up all the money I’ve spent over the last couple of years looking for my holy grail skincare line. Just think… I could have spent that on makeup! 🙂
Hey Mariah,
Oh no! I’ve had a few incidents with products where things stung and burned unexpectedly too and that is never pleasant. I hope your skin wasn’t too harmed.
Yah, I hear ya on BP bleaching everything around a two mile radius, ugh. Towels, pillow covers, El Hub’s favorite t-shirt (oh nooo!)… I am glad to not have to worry about it so much now.
I’ve read that the best way to get your BHA on is to use a product that penetrates the skin, like a toner, gel or cream rather than a cleanser, which immediately gets washed off. Are you supplementing your routine with any other BHA else besides the scrub?
Hi Tuprnut,
I am so glad that you found something that works for you and that’s affordable! Yay! Adult acne can be really traumatic, especially when you’re so used to having clear skin. I had a hard time dealing when mine hit me at 26, and like you, spent so much money on so many different treatments. I can’t even begin to think of how much I threw away on stuff that didn’t work, oy.
What products do you use from the line? I’ve been thinking about trying and would love your suggestions!
84 bucks for a tube of zit cream, that’s mayjah money! My face looks really bang up lately and I’m waiting for my shipment from Avon to come. Lots of people are saying that their stuff work better than Proactive. If it doesn’t work for me, ie dries up my face, I’ll pass it on to my brother who’s a teenager with tiny zits. He’s a lucky boy with not-so-visible zit problems. When I was his age, my face was really really bad.
I also order another thing for zit that’s like Rare Minerals from BE, just in case the Avon stuff don’t work 🙂 Btw, Boca is no where near my place but I’ve heard it’s nice too, lots of new developments down there.
Oh my gosh Karen, that is EXPENSIVE! I recently started trying a new BHA after looking into the ingridients and OMG, you friggen have to try it (I sound like a commercial hehe) Its the Neutrogena 3-1 stress control something or other. It’s 2% salicylic acid and the ph lets there be exfoliation which I’m suuuuper anal about because if its too high of a ph then the BHA doesn’t even work properly, what a rip! Anyway I used it once, ONE night and I could totally see a difference. The pores on my nose were smaller, and some skin uneveness was sooo much better by the end of the week. That stuff is amazing, I hope you get a chance to try it, I think you’ll love it. Plus the very light cucumber water type scent is a nice touch.
Here are the Paula’s Choice products I use:
1% Beta Hydroxy Lotion – I use it about 2x a week or more frequently during my time of month.
Blemish Fighting Solution – I use this as spot treatment mostly, but sometimes all over problem areas if I feel a flare up coming on. This tube will last be forever – it’s huge!
HydraLight Moisture-Infusing Lotion – this is my 2nd bottle! It’s extremely light weight but still helps with my dry areas. I’ve been on the search for an everday lotion for sometime, and this is my favorite so far.
Hydrating Treatment Cream – I use this at night, usually, but sometimes during the day if I’m a little bit dry.
Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum – This goes on my never-ending dry patch on my chin (oy). It makes my skin feel super smooth. It takes a little while to soak in, so if I do wear it under make-up, I give it some time.
Skin Recovery Hydrating Treatment Mask – I almost forgot I had this! I need to break it free from the back of the medicine cabinet. I’ve only used it twice, and usually don’t give myself enough time at night to use it. I like it, I don’t love it. But it’s 4oz. for $12.95 which I think is a really good deal.
Sorry so long… just wanted to tell you what I thought. If anything, the website allows you to order samples…. I’ve ordered foundation samples and I found that sample size to be generous and a great way to try things out.
I hope this helps!
Thanks Turnip for the information. I started oil cleansing method last night as a desperate attempt to sooth my face. So far so good, it’s very soothing for my inflamed skin.
Hi Dao,
I hope the avon stuff works for you! I do the same thing with my hair and skin stuff, LOL… I pass it on to my lil’ bro (who is actually not so little any more, he’s 26). He’s one of those dudes that won’t ever buy moisturizer but if you give it to him he’ll use it, ya know?
Awww, too bad Boca is far from you! But hey, Florida is a big state…
Hi Breezy,
I like Neutrogena face products — it’s been a while since I’ve used ’em because the last thing I tried (pore refining cleaner, I think) tore my skin up and left me so dry! Ever since then I’ve been gun shy. When I go to the drugstore this week I will cruise the Neutrogena section. Is it a cream or a toner?
Hi Tuprnut,
Wow! This helps out a ton, thanks. I think I will try the 1% BHA and the treatment cream… I love sites that offer samples so yay! If I get around to it today I’m gonna order some!
OMG, your brother is the same age as I am. Can I be your lil’ sis too? 😀 I guess guys are like that, some of my male cousins used to steal my moisturizers, face cleansers, and hair products. My tactic was leaving my unwanted items out and see them disappear hehe. It worked!
Its a gel type of lotion. It comes in a box but theres a tube in the box, go figure. Yeah this one wasn’t drying at all – no alcohol yay. I’m currently making my sister and my brother in law slather that on, because I want to see if it works on their complexions too hehe.
Hi Dao,
Aww, of course! I always wanted a little sister! 🙂
That’s a great tactic, BTW. I did something similar with my Bumble & Bumble shampoo… El Hub kept using it (dang that stuff ain’t cheap, either) so I just swapped a bottle of Pantene in it’s place one day and he barely even noticed.
Hi Breezy,
Wow, it must be great if you’re already recommending it to your relatives. I will have to get my hands on it ASAP (plus, it sounds like it smells really good… I love cucumber scents!).
Hope you’re having a good week so far. How’s school?
I wish they sold it here in the philippines!
Hi Bea,
That’s too bad you can’t get a hold of it. I’m sure though, if you do enough searching you can find a comparable BHA product that is readily available.