Okay, so it became very clear to me this week that I need to find a company who has no ties, whatsoever, to any form of facial cleanser. Why you ask? Well between the two different cleansers that I had on the go, plus the skin cream and toner I am testing out I found myself faced with my next challange: Clean and Clear Advantage Blackhead Eraser. Problem was my skin was so damn clean I wasn't sure if there was going to be any blackheads to erase.
Yes, I pondered dirtying up myself for a few days, letting myself get good and gross, and then going in for the kill, but I didn't think my boss at my retail job, where I am face-to-face with people all day, would appreciate my disgustingly oily mug coming anywhere within 50-feet of her customers.
And so I decided one fateful night, that it was now or never, clean or...well, cleaner.
Popping open the package I take a quick glance over the instructions, which seem simple and straightforward enough, pop the batteries in the little plastic eraser thingy, and give the bottom a little twist to switch it on. Whoa. To say this little guy packs quite a vibrating punch is quite an understatement. Immediately I am already unsure about how I am going to feel about this sucker being on some of the most sensitive skin on my face. Before even adding a scrubbing pad I test its strength against the skin of my arm, the nape of my neck, and finally my face. All the most sensitive places that should be considered in a case like this. Hmmmm. Thinking about whether I want to go through with this. Thinking, thinking. Suddenly I realize that I am grunting and moaning (in deliberation) while standing alone in my family bathroom while a dull humming sound makes its way through the door...and my visiting elderly Grandmother is standing on the other side waiting to pee. Awesome. Red faced, I shut off the device, let out a giggle (because that doesn't make it any more awkward, I swear) and make a quick escape to my own bathroom.
Laughing at my own misfortune and deciding that this would make too good of a blog post to pass up I take out one of the textured pads and attach it firmly to the velcro top on the eraser. Wetting my face and then gently wetting the pad I get started on the areas where I have had trouble with blackheads before: the area around my nose and my chin. Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, it begins again. Moving in upward motions like directed, it takes me about 30 seconds before I realize that my greediness to have a good blog post is definitely not worth sacrificing my skin for. But, never one to give up with out a fight, I persevere.
The main problem? The burning sensation that I believe to be a result of the textured pad scaling along sensitive skin (especially that tricky area right beside your nose). However, as the cleanser (a "specially formulated blackhead fighting serum") starts to lather and foam a bit more I find the burning lessening, although not completely. Since I was instructed to use it all over my face as well as in my blackhead prone areas I slowly start to move the eraser to the other parts of my face (mostly to distract from the still tingly sensation I was experiencing). Admittedly the less sensitive areas were more resistant to the product and I did feel like I was getting the exfoliating end of the bargain, like promised. One minute plus and my time was up, cool water splashed on face in relief, I patted down with a towel and prepared myself to inspect.
There was a little redness, yes, but that was to be expected. My skin felt noticeably softer and smoother, but what about those pesky little blackheads. Did it live up to expectations? Well let me tell you. For someone who thought they didn't even have blackheads the evidence on that little pad told me otherwise. The shocking layer of dirt kept me mesmerized for a good five minutes before I busted out the magnifying mirror and decided it was time to look a little deeper into my skin. Oh yes, there they are. Blackheads. Apparently I do have them....and still have them. How was that even possible after that much dirt was just sucked from my skin?
Oh yes, this challenge was on. Two days later I went for it again. More burning, more tingling...less blackheads. Day five: less burning, less tingling...less blackheads. The tingling and the burning never completely went away but by day ten my skin was noticeably less riddled with dingy pores and my skin was soft, soft, soft. Who would have thought from that first experience to this. I was admittedly pleasantly surprised with the results. And I guess what they say is true....no pain, no gain!
Clean and Clear Advantage Blackhead Eraser is available now from all major pharmacies and department stores nationwide. Visit the Johnson & Johnson Canada website for information on this product and more!
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