I first saw this type of treatment several years ago on a late night infomercial. The product was a mechanical device that used ions or diodes or gamma rays or some other science sounding thing to zap away pimples. It seems like a cool deal, and there is nothing I like more than a company that gives me something different to look at. Zeno doesn’t make any claims about harnessing cosmic rays to magically zap away pimples; instead they opt for good ol’ fashioned heat. Zeno Hot Spot is a hand-held mechanical device that uses heat to zap away pimples.

How It Works

Zeno Hot Spot has a built-in computer that controls the treatment tip. The treatment tip delivers a specified level of heat that Zeno claims kills the bacteria that causes acne. That sounds a little dangerous but the company assures us the tip gets hot enough to get the job done, but not uncomfortable to the touch because it adjusts to your skin’s temperature to deliver just the right amount of heat. They say most blemishes need two to three 2 ½ minute treatments to be completely eliminated but, in some cases, just one treatment can be enough to stop the blemish.

Upside

You should probably wash you face everyday, eat right and keep stress low no matter if you suffer from acne or not but it would be nice not to have to fight with a whole system of pills and creams and scrubs. You can carry the Zeno Hot Spot around with you wherever you go and there is no mess, no hassle and smelling like a distillery.

Downside

Ok I have to say it … heat, seriously? I know heat kills bacteria but it doesn’t sound like a good idea to stick a hot piece of metal to an already sensitive area on my face. The device does regulate the heat relative to body temperature so it’s not that I’m worried about safety I’m just skeptical about how effective this would really be in the long term. If the heat isn’t uncomfortable is it really doing the job? The biggest thing to worry about here is the fact that is doesn’t do anything to prevent breakouts. You still have to use all the scrubs and medications to keep your skin clear in the first place or you are going to be zapping all day.

Final Word

The idea of this product sounds pretty great. I know blemishes can surface at the most inopportune times so having a zapper handy would be awesome. People have seen results so I don’t doubt that this would be a cool supplement to your acne treatment but is probably not a good substitute for more traditional acne treatments. If you can justify the expense and hassle of using both a mechanical device for spot issues and more traditional medications than you would probably be pretty happy with Zeno Hot Spot; but if you want to control your acne rather than reacting to it you will need something else as well.

Right of the bat I have to give Zenmed credit for being at least a little bit different than the million other acne treatments on the market. What you get is an acne treatment pill that is meant to treat the acne from the inside out, a cleansing gel and what the company calls a maintenance gel. There are other treatments that use an internal medication but not many so points for originality.

What’s Inside

The basis for using an internal pill is to regulate the production of oil in the liver and hormone incongruities that cause breakdowns in the body’s defenses allowing acne bacteria to form and cause breakouts. The question you have to ask when choosing an internal treatment is if the ingredients will actually do those things. Zenmed lists a number of herbal supplements that have been shown to promote good health and there is some, although less, evidence that these herbs can help regulate hormone levels.

Both the cleansing and maintenance gels are pretty simple topical treatments. They contain mostly natural ingredients and few people report experiencing any substantial side effects.

Upside

There are a lot of people that have been very happy with this product. Their approach is refreshing and since acne really is an internal problem they approach acne from the best possible angle. There aren’t any side effects to report and from all the evidence I can gather, they are a reputable company that produces a good product.

Downside

Something that I never really understand is a company that tries to sell you a whole acne treatment system when at least two of the three products are redundant. You shouldn’t need a moisturizer after a cleanser unless there is something in the cleanser causing your skin to be overly dry. I also have some serious doubts about the effectiveness of the acne treatment pill. Anyone with any sense is going to realize that there is no such thing as a miracle pill. These pills claim to do a lot of different things and the truth is they simply can’t. They will give you some benefits but it’s not a fix all.

Conclusion

I don’t want to come down too hard on Zenmed because they make a pretty good product. The main thing I think you’ll find is they are trying to do too much. An internal medication for acne treatment is one of the best ways to fight acne but it would be better to focus on something they could actually help rather than filling it with a bunch of good stuff that won’t do much of anything. The other parts of the system really aren’t any better than a typical topical treatment so I wouldn’t say those are good or bad. I know you come here for recommendation so I apologize for riding the fence here but I don’t think you will see any better results with this product than any other. There are some I’d recommend more and some I’d recommend less.

First of all I like the name. Maybe because it reminds me of VO5 shampoo which came in a sweet 80’s gold bottle, I don’t know. Unfortunately a name doesn’t really tell you much about a product and I’ve lost count of all the products I’ve used that came in cool packages but weren’t actually cool at all. Vita B5 is also a cool product because it tries a different approach to acne. Instead of treating the surface of the skin exclusively, Vita B5 treats acne from the inside out. Since acne is mostly a result of what your body produces this seems like a pretty good way to do it.

What You Get

Vita B5 is a two step acne treatment system that includes a pill and an anti-acne serum. The capsule relies mostly on a “mega-dose” of Vitamin B5 which is the best way for the body to naturally reduce excess oil production without side effects. It also has some of the other popular acne treatments that reduce stress and regulate hormonal levels which takes care of all the major causes of acne inside the body.

The anti-acne serum contains a lot of the same products as the pill but works as a topical treatment to heal skin from the outside while the pill is working on the inside. The natural ingredients heal and rejuvenate the skin which is important to prevent scarring and the spread of acne causing bacteria on the skin’s surface.

Downside

Although I like the idea of a treatment system that works from the inside out I would understand if you had your doubts. It may be tough to trust such a claim until you saw it work for yourself. I feel the same way but the science behind Vitamin B5 treatment at least is solid so that can be some peace of mind.

Upside

You get most of the same benefits with this product that you do with most other natural treatments. Assuming they work, all natural treatments will help with acne without all the side effects. The nice thing about this product is it fights the causes of acne in a very simple manner with a natural product that you know will work. There is not need to take the time to scrub your skin with gritty exfoliates or harsh chemicals. All you have to do is let your body take care of the problem naturally from the inside and use the topical treatment to heal the skin on the outside.

Conclusion

I should probably recommend this product for the simple fact that it’s different. I know different doesn’t necessarily mean better but you have to admit it’s refreshing to see a company take a new approach to such and old problem. The system is very simple to use and doesn’t have any side effects. It uses a natural Vitamin with known properties and is priced right. You have very little to loose with this product and it’s a great alternative if you are sick of all the scrubs.

Pronexin is a one step acne scrub that the company guarantees will clear up acne in as little as 72 hours. Pronexin contains a blend of all natural herbs and vitamins and comes completely preservative, alcohol and benzoyl peroxide free.

Each bottle is meant to last about three months and, depending on where you buy it, comes with a money back guarantee including shipping.

What’s Inside

There isn’t a whole lot in Pronexin that will surprise you. It has a pretty good mix of mild exfoliates like walnut shell, with some great bacteria fighters like Tea Tree Oil and a whole list of great skin moisturizers and rejuvenators like aloe vera, oat flour and jojoba oil.

When you order the product you get a single bottle as opposed to an entire skin care system like a lot of other companies. The price is right in line with most other single treatment products and can even be found at significant discounts on the right internet sites.

Upside

If you are here it’s because you struggle with acne and are looking for a solution. There are a lot of solutions out there but not all of them treat acne equally or are found to produce the same results. If you go the more traditional route, you are going to no doubt use a chemical astringent like benzoyl peroxide or even a prescription medication. They are effective remedies for acne but they also have a lot of side effects that may not be very appealing. The benefit of buying a product like Pronexin is you can forget about all the side effects. It won’t dry your skin, it isn’t irritating at all and you still fight the major causes of acne. I also think a single-step system is nice for nothing else than the time and money you save. It also does the same kind of job as most multi-step cleansers and moisturizers without one product counteracting the other.

Downside

There isn’t much an acne suffer isn’t going to like about Pronexin. I know there are a lot of products out there and there is a chance that Pronexin is not the solution for you. In some cases it is absolutely necessary to get a prescription, in which case this kind of product would still be a good hygiene product but may not give you the results you are looking for. The bottom line here is you have very little to loose because there is nothing in Pronexin that will harm you and a great list of ingredients that have been proven to work.

Conclusion

I know it can be hard to differentiate between all the products out there. In order to make the best decision I think you should start with the simple answers and go from there. First, do you want a natural or a chemical remedy? Second, do you want a multi-step or a single step product? Last, what’s your price range? When you get the answers to these questions, look for a good product like Pronexin and choose which one is the best for you.

I don’t think I need to introduce you to Proactiv. If you found this site, no doubt you know a thing or two about acne treatments. I haven’t been able to watch tv in the past I don’t know how long without seeing a Proactiv commercial complete with a celebrity endorsement and all those wonderful before and after photos. I don’t think they actually invented the three part acne treatment system but they may as well have. Since Proactiv came on the market, copycats have sprung up in every corner of the market. Some are just as good, some are better, but none is as well known I’m sure.

What You Get

Since the three part acne treatment system has become so popular, you probably know the answer to this question too. It starts with a facial cleanser which is meant to lightly exfoliate and kill acne causing bacteria. Next comes what they call a “toner” which zaps problem areas and rejuvenates. Last is the medicated moisturizer which soothes and replenishes while supposedly guarding against future problems.

The three part system may have seemed innovative when Proactiv first came on the market but now it is an obvious progression of good hygiene. The cleanser uses specialized benzoyl peroxide micro-crystals to penetrate the skin and kill bacteria. There is nothing new about benzoyl, in fact it’s the original treatment for acne and, to be fair, is very effective. The next part of the system uses botanicals to “revitalize” the harm done by the cleanser while helping to keep your skin soft. The last stage is said to be medicated but I couldn’t find out with what exactly.

Upside

There is a reason Proactiv has come to the forefront of the acne treatment market and it isn’t just the advertising, although that helped. The product works with enough regularity that people are willing to pay for it.

Downside

I don’t know what it costs to make a commercial exactly but I can’t imagine it’s cheap. If it’s expensive to make a regular commercial, imagine how much more it would be to make one with every pop star out there. That may make for effective marketing but it doesn’t make the product any better. There isn’t really anything so special in Proactiv that can’t be found in any number of other products that would justify the added expense of their marketing. You also are set up on an autoship which can get really expensive if you don’t keep track.

Conclusion

It’s easy to beat up on Proactiv since they are the big boys on the block. They make the most noise so it would be easy to say they are all talk, but if you look closely they have a good product that works acceptably well. The problem is it works just as well as a hundred other products that don’t charge you for all their celebrity endorsements. In the end you will probably see results with Proactiv but there isn’t anything that makes it special.

You have no doubt seen the ads. Oxy has been the household name in acne for as long as I can remember. You no doubt used the famous oxy pads to clean your face during those terrible teen years. In fact you may be using them right now so I probably shouldn’t be calling this stage of your life terrible. Oxy clinical is the top of the line product from the Oxy Company. As the name suggests, it is the maximum strength product meant for those who really struggle with acne and want to call in the heavy ammunition to fight it.

What’s Inside?

The Oxy Clinical line is a whole host of products meant to treat the different problems we face during a breakout. You’ll find all the usual suspects: Face scrub, clearing treatment and a moisturizer. What you will also find are serious doses of Salicylic acid and Benzoyl peroxide.

Upside

It’s hard to argue with 30 years of success. I use the term success loosely since I know everyone and their dog used Oxy when I was growing up and we all still had acne. However, you don’t stay in business that long without doing something right. They make use of the most proven acne treatments available, treatments that have been used and proven effective over decades. I would call any Oxy product old faithful, you know exactly what you are going to get. That doesn’t mean it works for everyone but you know they aren’t going to be hitting you with anything innovative.

Downside

Even though Salicylic acid and Benzoyl peroxide are the best known acne treatments doesn’t mean they are the best. I know we’ve all felt that burning sensation and I also know we’ve all experienced the redness and irritation that follows. No wonder they sell a moisturizer as part of the package, you have to counteract the product you just used. I’ll never understand why companies expect you to buy a product from them to cure something the other product you bought from them caused.

Conclusion

As I said, Oxy didn’t become the big bad wolf of the acne market because they didn’t know what they were doing. Benzoyl kills bacteria very effectively and bacteria is one of the main causes of acne. If you are able to eliminate the bacteria you will likely see results. What I can also guarantee is you will see some side effects. I can’t say that Oxy products don’t work but I can say there are natural alternatives if the side effects aren’t something you want to deal with. I understand the track record of a company like Oxy matters to some of you, as it should, but there have been so many innovations in the field of dermatology over the years that you shouldn’t feel like how it’s been done for 30 years is how it has to be done forever. There are several other options to consider in that are just as effective and priced in the same range.

This is another acne scrub. I shouldn’t really put it like that because it’s not just another acne scrub, it’s a pretty good one. I may have given myself away before the climactic “conclusion” but there are so many products out there claiming to have crammed everything including the kitchen sink into an acne treatment I get a little excited when I find myself a product that simply treats acne with a simple solution.

What’s Inside

Oxycerin is mostly effective because of the 5% Tea Tree Oil. This is an extract from the Australian Melaleuca alternifolia plant. That sounds pretty scientific but it’s really just a natural oil extract similar to some you might be more familiar with like eucalyptus. The difference is, Tea Tree Oil has been shown to fight bacteria. In fact, studies have shown 5% Tea Tree Oil to be just as effective as similar quantities of benzoyl peroxide without the dry skin and irritation.

Oxycerin also makes use of aloe vera, white willow bark, licorice root and Hyaluronic acid. Each one of these ingredients helps to either rejuvenate skin, soothe irritation, detoxify or moisturize. If you take care of all those areas of skin care you have taken care of everything you need to.

Downside

The only risk you really take with a natural product is that you will pay for something that doesn’t work. This product may not work for everyone including those who have serious acne. There are hundreds of users with light to severe acne that have been very pleased with the results but everyone is different.

Upside

This is a very effective acne scrub that is completely benzoyl free. I usually worry about that since benzoyl peroxide has long been proven to be one of the few effective treatments for acne. With advances in dermatology, we now know there are other options. The use of Tea Tree Oil will give you the same result without the side effects which I know is a problem for a lot of people using astringents like benzoyl. It also makes use of other well known moisturizers and detoxifying agents which make Oxycerin a well rounded treatment for acne.

Conclusion

I already gave away that I liked this product. The price is right there with most scrubs and the ingredients are some of the best natural acne fighters on the market. The first line of defense for anyone who suffers from acne, which is just about all of us, is to keep your skin clean and smooth. The best way to do that is with a good scrub. Unfortunately most of the ones out there are going to dry out your face or cause you to turn redder than a tomato. If you are looking for a good scrub that makes use of what nature gave us as a means to avoid the aforementioned tomato look I suggest you find one that is benzoyl free and is priced right. This is a good option if you are in that market.

No matter what it Multivitamin Acne Gel is, it promises to clear up your skin in thirty days or your money back. I like money back guarantees because most of the junk out there isn’t worth the packaging. This doesn’t look like one of those products you would have to return but it’s nice to know the option is there.

Multivitamin Acne Gel is pretty much what it says it is. It’s a mixture of nine of the most effective natural acne fighters and vitamins in a smooth gel. I’ll get into specifically what’s inside in a second but that’s the long and short of it.

What’s Inside

All the ingredients in Multivitamin Acne Gel are natural herbs and minerals shown to promote healthy skin including the following:

1. 5% Tea Tree Oil – An essential oil from the native Australian plant known as Melaleuca alternifolia. Tea tree oil is known to kill the bacteria that are involved in causing acne. In a study comparing tea tree oil gel to benzoyl preoxide, tea tree oil had similar qualities but fewer side effects than the benzoyl peroxide.
2. 5% Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) – Vitamin B5 is found in nearly every food, especially legumes, eggs, and meat. It is an essential metabolite that helps metabolize fats as well as break down substance produced by your body called sebum, which is the chief acne causing agent in our body.
3. Aloe Vera Gel – Used for centuries as a treatment for irritated skin.
4. Resveratrol – Proven to help soften wrinkles, aid in weight loss, improve nutrient intake, help remove built up toxins from your body, and improve overall energy throughout the day. This helps the skin be more healthy and reduce stress which is a major acne causer.
5. 2% Vitamin B3 – Helps to detoxify the body, is good for digestion, can ease migraine headaches, Increases circulation and reduces high blood pressure and cholesterol, and is overall good for healthy skin
6. 2% Hyaluronic Acid – Works as a moisturizer but also seems to speed the rejuvenation of damaged skin cells.
7. Vitamin A – This vitamin helps to keep your system free from toxins that might otherwise cause damage to your skin. It also helps the skin to retain moisture.
8. Vitamin B7 (Biotin) – Vitamin B7 helps with natural energy production, metabolism of fats, it promotes and overall feeling of health and well-being.
9. Zinc – Healthy immune system, injury prevention and healing, scar healing and prevention.

Conclusion

Normally I would point out the upsides and downsides of a product like this but this one is simple enough that I don’t want to insult your intelligence. There are a lot of products out there that will use harsh astringents to kill acne causing bacteria. There are also a number of products that use some of the ingredients in Multivitamin Acne Gel to do the same thing without side effects. With this product you get all the effective acne fighting herbs and vitamins at a fair price with a money back guarantee. If you struggle with acne this is a good bet.

As the name suggest, this is an entire system of products meant to be used in conjunction to eliminate acne and all its effects. The web site spends a lot of time talking about how the product was developed by dermatologists, cosmetologists and naturopaths. Most products claim the same thing but that does cover all the skin care basics. The product is for skin health, it’s meant to make you look better and it contains a number of all natural ingredients.

What’s Inside

When you get the treatment package, depending on what system you get, you can expect to find the following items included:

1. Facial Cleanser – Meant to clean and “detoxify” you skin. The cleanser uses salicylic acid to unclog pores and as a mild exfoliant, sage extract as an anti-microbial agent and antioxidant, and Vitamin B5 to help in the process of regulating hormones and to reduce pore size.
2. Clearing Tonic – The Exposed clearing tonic is supposed to restore the natural pH of the skin. The tonic also contains antioxidants that help protect the cells from free radicals. In addition, the tonic exfoliates. The ingredients include sage extract, aloe vera, salicylic acid, green tea extract, and passion fruit.
3. Acne Treatment Serum (morning) – This Exposed morning serum is for killing acne causing bacteria while protecting the skin from future break outs. The serum contains micro-encapsulated benzoyl peroxide, and azelaic acid.
4. Clear Pores Serum (night) – The night time serum is needed to help the skin rejuvenate overnight. It also clears the skin from whiteheads and blackheads and it soothes the skin from the inflammation – reducing redness and swelling.

Upside

This treatment really goes after all the problems associated with acne. It employs just about every known acne treatment I’ve come across so you can be sure no stone is left unturned.

Downside

The first thing you notice as you go through the ingredients I listed, is repetition. I will never completely understand why acne treatment systems feel the need to have two different products that contain essentially the same active ingredients and accomplish the same task. The treatment serum also makes use of some potentially irritating acids. One of the reasons most people opt for a natural remedy, especially one formulated by a “naturopath,” is avoid things like benzoyl peroxide and azelaic acid.

Conclusion

It seems like a good idea to combat acne in a multi-stage treatment because there are so many different issues to deal with. Although dermatological ailments like acne can be serious, they are relatively simple. You need to kill the bacteria and keep the skin healthy. If you can do those two things, chances are you are going to have healthier clearer skin. There are so many products out there that come in far less packaging and with far fewer bottles that can accomplish that task. I think you would see pretty good results with this system but you could likely do just as well or better with far fewer bottles to buy.

Dermajuv has an entire line of skin care and beauty products that range from anti-aging serum to scar reducing creams. Dermajuv’s acne treatment system is comprised of a facial cleanser and what they call a clarifying cream. The product is meant for all types of acne including mild acne and cystic acne. Dermajuv is also an all natural herbal treatment that doesn’t make use of benzoyl peroxide.

How Does Dermajuv Work?

Both products in the system contain a popular acne compound called Resveratrol. It’s the presence of Resveratrol that Dermajuv claims gives its product the ability to penetrate deep into the skin and eliminate acne causing bacteria. Dermajuv claims that similar volumes of Resveratrol have been shown equally as effective as benzoyl peroxide. In addition, the Resveratrol is said to help control inflammation and redness associated with a breakout.

Dermajuv makes such a big deal about their ability to both treat the acne causing bacteria and swelling because those two factors are what lead to eventual scarring. Dermajuv is meant to be more than just a cleanser or a spot treatment but an overall defense against the short and long term consequences of acne.

Upside

Dermajuv is a pretty good product that makes use of a lot of natural skin-healing herbs and extracts that have been shown to help moisturize and rejuvenate skin. There are a lot of people who have serious allergic reaction to chemicals like benzoyl peroxide or simply find it to be irritating to the skin. Dermajuv is a natural product without such harsh chemicals like benzoyl and with good moisturizers like aloe vera and chamomile.

Downside

The worst part about Dermajuv is one of its benefits. The product is all natural which has the benefits I mentioned but may not be as effective as benzyol peroxide for all users. They also rely heavily on Resveratrol as a sort of fix all for acne. I don’t completely understand why they insist you buy a two product system when the same main ingredient makes up both products. This is one of the more expensive products and it seems they may be expecting you to pay more for the same thing.

Final Thought

I like Dermajuv but I do have some reservations about its cost and lack of variety in the ingredients. I’m not saying Resveratrol isn’t a popular acne treatment; I would just like to attack a problem from different angles if I’m being asked to pay for different products. The company takes a good preemptive approach to eliminating scarring that I also like but when you really get down to it, there isn’t much about Dermajuv that makes it different from other more competitively priced acne treatment systems. They do point out that eliminating inflammation can help prevent scarring but there are a number of products that also contain anti-inflammatory ingredients along with all natural bacteria killers. All in all I would place Dermajuv in the same category as all the other good natural remedies I’ve seen.