Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion

(sorry for the shabby looking bottle, I've had it for a while)

Packaging/Pricing:

Very affordable product at 13$ for 200ml (6.7fl.oz). The bottle is made of clear plastic. Definitely keep this product away from the sun (in the bathroom cabinet for example) to keep formulation safe.

Ingredients:

Water, Butylene Glycol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Salicylic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder, Arginine, PEG-10 Soy Sterol, Ceteth-20, Panicum Miliaceum (Millet) Seed Extract, Dimethicone, Ceteth-2, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Green 5, Yellow 10.

Naruko AMPM BHA Skin Renewal Serum

Having very high hopes for this product I was very disappointed when I finally had a chance to look at the ingredients in this serum. Since Neutrogena discontinued my favourite BHA exfoliant (3in1 Hydrating Acne Treatment), I am looking for a new one. Sadly enough there are not as many good choices of BHA exfoliant on the market as there are of AHA exfoliants. BHA or salicylic acid is oil soluble (vs AHA being water soluble), so it is good at penetrating pores and unclogging them, as well as reducing inflammation. It is generally recommended for people with oily or acne prone skin. I have somewhat dry skin, but I find it perfect for taking care of blackheads, preventing and treating breakouts, and exfoliation for better cell turnover.

I have already mentioned that I usually buy Naruko products so to say blindly. There are no lists of ingredients on the website, only description of few key ingredients, which is not very helpful. So it is always a risk. But I do have unexplainable warm feelings towards this brand, and for some reason I go to the lengths to find great products in the line (with most other brands I would have given up a long time ago). 

Packaging/Pricing:

 

30ml (1.05fl.oz) for 35$ (here). Price is pretty average for a serum, neither it is super cheap, nor bank breaking. Bottle is ridiculously cute. I do not usually have weakness for the packaging, but I have to admit this one is definitely noteworthy (picture doesn't give it a justice). Otherwise the opaque glass bottle with a dropper is a good choice for storing any serum.

 

Evologie Intensive Blemish Serum

I have been introduced to this product through Glossy box subscription. I had two travel size mini versions and really have been hooked on it. So I purchased a full size product. This is the best spot treatment I have ever tried. I do have an amazing drugstore find in "acne fighting" category: Neutrogena 3 in 1 Hydrating Acne treatment.

 

I cannot say enough praise about Neutrogena's offering. So I have been very sad when they discontinued it (I think it may still be available in Canada). Because of that, I wouldn't do a separate review on it. But it is my gold standard, so I naturally compare everything to it. Both products feature salicylic acid as an active ingredient. I am a big fan of BHA (salicylic acid) as an acne treatment and as an exfoliant in general. Neutrogena's Acne Treatment is very light weight gel, which doesn't dry out skin, really efficient at reducing redness and pimples, and can be used all over face. Evologie's product is a serum type of texture which better suited as a targeted treatment and I do not generally apply it all over the face (for the reasons I will go into a bit later).

Packaging/Pricing:

15ml (0.5fl.oz) This serum comes in opaque pump bottle, which I 100% approve. The pump itself allows you to control amount of product you dispense rather well. Evologie brand offers only three products in their line (here), all of which are not cheap (still, they are not crazy expensive). The serum retails for 35$ US, which I have to admit for 15ml is not very budget friendly. But I do think it is worth a splurge. I've tried two other products from the line and though they are not bad (ingredients wise they are excellent), I would recommend to pass on them and go only for the serum.