ThinkGemini: Influenster Voxbox - Mary Kay Clearproof

I received the Mary Kay Clearproof Acne System from Influenster to test for 30 days and review. This acne treatment is said to provide clearer skin in just 7 days, based on a 12-week independent clinical study. It claims to:

Clears up blemishes without irritation and helps maintain a clear complexion.
Unclogs pores, removes excess oil and leaves skin feeling healthier.
Fades the look of lingering acne spots.
Attacks multiple factors that can contribute to acne breakouts.

Key Ingredients

Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are both recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. dermatologists as effective acne-fighting ingredients. So what makes them different?

Salicylic acid acts like an exfoliant to promote the easy removal of dead skin cells. As such, it helps keep pores unclogged and reduce the buildup of P. acnes bacteria.
Benzoyl peroxide (BPO), on the other hand, is an oxygen-releasing ingredient that kills bacteria. P. acnes bacteria flourish when there’s a lack of oxygen, like in a clogged pore. By creating an oxygen-rich environment, BPO can help reduce the number of P. acnes bacteria that can cause lesions to form. It also can help in dissolving the buildup of dead skin cells.

The combination of these ingredients attacks acne in multiple ways to not only help clear up existing acne but also help keep future acne from forming in the first place.

I was excited to try this treatment out because I have just about given up on finding a treatment that works. I know that acne is greatly affected by stress and diet and my stress levels are high and my diet is poor. At least I am aware of this and continuously working on it.

This four piece set includes:

Clarifying Cleansing Gel
Retails for $16.00
Contains 2% salicylic acid
The Clear Proof® Clarifying Cleansing Gel is the first step in the Clear Proof® Acne System. It is a clear cleanser that deep cleanses skin to penetrate and clear pores, and it gently removes dirt, excess oil and complexion-dulling impurities. This salicylic acid formula helps reduce shine and unclog pores to help you achieve clearer skin.

My opinion:
I really like the cleansing gel. It lathered nicely and rinsed off without leaving any type of residue. My face felt smooth and clean which is how I like it to feel after I wash it!

Blemish Control Toner
Retails for $15.00
Contains 2% salicylic acid
The Clear Proof® Blemish Control Toner is the second step in the Clear Proof® Acne System. It tones without over-drying, cleanses skin completely and helps control shine. This salicylic acid-based formula helps remove dead skin cells to help keep pores from clogging and prevent new pimples from forming. This toner helps tighten pores and appear less noticeable to give you healthy, clearer skin. Plus, it leaves skin feeling soft and supple.

My opinion:
I have never really liked toner to begin with. It always irritates my skin. Within seconds of applying I could see my skin getting red. It didn't last long, once I applied the moisturizer it went away.

Acne Treatment Gel
Retails for $10.00
Contains 5% benzoyl peroxide.
The Clear Proof® Acne Treatment Gel is the third step in the Clear Proof® Acne System. It helps clear up pimples fast while helping prevent new ones from forming. This lightweight benzoyl peroxide product penetrates and clears pores to target bacteria and visibly reduce a pimple's redness. This highly effective cream absorbs quickly to help reduce the number of acne pimples and allows skin to heal. Plus, it helps fade the look of lingering acne spots.

My opinion:
This did absorb quickly and was very soothing after applying the toner.

Total Beauty.com 2014 Awards
The Clear Proof® Acne Treatment Gel has been awarded "Best Acne Spot Treatment" by totalbeauty.com.

Moisturizer
Retails for $18.00
The Clear Proof® Oil-Free Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin is the fourth step in the Clear Proof® Acne System. This fast-absorbing, lightweight, non-pore-cloggling formula helps replenish moisture to provide balanced hydration and helps control shine and excess oil, leaving skin with a beautiful matte finish.

My opinion:
I did not like this moisturizer. It was soothing but it was not quick-absorbing at all! It was so watery and I much prefer my moisturizer to be more creamy. This product left me feeling like I had gel all over my face. I would have to keep rubbing it in and ain't nobody got time for that!

Application Tips:

Apply cleanser to entire affected area one to three times daily; rinse thoroughly. Because excessive drying of the skin may occur, start with one application daily, then gradually increase to two or three times daily if needed or as directed by a physician.

I only applied this once a day every night after my shower. I don't really have time to apply it two or three times a day, plus I was afraid it would dry out my face.

The set retails for $45.00 but they also have The Go Set available for $20.00 which includes travel-sized versions which would be perfect to give it a try to see what you think or take with you when you travel.

My overall opinion:
As you can see from the incredibly embarrassing photo below, I am not completely acne free but it is much better than when I began. It actually seemed to get worse before it got better, but it did get better. My face feels softer and more smooth. I am definitely going to continue using this set after my 30 day trial but money is tight right now and I'm just not sure if I will buy another set when this one runs out.

Before and after photo from the box.

Influenster Voxbox Contents

Info card with information about the product.

Info card with what to do now that I received my voxbox.

Booklet with all the information you could possibly want about the product from Mary Kay.

My personal favorite: another chance to receive more free products!

Have you tried this acne treatment before? What were your thoughts? Do you have a system that works for you? Let me know in the comments below.

Here are some links (in addition to the ones at the beginning) to more information about the products and how I got to try them for free.

Influenster.com