The ingredients in a Clearasil product vary according to the product's intended purpose: spot treatment, facial cleanser, scrub, gel, cream, masque, etc.
Most contain similar-yet-different active ingredients. This is confusing and it takes time to sort out which combination is safe for you or works best. They are not all created equal.
The following quote comes from a website touting one of Clearasil's products. Many other manufacturers use the same or similar ingredients in different strengths or percentages.
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"Clearasil is an acne medicine with a very complex formula. ...Among the active ingredients in a Clearasil product (NOTE: some may not be mentioned here) are 10% Benzoyl Peroxide; Resorcinol 2% and Sulfur 8%; The inactive ingredients are SD Alcohol 40B, Bentonite, Fragrance, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Iron Oxide, Isopropyl Myristate, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Simethicone, Talc, Titanium Dioxide, Water."
What do these ingredients in a Clearasil product do?
• Benzoyl Peroxide - a powerful bleaching agent. In high concentrations, it's highly flammable, explosive and toxic if you breathe it in....potentially harmful if you swallow it or get it on your skin! Also, studies have shown that long-term use can lead to acne and skin cancer.
• Resorcinol - a disinfectant that research indicates is overly irritating to skin.
• Salicylic Acid - widely used for the removal of warts. When large amounts are absorbed through the skin it may cause vomiting, abdominal pain, increased respiration, acidosis, mental disturbances, and skin rashes. Avoiding contact with face, genitals, and mucous membranes is highly recommended.
• Sulfur - a very active ingredient. Using too much, too frequently, of any active product is never recommended.
• SD Alcohol 40B - an ethanol denatured by adding tiny amounts of the bitterest tasting substance known -- denatonium benzoate. (If you taste it you'll want to spit it out immediately - good plan considering the warnings against swallowing the accompanying ingredients, Benzoyl Peroxide and Salicylic Acid).
• Bentonite - absorbs, binds, detoxes and unless it's very high quality (most unlikely), contains parabens (see below.)
• Fragrance - "fragrance" is not just one of the ingredients in a Clearasil product. There are artificial or chemical fragrances (up to 200 undeclared substances are possible "fragrances") added to acne and skin care products as the way to mask the smell of their basic ingredients.
• Glyceryl Stearate SE - wax-like emulsifier that also contains a small amount of sodium and or potassium stearate
• Iron Oxide - coloring agent to make product blend with skin tone and hide pimples. This is one of the ingredients in a Clearasil product that is not considered toxic.
• Isopropyl Myristate - major ingredient in a can of penetrating rust remover; makes products feel creamy, however it can causes grade one and grade two cosmetic acne.
• Methylparaben and Propylparaben - parabens including methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben and ethylparaben are used to increase the shelf life of skin care and acne products. Parabens have been known to cause skin irritation, rash, contact dermatitis, eczema, or allergic skin reactions and disrupt the body’s endocrine system. In laboratory testing parabens have been found to mimic the hormone estrogen and encourage the growth of cancer cells.
• Simethicone - used as an anti-foaming compound.
• Talc - is closely related to the potent carcinogen asbestos and is toxic. (Aside: Talc poses a health risk when exposed to the lungs. If you use baby powder you may want to switch to a non-talc-based powder or use cornstarch...)
• Titanium Dioxide - has significant photocatalytic activity and may promote formation of free radicals (bad guys) when exposed to sunlight.
• Water - can help or hinder, depending on its quality and cleanliness.
In the United States, The Campaign For Safe Cosmetics is urging consumers to demand that potentially harmful ingredients in Clearasil products be removed.
Neutrogena, Oxy and Clean and Clear have also been asked to remove similar ingredients from their products.
Check the label on every skin care product, no matter the manufacturer, before you put anything on your face or skin!
Everybody is ignorant,
only on different subjects. Will Smith
credit: I'm No ONe
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