My Acne Clearing Combo: Garnier Pure Active For Sensitive Skin

When people bellow in agony “Oooooh, I’ve got a breakout!!!” and I see just a microscopic pimple or two on their otherwise flawless face, I roll my eyes and scream into my pillow. @_@

Update 2020: This post was written 7 years ago. My skin and skincare has gone through drastic changes with some traumatic experiences and of course, aging. Most of the products mentioned in this post are no longer in production, except for the Garnier Pure Active Spot Purifying Toner.

You can find more recent skincare posts on the homepage, but I'll list some helpful posts for troubled skin below:

17 Horrible Skincare Advice That Can Damage Your Skin

How To Calm Down Irritated, Sensitive Skin

Essential Home Facial Tools For Sensitive, Acne Prone Skin

Don't Buy Fakes!

Now, on to the review.

If I weren’t a beauty blogger, I would never have gotten acquainted with Garnier skincare. Living with brothers using Garnier Men, I couldn’t get past the association that Garnier is for men only. My first Garnier product was the Garnier BB Eye Roll-on Concealer, but I would recommend a more updated version of it: Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter Tinted Eye Roller.

Awwww...!! I miss my long hair! The event was actually 5 months ago, in December 2012. Ah yes, I took special effort to ensure that I really like the products I'm gonna talk about, hence the huge delay. Don't fancy first impressions on products that much, especially skincare.

Garnier Pure Active Deep Pore Unclogging Wash

First of all, I'm sorry but I really wouldn’t pick up a product that lacks in the packaging department unless I already know that it works wonders. I cannot put a finger as to what’s wrong with the packaging, maybe the radar image and rather clinical-looking design, but I would not find myself purchasing it because it just doesn't catch my eye.

The fact that we are visually stimulated is undeniable and inescapable. We are instinctively attracted to beautiful things, moved by them.

So if not for the Garnier party, I would have missed out on the opportunity to find a cleanser that finally works for my skin! This range wasn’t even the subject of the party; I got it as a Christmas ‘gift exchange’ which Garnier already prepared for us. Haha!

Why The Garnier PureActive Deep Pore Unclogging Wash Works

I believe what brought great changes to my skin is the infusion of Salicylic Acid + HerbaSoothe concentrated formula in the Deep Pore Unclogging Wash, which claims to let you see ‘results from Day 1’. I’m quite happy to say that it is to a certain extent quite true.

You might want to try Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant - the best in the market to tackle blackheads, congestion, and acne.

From the moment I first used it till now, my acne has been kept quite under control. I haven’t had any SERIOUS breakout, except when I use other new products that threaten to stage a face war.

I’ve read blogs that go on and on about finding the right ingredient that would work for your skin but never knew how to go about discovering it. Now I have! OMG!

Unfotunately, out of the entire Pure Active range for acne-prone skin, only the Deep Pore Unclogging Wash works for me.

The Multi-Action Foam Cleanser is wayyyy too strong even for my oily skin to take and leaves it tight and uncomfortable. The Garnier Spot Purifying Toner is negligible – sometimes I use it and don't feel it has done anything at all, other times I feel that the alcohol content is too high and leaves my skin feeling parched. The Spon-on Roll-on doesn’t do anything for spot healing. In fact, for those few times I tried it, the zits seemed to worsen. =O

Garnier Pure Active Fruit Energy Daily Energising Gel Scrub

Apart from the Deep Pore Cleanser, I use the Daily Energising Gel Scrub, which is safe for daily use. It is a non-aggravating chemical exfoliant to remove dead skin cells and dirt accumulated through the day and unclog pores. I find it remarkable that it is not damaging like more hardcore exfoliators which are recommended for use only once or twice a week, yet efficient in making me feel like my skin is thoroughly cleansed after my shower.

It contains grapefruit and pomegranate, which are also great anti-inflammatory agents that reduce skin irritation. Love the sweet scent too!

This Fruit Energy range has a Daily Energising Gel Wash but even though it’s labelled as ‘For Oily Skin Prone To Imperfections’, I don’t think this cleanser cleans as well as the Deep Pore Unclogging Wash. It's weird that even though the Fruit Energy range contains Salicylic Acid as well (in the ingredients list), the Gel Wash does not do anything for me.

Garnier Aqua Defense Moisturizer For Sensitive Skin

Once again, I’d never feel inclined to reach out for this cute little pink tub had I not won it at the event. I know it’s pink and I do like pink, but it just doean’t appeal to me! Garnier’s packaging just doesn’t speak to me like other brands do.

I'm so lucky to have won this moisturizer. I love that it is for sensitive skin because while my skin is not innately sensitive as I mentioned in my Curel Moisturizer review, it is susceptible to certain ingredients. This Aqua Defense for Sensitive Skin does not cause any irritation, leaves my skin soft and is great for day wear. It is probably not moisturizing enough for night time repair though.

Now that my skin is becoming slightly less oily (GETTING OLD T_T) and the jawline is getting dry, I pair this with Aqualabel Gel Cream, which is thicker, on the jawline. This is to ensure that foundation on my jawline stays on for longer. Well-moisturized skin keeps makeup fresh and less patchy!

If You Suffer From Acne And Scars…

Ever since I got acne in secondary school, I’ve spent embarrassingly unnecessary amounts of money on expensive skincare products in exchange for the promise of better skin.

Plenty of makeup and skincare products are sent my way but I’m never obligated to review all of them. I review something only because I truly want to convey a message and I want to share how much this little bottle has helped with my skin condition. I can’t thank Garnier enough for inviting me and the stars for aligning on that special day so that I could win this set of products that no one else in the room won.

Some lucky girl scored a H&M voucher, another won movie tickets, but I'd choose long-term skin condition saviors over instant gratification anytime.

I can't say if I will re-purchase these products and continue loving them because skin changes with age and environmental factors. But for now, I give them the thumbs-up!

Bun Bun rates Garnier Deep Pore Unclogging Wash, Daily Energizing Gel Scrub, And Aqua Defense Moisturizer For Sensitive Skin:

What cleanser do you use? Do you exfoliate frequently? Do you find your skin getting drier as you grow older??