Sparkled Beauty

This post is dedicated to a product line that did wonder on the acne on my face. Accutane did help me tremendously since last year, but I do need some maintenance as time goes by.

My little story: I started using this 3-step regime when I was so fed up with some stubborn acne on my forehead. Within the first week, those spots were gone and I was so stoked. I did have my doubt at the beginning that any acne treatment product would work on me, because so many have failed already. I was so glad that I was wrong on this one. My skin was a lot calmer and has less breakouts.

Did I get you all curious? It's the Marcelle AC-Solutions. I was kindly sent the whole line to test out and for that, I am very greatful.

There are 4 AC Solution products, from L-R:
- Imperfection Corrector/ Blemish Control (0.18oz/ 5.8ml)
- Purifying Foaming Cleanser (5oz/ 150ml)
- Clarifying Lotion (6.7oz/ 200ml), and
- Oil-Free Moisturizing Regulating Lotion (1.75oz/ 50ml) with its original box.

Lovely white and blue colour theme packaging.

I am using the whole line as my 3+1 steps of facial care routine, so I am going to review them in that order. First off is the AC-Solution Purifying Foaming Cleanser.

It foams very well coming out of the pump and not runny. It is quite strong, so I only use it once at night instead of twice a day as suggested. It washes off my makeup well and leaves my skin squeaky clean.

I personally don't like how this product has a scent, but it's very mild and fades quickly. And if it works, scent is a very minor issue.

Main ingredients: Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, etc.

I follow up after washing with the AC-Solution Clarifying Lotion to make sure my face is clean, especially along the hair line and around my nose. Despite the name, it is a clear toner (hence no swatch). I could tell the cleanser does a great job seeing how little residue is left on the cotton pad I use with the toner. I don't have sensitive skin but do find the toner stings sometimes and it has the typical toner smell. I don't mind it though, as I have used stuff a lot worse than this (but didn't work).

Main ingredients: Water, Alcohol Denat, Butylene Glycol, Clycereth-18 Ethylhexanoate, Glycolic Acid, Citric Acid, etc. It is a bit drying and requires step 3.

The AC-Solution Oil-Free Moisturizing Regulating Lotion acts as a moisturizer and mattifier at the same time. It keeps my face soft and hydrated and eliminates the shine. It doesn't have a scent, absorbs really quickly and does not leave any greasy feeling, so I can go on with makeup in the morning without having to wait.

Main ingredients: Water, Alcohol Denat, Polyethylene, Butylene Glycol, Disiloxane, Polyamide-5, etc.

The only thing I complain about this product is the size. 50ml wouldn't last me long, as I do use it twice a day as suggested, unlike the first 2 products. It's the smallest among the 3 but I want to keep using them all together.

And for once in a blue moon when I spotted a new acne, I do the "+1 step" spot treatment with the AC-Solution Imperfection Corrector.

The applicator is a brush (like in some lipglosses), gentle on the face. The gel-like liquid is quite powerful though, mind you. 1 dab on the acne and it is a lot less red/ swollen the next morning. A few uses of it and the thing is gone. I still have to deal with dark spots that the acne leaves behind, but I'm glad the acne itself is gone quick. Maybe Marcelle could add scaring treatment product to this line? :-)

Main ingredients: Alcohol Denat, Water, Glycolic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Arginine, Salicylic Acid, etc.

I am aware of the fact that acne treatment products could work on someone and totally fail on someone else, or even work at certain time and doesn't at another time on the same person. This is just my experience with the line and why I love it. I know acne treatment is time consuming and very discouraging at times, trust me I've been there, for so many years. I found hope with this product line and I hope you can too, whatever products you are trying.