Acne cleansers and scrubs are some of the simplest ways of treating acne these days. A lot of work goes into combining different ingredients to give results that would be compatible with different skin types. But are they all effective? Let us use Bioré Charcoal Acne Scrub as a case study.
In case you are not very familiar with the brand, Bioré has been around for some time. It focuses on eliminating acne by clearing one pore after another, giving its customers the cleanest pores possible.
This acne scrub works by using salicylic acid and charcoal to get to the source of acne and treat it. While doing this, it also keeps new breakouts from occurring.
Additionally, the combination of the skin-purifying technology with charcoal and salicylic acid weakens old and new dirt and dead skin cells. When this is done, the micro-crystals and beads exfoliate the skin to get the debris completely off.
In the end, you get better skin, so clean that acne has no conducive environment to thrive on.
Stick with us to the end as we discuss these points in greater details. But to learn more about acne treatments, read this article.
Table of Contents
Who Can Use Bioré Charcoal Acne Scrub
Ideally, it is best for those with oily skin. This is because charcoal is known as a good adsorbent. When the skin produces excess oil that is not gotten rid of, it creates a good place for acne to start from. As much as this is not the only cause of acne, it is a chief contributor.
Besides, the formulation of the scrub was made to suit oily skin best. However, it is still safe for those with acne-prone skin to use. Acne-prone skin could be any type of skin, including sensitive skin.
Additionally, if you get a sudden breakout of acne or zits that you cannot conceal or work with, you can also use this acne scrub. It gives results in just 2 days from first use. This, of course, could be dependent on the frequency of use.
According to the brand, it is best used 2 or 3 times a week. But if you need to and if your skin can handle it, you can use it every day or twice a day.
It is important to note here that you should discontinue use if you find your skin is not compatible with it. And if you have an allergy to salicylic acid or any other ingredient, check with your dermatologist before you start using it.
User-friendliness of Bioré Charcoal Acne Scrub
The scrub is quite easy to use, as are a lot of other acne scrubs. A little amount will go a long way so squeeze a little into your hand. Add some water and mix them before massaging it all over your face.
Give it a little time so your skin can absorb it before you rinse everything off thoroughly. The rinsing part is important so be careful not to just gloss over it.
Dry your face and apply anything else you want, as long as it won’t clog your pores. For better results, you may want to moisturize immediately after this routine. This is because salicylic acid could be a little drying to the skin.
Features of Bioré Charcoal Acne Scrub
Salicylic Acid
The acid is a great exfoliant. This means it helps the skin to get rid of dead skin cells, old and new. This is great because when the mixture of oil and dead cells clog hair follicles or pores, the skin becomes unable to breathe.
Consequently, they pile up and without any way of shedding them, they fester and become a good breeding ground for bacteria and other microorganisms.
But the presence of salicylic acid keeps the pores clean and free of dirt, which is the beginning of control acne and every other breakout.
Having the best effect on blackheads and breakouts that are not inflamed, the acid works maximally when it is combined with other ingredients that are detrimental to acne. Enter Charcoal.
Charcoal
You may wonder how charcoal helps to treat acne. Well, activated charcoal, as it is called, works by a process called adsorption. This is different from absorption.
Adsorption is the adhesion of gaseous or liquid substances to the surface of a solid one, to form a thin layer on it. So charcoal draws out impurities like toxins to the surface and leaves them there. What is left within the skin would be mostly pure substances, which is part of the acne treatment process.
The presence of charcoal improves the efficacy of salicylic acid, making it more effective in removing impurities.
Micro-crystals and Beads
These are usually found in scrubs; they are what make scrubs what they are and different from mere cleansers.
When the combination of salicylic acid and charcoal have done their jobs of drawing out impurities and weakening them, these beads and crystals are what slough them off the skin.
They make exfoliation of the skin possible, to leave it as clean and as free of dirt and excess sebum as possible.
They could be made from anything but usually, they are healthy for the skin and not to be used too forcefully, to avoid abrasions.
Skin-purifying Technology
This technology seems to be exclusive to the Bioré brand. And it is necessary in its quest to rid the world of acne, pore by pore.
The technology works at cleaning the skin and keeping it free from impurities as much as possible. It makes the entrance of active ingredients in the scrub possible by clearing the way for them to enter.
This way, as long as the scrub is used, there will be as little future breakouts as possible or none at all.
Pros of Bioré Charcoal Acne Scrub
i. The acne scrub purifies the skin.
ii. It cleans it from deep and leaves the pores free of dirt.
iii. It also clears the skin, making it blemish-free.
iv. Additionally, it soaks up excess oil to give a balance.
v. What’s more, it is gentle and mild enough to be used daily or as is needed.
vi. And it is quite affordable.
Check out these interesting acne product reviews/articles:
Neutrogena Naturals Acne Foaming Facial Scrub – In-depth Review
Clean and Clear® Oil-free Pore Cleanser Daily Acne Face Wash – In-depth Review
Neutrogena Oil-free Pink Grapefruit Acne Face Wash – In-depth Review
Clean and Clear® Acne Triple Clear Exfoliating Facial Scrub – Detailed Review
AcneFree Acne Cleanser – In-depth Review
Clean & Clear Blackhead Eraser Facial Scrub – Extensive Review
Cons of Bioré Charcoal Acne Scrub
i. People with very dry skin may find it too drying.
ii. Skin sensitive to salicylic acid or any of the other ingredients would react badly to it.
Alternatives to Bioré Charcoal Acne Scrub
More Affordable Option – Bioré Warming Anti-Blackhead Cleanser
While it works with salicylic acid and is more affordable, there is a unique difference. This cleanser grows warm while you apply it to your face. The warmness does not last but it is effective in loosening caked dirt to be fully washed off. Plus, flakiness of the skin is visibly reduced after just one use.
Opposite Spectrum Option – Botanic Tree Men’s Acne Face Wash
Made exclusively for men, this face wash gives fast results – as early as 12 hours after the first use. It is made with natural salicylic acid derived from the willow bark tree, along with extracts Tea Tree and Thyme for their anti-inflammatory properties.
What’s more, it can also be used on the body to treat shoulder and back acne. It moisturizes, it cleanses and – wait for it – it causes scars from acne to fade.
Higher-end Option – Glytone Acne Clearing Cleanser
This option treats acne by using salicylic acid to wash away dirt from the surface of the skin. While doing this, it unclogs the pores and goes deep within the skin to clean out every impurity. It equally prevents new breakouts as well as treats whiteheads and blackheads. And to top it all off, it gives the skin an even tone.
Comparison Table
Bioré Charcoal Acne Scrub
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Bioré Warming Anti-Blackhead Cleanser
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Botanic Tree Men’s Acne Face Wash
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Glytone Acne Clearing Cleanser
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| Active Ingredients | Salicylic acid and charcoal | Salicylic acid | All-natural salicylic acid with thyme and tea tree | Salicylic acid |
| Best for | Everyone | Both women and men | Men | Anyone with acne |
| Ideal Skin Type | Oily skin | Acne-prone skin | Skin prone to acne | Blemish-prone skin |
General Feeling among Users – Bioré Charcoal Acne Scrub
Apparently, this product is not obscure but has been used by many people. The general opinion is good but the number of naysayers cannot be ignored.
Users like that it uses charcoal, which actually works at ridding the skin of impurities. And the presence of salicylic acid also adds to their confidence of the scrub’s effectiveness.
Those with sensitive skin, most of them anyway, liked how they didn’t break out or react to it. Moreover, they like that the claim it has to giving fast results is not just hype.
But there were a few reports of excess drying. This could be attributed to allergic reactions to salicylic acid, which could cause a bit of dryness.
Our Take – Bioré Charcoal Acne Scrub
We like its simple effectiveness. Bioré’s claim of working smarter, not harder is made evident in this acne scrub and we are not just saying this.
There is a chance you could react to it and this reaction could happen in any way. This is especially true if you have really sensitive skin. But we would recommend it if you are prone to acne and you have a budget. The chances of getting results are high.
