:Clear Skin Blog

What makes a good acne treatment commercial? I’ve been studying this lately, as I’m considering putting out a few commercials (or infomercials) myself for Clear5. In simple terms, a good commercial is any commercial that moves product, with brand building being a nice side benefit. However, setting aside that market reality, what makes a commercial that actually benefits you, the acne sufferer?

The right sales pitch can sell any product, as recent examples like the Snuggie (basically a backwards bath robe) and Vince Offer’s Shamwow and Slapchop (products you’ve all seen before) can attest. But for the acne sufferer who’s been let down by dozens of competing products already, it can take a little more to make a commercial trustworthy - or at least it should.

Proactiv is obviously the biggest success story in the market, with their approach of using celebrity testimony. Testimony is a powerful marketing tool. It’s hard to refute a product’s claims when dramatic before-and-after pictures are staring you in the face. However, the fact is that every acne product has testimony. Often, besides just using a treatment, testimony candidates are given advice on factors such as their diet, which can play a powerful role in helping their skin improve.

Given the short nature of commercials, perhaps the hardest thing for any product to communicate is *how* it works. And yet, this is often the most important factor when evaluating a treatment. I know that I would have a hell of a time trying to explain the connection between the factors that make Clear5 work, from vitamin B5 to Coenzyme-A to hormonal production and sebum metabolism - all in 60 seconds! Most listeners would probably be flat-out confused.

Despite the time-limit barrier, most commercials at least make a short attempt at explaining how they combat acne. The factor to listen for here is the language. Sayings like “our treatment gets deep under the skin” are generally just sales talk. A more trustworthy commercial will usually mention key active ingredients. If these are the same ingredients found in a million other treatments you’ve already tried (like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid), you can probably skip this one. However, if a treatment actually combats acne from a new angle, it may be worth looking into.

Remember not to be swayed by the same old tactics. Testimony is everywhere. Celebrities can be paid to say most anything. Just because a treatment is “developed by a doctor” doesn’t mean squat (so are 1,000 other treatments that don’t work). If you’ve tried every off-the-shelf treatment without luck, don’t buy into treatments that use the same ingredients, just with a slick new sales pitch. Look for something that genuinely takes a different approach, and you may just find a solution that works for you.

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Castor oil is a popular ingredient in skin care and acne soap bars, noted for its moisturizing properties. However, when used by itself, it can often be more effective than the products that contain it, as these often include other synthetic ingredients that can cause more harm than good.

A natural vegetable oil, castor oil comes from the castor bean. Like many herbal oils, its medical use predates modern medicine. Traditionally, castor oil has been used to soothe and treat skin disorders, burns, sunburns, and minor cuts. Due to its molecular weight, this natural oil is able to penetrate deep into the skin, more so than most store-bought moisturizers.

For best results, it is recommended to apply 100% pure castor oil directly. The oil itself can feel a little thick (and even sticky). This is natural, but keep in mind that you don’t want clog your pores or seal in any unwanted bacteria, so be sure to begin by washing your face thoroughly beforehand and patting dry. Apply castor oil lightly over blemish spots (or dry skin areas), allow the oil to seep in for about 30 minutes, and if needed, gently rinse off any that remains. Unlike tea tree oil, castor oil has almost no scent, so you can use it at any time of the day without attracting attention.

By itself, castor oil is a powerful moisturizer, but not an all-in-1 acne cure. As with any moisturizer, applying it too thick can cause problems for your skin, so don’t overdo it. It also makes a great ingredient if you are into crafting homemade soaps. While castor oil will not prevent the root causes of acne formation, it can help existing blemishes heal faster with less risk of scarring, as well as keep your skin cells moisturized and supple, reducing the risk of acne that can be brought on by dry, irritated skin.

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