What is Mark Kay Clear Proof?
Mary Kay Clear Proof is a four product acne system that is said to clear up blemishes without irritation, unclog pores, remove excess oil, fade the look of lingering acne spots, and help maintain a clear complexion. The four products in Mary Kay Clear Proof Acne System include:
- Clear Proof Clarifying Cleansing Gel
- Clear Proof Blemish Control Toner
- Clear Proof Acne Treatment Gel
- Clear Proof Oil-Free Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin
The first step of the Mary Kay Clear Proof Acne System is the Clarifying Cleansing Gel. This cleanser combines 2% salicylic acid with cocamidopropyl betaine (a surfactant derived from coconut) to trap excess oil and dirt and wash these impurities away. Of note, there are a few preservatives in this cleanser that are considered to be unsafe by many people, including DMDM hydantoin and two types of parabens.
Similar to the cleanser, Mary Kay Clear Proof Blemish Control Toner includes 2% salicylic acid as the active ingredient. Unfortunately, this toner also includes a very high concentration of denatured alcohol. A high concentration of denatured alcohol is problematic for all skin types because this type of alcohol is well known to cause skin dryness, irritation, and even disruption of the skin barrier. While denatured alcohol will immediately degrease the skin, it can actually dry out the skin so much that the skin will produce more oil over time to compensate for the dryness. This can lead to clogged pores and acne breakouts.
Mary Kay Clear Proof Acne Treatment Gel features 5% benzoyl peroxide as the active ingredient to help destroy the bacteria that causes acne. However, just like the Clear Proof Blemish Control Toner, this treatment gel contains a high concentration of denatured alcohol. The combination of benzoyl peroxide and denatured alcohol has the potential to cause your skin to become dry, irritated, and flaky.
Clear Proof Oil-Free Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin is a fragrance-free, lightweight moisturizer that is recommended to be used as the final step of the Mary Kay Clear Proof Acne System. However, there aren’t any anti-acne ingredients in this moisturizer. In fact, there are a few ingredients in this moisturizer that are comedogenic (can clog pores), such as stearic acid and isostearyl alcohol. Including comedogenic ingredients in a moisturizer for acne-prone skin doesn’t make much sense! Despite this, there are a few beneficial ingredients in this Mary Kay skin care product, such as niacinamide (vitamin B3), pumpkin fruit extract, and vitamin E.
What are the key ingredients in Mary Kay Clear Proof?
In order to know whether the Mary Kay Clear Proof Acne System will work for you, it’s important to look at the ingredients used in each product. It can be a pain to find the ingredient list for each product, and then try to figure out how each ingredient works, so we’ve done the hard work for you! Read on to learn about the key ingredients used in each of the Mary Kay Clear Proof products and how they will affect your skin.
Salicylic acid is the active ingredient in the Mary Kay Clear Proof Clarifying Cleansing Gel and Blemish Control Toner. As a lipid soluble beta hydroxy acid (BHA), salicylic acid has the ability to easily penetrate into pores where it exfoliates the pore lining and loosens clogged dirt and oil. It also has the ability to dissolve keratin, the protein that acts as a “glue” to keep dead skin cells together in the stratum corneum. This is effective because dead skin cells can build up on the surface of your skin, leaving it looking dull and also possibly clogging pores.
Another way salicylic acid helps to fight acne is through its antibacterial activity. Salicylic acid has the ability to inhibit the production of various aspects necessary for binary fission (bacterial reproduction), such as fibrinogen, fibronectin, and alpha-hemolysis. Therefore, salicylic acid can neutralize the bacteria P. Acnes that is present in acne papules. Lastly, salicylic acid has anti-inflammatory properties, which is ideal for treating acne since inflammation will worsen breakouts.
The active ingredient in Mary Kay Clear Proof Acne Treatment Gel is benzoyl peroxide, another very common anti-acne ingredient. As the name implies, benzoyl peroxide is something known as a peroxide, the technical term for an unstable bond between two oxygen atoms that can create free radicals. While free radicals often have a negative connotation when it comes to skin care, in this case they can be used to effectively kill P. acnes bacteria by destroying the cell walls. Additionally, benzoyl peroxide can exfoliate and help peel the outer layer of skin. One drawback of benzoyl peroxide is that while it does effectively kill P. acnes, it also kills the good bacteria that keep your skin healthy. This can leave skin feeling dry and irritated, which for some people can make skin look worse.
Where is Mary Kay Skin Care sold?
The Clear Proof Acne System and other Mary Kay skin care products can be purchased directly from the company’s website, on third party online retailers like Amazon, or from an independent Mary Kay consultant. However, it’s a good idea to be prepared for a face-to-face meeting with any beauty consultant, because at the end of the day, their job is to make a sale. Therefore, the savvy consumer will benefit from doing significant research about the company’s products and reading Mary Kay Clear Proof reviews. Such detailed information will help you ask the right questions, so that you can make a truly informed decision.
What is the Mary Kay return policy?
Mary Kay deals with their customers through the Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants. For any query or returns, you will have to contact your Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant. The Mary Kay return policy states the following, “If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with any Mary Kay product purchased from an authorized Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant, it will be replaced without charge, exchanged or the full purchase price refunded following its return to your authorized Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant or, if she is no longer active, to the Company with proof of purchase.”
Is Mary Kay cruelty free?
Mary Kay is not cruelty free. While Mary Kay does not conduct animal testing on their products or ingredients, they do test on animals when required to do so by law (such as in China). According to PETA, Mary Kay has taken steps to work with Chinese officials on the acceptance of using alternative methods to substantiate the safety of their ingredients and products.
Alicia Rump Original review: Jan 20, 2024.
I think it’s the toner that does it for me! I’ve never had a product ease the bumps on my forehead and reduce my pores so effectively. There is a drying affect, but I only noticed it during the first few applications, and I reduced using the gel to one or two times a week, but I use the toner and moisturizer daily! It has evened out the dry vs. oily areas, and my skin is so much better over all! I do add a second moisturizer, a sleep mask, so if you experience mild dryness, this helps as well!