Don’t hate me when I say this, but I have never had to worry about pimples. While all my friends struggled with acne and zits through the teen years, I bopped along, obliviously complaining about the single blemish I’d get between my brows right before my period. Though I could empathize with their struggle against the whiteheads, blackheads, and the oh so painful underskin oil wells, I didn’t realize how fortunate I was. Until now. Because lucky me, reverse puberty has rewarded me with fierce, red, persistent zits.

I’ve tried everything—cleansing regularly, a selection of zit creams, tea trea oil. Some bad guys respond to my efforts and beat a hasty retreat, while others like to stick around. Sometimes for a week. And they are noticeable (especially when they’re right on the tip of my nose, Hello Rudolph).

Brazen Loves: Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Spot TreatmentI’m at a loss. I don’t really wear foundation, and since it’s summer, I want to go bare-skinned, not spackle on a coating of concealer and god knows what else. Since I’ve never been plagued by this obvious skin condition before—I have a host of others, don’t even get me started— I had no idea how to manage pimples, or even if it was possible to get rid of them quickly.

But then… a miracle landed on my doorstep in the form of a smart device from Neutrogena. It looks like a little pen, but the Light Therapy Acne Spot Treatment is actually a magic wand that banishes pimples—sometimes after one use, others after just a few applications. I know I’m prone to exaggeration, but that’s not the case here. This thing is a miracle, and Neutrogena are a bunch of zit wizards.

WHAT IS NEUTROGENA LIGHT THERAPY? 

The Light Therapy Acne Spot Treatment is an on-the-go clinically proven treatment for mild to moderate inflammatory breakouts that delivers a targeted dose of red and blue light to the source of the breakout.

Brazen Loves: Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Spot TreatmentHOW IT WORKS

Not that we’re even questioning the technology, since it actually does the trick and we’re happy to just use it. But there is some science behind the light therapy acne spot treatment, so we may as well understand it.

In short, the pen uses two colours of light to treat pimples differently, combatting two of the major factors that contribute to acne.

Blue Light targets P.acnes, the bacteria that’s one of the main causes of acne. This bacteria has a hidden weakness: it contains molecules called porphyrins that are sensitive to light. When the porphyrins absorb the wavelength of blue light emitted by the mask, they produce free radicals which damage the bacteria’s cell membranes, causing the bacteria to self destruct.

Red Light targets inflammation, the root cause of acne that leads to redness and swelling. Red light works to disrupt this vicious cycle by reducing the inflammation, and has been shown in vitro to reduce hyperkeratinization, a pore clogging factor that contributes to acne.

HOW TO USE IT 

Simply press the button to turn the Acne Spot Treatment device on and apply it to the blemish for 2 minutes (the light will turn off when time is up). Recommended treatment is three times a day for two minutes on each spot. Technically, results can be seen in just two days, but I’ve actually seen results on the same day.

WHY WE LOVE IT

Well…duh. Because it gets rid of our zits fast, no fuss, no mess. The device is easy to use and extremely effective. We can’t live without it, and neither should you.

Want to try one for yourself? Head over to our Instagram and enter to win your very own Neutrogena Acne Spot Treatment device. Click here to enter! AND THERE’S A BONUS. Got more acne than the pen can handle? You’ll win a Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Mask too!

Buy your own Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Spot Treatment wherever Neutrogena products are sold (national food, drug and mass merchandisers). The Light Therapy Acne Spot treatment device retails for $31.99-$34.99 and the Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Mask sells for $45.99-$49.99.

 

 

We were provided with a device for our personal use. As part of our editorial policy we only feature products and services that we actually love. Not all products provided for editorial consideration become Brazen Loves features. 

About the author

Mara Shapiro

Mara Shapiro is Co-Editor, Community of BrazenWoman. She is proof that it's never too late to reinvent yourself, and also that you cannot have too many pairs of shoes and lipglosses. A Social Media addict, Community Manager, and insatiable lover of movie popcorn, Mara is always on the hunt for the next best thing. You'll often find her laughing and dancing, phone in one hand, and a glass of red in the other. The only time she's not talking is when she's sleeping.

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