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DHC Care - Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment System Review

DHC recently launched a Salicyclic Acid Acne Treatment System that includes a Salicylic Acne Wash ($13.00), Salicylic Acne Toner ($14.00), Salicyclic Face Milk ($19.00), and Acne Spot Therapy ($12.00). The wash is a non-drying cleansing gel that foams to gently exfoliate, while calming skin with aloe vera and green tea. I find that it’s fairly gentle, despite being an active acne-fighting product, so my eyes handle it well if any gets in them on accident. The toner works well for those who are oilier, but I found myself skipping this part of the four-step routine when I was pressed for time (that’s probably a big oops, right?) because I felt like I didn’t need it. The Face Milk is a lightweight moisturizer that is  targeted to help reduce acne because of the salicyclic acid in it, but it ensures hydrated skin while doing so. Out of the system, I think one of my favorite products was the Spot Therapy, because I felt like it did help to minimize redness caused by new blemishes in a short amount of time. Many acne-fighting products tend to dry out skin, which is why I liked the DHC system, because they recognize that and make sure to infuse their products with hydrating ingredients to give skin the balance it needs while breaking down blemishes.

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Mikella Avatar

I’ve noticed before that when you’ve tried products, you skipped the “toner” step they sent you… that is basically the most important part of the whole system. That is what is going to clear your skin (bc salicylic acid is LEFT on your face) and remove everything the cleanser does not (like oil, dirt, makeup, or remaining cleanser itself). I think the results you get from products you’re given would be much more accurate if you used them correctly, and your reviews would benefit.. bc if I heard some product worked GREAT, I’d want it LOL 🙂 Thanks for bringing my attention to these products, they don’t sell them around here, but I’ll check them out online.. there’s such a need for salicylic based products that are formulated correctly (and hopefully these are). So thanks, I’ll check them out!

Christine Avatar

Hey Mikella! I tend to skip toners because they actually cause dry patches on my skin, which seems pointless to endure – I’d rather have the acne than dry, flaky patches!

I’ll use the toner in the system, and two nights later, I have to moisturize 4-5x a day in order to look okay enough to go out in public!

sara Avatar

UMMM I AM AN ESTHETICIAN IN TRAINING BASICALLY STILL IN SKOOL WITH MORE THAN 250 HRS TO GO, NE WHO, FROM WHAT IVE LEARNED SALICYLIC IS AN ACID (NATURAL ONE OF THAT) THAT IS USED FOR PEOPLE WITH ACNE PROBLEMS OR ACNE PRONE PEOPLE BUT A WHOLE LINE THAT HAS THAT TYPE OF ACID IN IT IS NOT GOOD BECAUSE AS WE ALL KNOW ACID BURNS OFF THINGS AND IT WILL BURN THE LAYERS OF YOUR SKIN THERFORE YOU WONT HAVE ACNE BUT YOUR FACE WILL BE VERY DEHYDRATED AND DRY AND FLAKY, LIKE THE PRODUCT PROACTIVE ITS A VERY GOOD PRODTUCT AND IM GLAD THEY CAME OUT WITH THE GREEN TEA MOISTURIZER BEACUSE THAT WAY MORE PEOPLE WILL ACTUALLY STICK TO THAT PRODUCT BUT THE KEY INGREDIANT IN PROACTIVE WAS SALICYLIC ACID, SO JUST SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT IF THIS PRODUCT IS GOING TO BE USED JUST HYDRATE YOUR SKIN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE USING ASTRINGENT RATHER THEN TONER OR USE A HYDRATING TONER, AND MOISTURIZE, MOISTURIZE, MOISTURIZE!!!!! NE QUESTIONS FEEL FREE TO ASK

Tammy Avatar

I like this line because it is not drying at all. I do think the face milk is a bit pricey for the amount you get, but that’s just me. 🙂 My favorite is the Spot Therapy, as well.

terrie Avatar

Hi
I LOOOOVE this line. I’m a “mature” lady, age 42. Over the past year, I’ve developed acne. Everything that I have tried was either not strong enough to do anything, or dried my skin out terribly. This is the first product that I’ve found that works well but doesn’t dry my skin out. It also rinses easily.

The spot therapy works better than the prescription I got!

marielena Avatar

I have used salicylic acid on my face because I wanted to remove a few acne scars. The first time I used it, I left it on my skin for 2 minutes, and my skin tolerate it quite well. Then the following week I used salicylic acid again for about 5 minutes, and my skin responded well. My skin at this point became pinkish and started to slightly peel. So the following week I used salicylic acid and left it for 10 minutes. As usual it started to irritate my skin. Once I removed it, my skin was bright red, and very painful. Then my face started to peel and was still red. I am afraid the
redness scarring might be permanent. I think. What do you think? Will the reddness subside? What can I do to make this all disappear?
I look forward to your response.
Thank You!

Christine Avatar

Hi Marielena,

Hm, I don’t think you are supposed to leave it on for ten minutes. It seems like you burned off a layer of your skin — it will peel and repair itself, but it will take time. It is similar to sunburn, so yes, I think the redness will subside. Try some aloe vera on it in the meanwhile!

lisaa Avatar

Hi Marielena,

did you get the red scar to go away? I put salicylic acid on my skin (i have dark skin) and now it is red/pink and i am really worried that it wont go away…

Julie Avatar

I love their spot treatment product. It goes on light and smooth and does not dry up to a white mound on my face. It works quickly and does not irritate or dry my skin.

lisaa Avatar

I have dark skin and i used salicylic acid on it. Now my skin has turned pinkish red and has refused to heal correctly. The red skin takes a glossy form and sometimes looks like it is ready to be peeled but when i peel it i am greeted by the red skin underneath… I s there a way to cure this? the skin around my the ed skin is hyperpigmented and takes a dark color…. I am afraid i may have damaged my skin permanently? Does anybody know if a dermatologist can correct this problem?

Christine Avatar

It may have been the product burned you skin, but it SHOULD heal if you keep it well treated and clean. I definitely advise you to invest in something to help reduce scarring (splitting open Vitamin E pills is a cheap way; Mederma is $$ but works), too. I burned myself with a curling iron once and the skin turned reddish pink, then it turned into a darker color… but then it flaked off.

lisaa Avatar

Hi Christine,

thanks for replying to my comment. I just wanted to ask you how long it took you skin to get back to normal… I am very upset about what i did to my skin(my chest area) and i am really anxious about the whole situation. You know i used the proactive body wash and didnt think it would do that much damage seeing as how it only had 2% salicylic acid but i was wrong! i saw the dermatologist and she said to use “Aquaphor healing ointment” to lessen any scar that may develop… but besides the fact that the dark spots are lightening up a little, i havent seen any improvements and it seems i may have a few scars left behind… i am so scared about that….

Tina Avatar

I use this system and as long as I am religious about it it has helped my skin a lot. Just a word of warning though (since it is not clearly stated on DHCs material) the spot treatment contains sulphur/sulfur which some people may be allergic to.

Cindy Avatar

Thank you for mentioning about spot treatment. I think I was one of them who were allergic to sulphur. This product worked like a charm at the beginning. After 2 weeks or so, my skin started to change and started to itch so bad. Specially, when I used spot treatment at first it was a little bit then it came to the point if I apply this to just one spot, my entire face gets so sensitive and itches. Then all toner, face milk, and acne wash started to do the same thing to my face. So, I stopped using this product for a month or so then I just started to use this back again like a week ago but it does the same thing. But DHC site used to say that they can give you full refund if you are not satisfied with this set on their homepage. Well, that’s a lie even if you bought this set, the 60 day refund policy still applies and mine was about a month after the 60 day. Well, in my opinion they shouldn’t have stated the “full refund” that way, if its refund policy is the same as the other products’ refund policy. I called customer service to see if she can do anything about it since I’ve been a customer for 8 years and this is the first time I wanted to refund anything from them. She was pretty rude to me and didn’t care about losing a customer to other company. So, don’t wait to refund if you don’t like it and don’t even call the customer serive.

Lindie Avatar

Hi all. I’m a 29 year old who really never had zits in high school, but as time has gone on, I have really struggled with keeping my face clear. I have tried so many products (cleansers, spot treatments, lotions, creams, washes and systems) and nothing has worked until this product. My mom got samples with a magazine and gave them to me to use. I was so impressed (mostly with the Spot Therapy) that I bought a trial kit from ebay, which was only like $15.00. I recommend everyone with acne issues to try this product cause it is amazing. I ended up buying the full sized kit,$45.00 but so worth it. I have not had a zit since using DHC’s line. I have had the on starts of a zit, but I used all 4 steps everyday and any signs of a zit are gone within 24 hours. I also didn’t experience any drying of my skin. The Face Milk makes it so soft and not greasy!! Try it. So good

priscella metzler Avatar

I sawthis product(face milk)on the Dr.Oz showand they stated it was used to clean the face of dry skin, somewhat of a scrub. If this is right I will place an order once I have gotten your response. Thank You.

Zelma Avatar

The active ingredient in Proactiv is not salicylic acid, it’s benzoyl peroxide which dries the skin out but causes premature aging (peroxide breaks down the bonds in collagen). I’m commenting on the “food for thought” all-caps comment.

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