I was sent Philosophy Clear Days 30-Day Acne Trial Kit ($38 – $67 value) to try out and it couldn’t have come at a better time. My new-found obsession with hot yoga means that I inevitably breakout with a blemish (or a few), especially right around my period, so I was excited to try out Philosophy’s new products. The kit includes Overnight Repair Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Pads, Fast-Acting Salicylic Acid Acne Spot Treatment, Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment & Moisturizer, and Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Cleanser. I started using all of the products, except for the pads, about three weeks ago twice a day. One of the best things about them is that unlike most salicylic acid products, none of these smell bad and they won’t bleach your towels. As far as I can tell all of the products are odorless with the exception of the cleanser, which has a citrus smell (it’s refreshing!). Further, Clear Days Ahead won’t make your skin dry and flaky – at least not right away. After about two weeks I did begin to notice that my skin was beginning to get a little dry so I stopped using the moisturizer, opting instead to use one from Elizabeth Arden followed by the spot treatment and that got rid of the dryness.

I’ve tried countless acne collections over the years and this one is right up there with Yes to Tomatoes as my favorite. These products really don’t feel like acne products! They don’t tighten or make your face uncomfortable, but at the same time they’re fast-acting especially if you’re treating acne caused by sweat and other seasonal factors like I am (versus, for example, acne caused by chronic stress). There aren’t many products I like enough to buy again, but without a doubt I will be buying – at the very least – the spot treatment, once my sample runs out.