Acne isn’t an easy condition to treat. There may be numerous products available that promise to leave you with pimple-free skin, but, unfortunately, many don’t actually work very well.
Why? Because in order to really treat acne, you need to go with a multifaceted approach. Not only should an effective anti-acne regime clear existing pimples and bacteria, but it should also control oil production, reduce inflammation, and prevent scarring.
That’s a lot to ask for, which is why we were a little apprehensive when we first heard about the Rodan + Fields Unblemish Regimen. So, in order to provide you with the best information possible, we decided to create this Rodan and Fields Unblemish review to see whether or not using Unblemish can really help with adult acne.
Contents
Who is Rodan + Fields?
Have you heard of Proactiv skincare? Rodan and Fields was started by the same two dermatologists back in 2000. The company has changed hands a couple of times since then (Estee Lauder owned it for a few years), but Katie Rodan and Kathy Fields are back in control once again, and business is better than ever. Their clever marketing strategy has helped with this, allowing individuals to sell Rodan and Fields products to friends and family members, although the products are available on the brand’s website too.
Rodan and Fields focuses on performance-led skincare. They offer a variety of different systems and products, each one designed to treat specific skin concerns, from the Reverse Regimen that targets discoloration to the Unblemish Regimen, which treats acne.
What is the Rodan + Fields Unblemish Regimen?
The Rodan + Fields Unblemish regimen consists of four products that are sold both as a kit or individually. The line also includes a face mask that isn’t included in the kit, simply because it isn’t an essential part of this daily four-step routine, but can still bring about an improvement when used a few times a week.
How Do the Unblemish Products Work?
The products are designed to be used as a complete topical acne treatment, meaning that you won’t need to use any other skincare products. Each product in the regimen is clearly labeled with a number, depicting the order in which it should be used.
The Unblemish Refining Acne Wash
When it comes to choosing a cleanser to use as part of your topical acne treatment, sulfur wash products are the way to go. Sulfur works in a similar way to benzoyl peroxide by unclogging the pores and destroying acne-causing bacteria [1], but without the side effects that benzoyl peroxide is infamous for.
In addition to containing colloidal sulfur, this Rodan + Fields cleanser is also formulated with salicylic acid – another ingredient that you definitely want in an acne cleanser. To prevent drying the skin out too much, you’ll also find hyaluronic acid and ceramides in this product.
The Unblemish Clarifying Toner
After using the acne treatment sulfur wash, the next step in the Rodan + Fields Unblemish Regimen is the toner. This one contains glycolic acid – an alpha hydroxy acid that has gentle exfoliating effects, which keeps the pores clear and therefore prevents pimples from forming.
Just like the cleanser, the clarifying toner also contains hyaluronic acid for hydration (oily skin that’s dehydrated will only become oilier as a result), as well as rosemary extract, witch hazel, and green tea extract. Although it consists of some powerful ingredients, those with skin sensitivities could have huge problems with this formula – you may be best off looking for a toner that makes use of azelaic acid instead.
The Unblemish Dual Intensive Acne Treatment
Next up on the list is the Dual Intensive Acne Treatment. This is a pretty unique product – the container features two separate chambers, each one with their own unique solution. The point of this is to keep certain active ingredients apart until the last possible moment, to prevent them from interacting with each other in a negative way.
After mixing a couple of pumps from each chamber in your hand, you’ll have a solution that contains 2.5% active benzoyl peroxide, along with a variety of ceramides, vitamins and plant extracts. While the aloe and chamomile flower extract should help to keep your skin soothed, this is quite a hefty concentration of benzoyl peroxide, to the point where those who have sensitive skin may not be able to tolerate it.
The Unblemish Invisible Matte Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 30
The final step in the Rodan + Fields Unblemish line is the sunscreen. The brand’s SPF 20 products were quite popular a few years ago, so it’s good to see that they’ve upped the ante and gone with something a little stronger, especially since UV rays can seriously exacerbate spots.
This mattifying lotion also contains smart silica, which absorbs excess oil, as well as omega fatty acids and aloe vera to protect and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier. On paper, it’s a great product for oily and combination skin, with both skin types often experiencing breakouts from heavier sunscreen products.
The Unblemish Clarifying Mask
Designed to be used two to three times a week, which is why it isn’t included in the daily kit, this face mask promises to make a significant difference to acne breakouts. 10% of this mask is made up of sulfur, but you’ll also find a variety of botanical extracts infused into this clay-based formula. The clay that they’ve picked is kaolin, which is known for the way in which it absorbs excess oil from the skin.
The Unblemish Power Up Special
If you really want to take your topical acne treatment to the next level, then Rodan + Fields offers a special kit called the Power Up Special. It combines the four products from the Unblemish family with the brand’s Pore Cleansing MD System.
As you know, keeping the pores clear is crucial to preventing breakouts. The Pore Cleansing System consists of a serum that breaks down excess oil, as well as an extraction tool with two specialist tips, one of which is designed specifically for blackheads.
We also did a review on other Rodan and Fields products. Be sure to check it out.
Does the Unblemish Collection Really Work on Acne-Prone Skin?
While all of the extras are great, we’re here to review how the Unblemish Regimen in particular works on adult acne. To find this out, we searched through just about all of the customer reviews out there, to see how the skin looks and feels after both days and months of using these products.
The outcome was definitely interesting – while many noticed an improvement in their acne after they started using R+F products, the difference wasn’t significant enough to convince them to stick around as a lifelong Rodan and Fields fan. Those pimples and dark spots may not have been quite as obvious, especially under makeup, but the products didn’t manage to completely clear acne.
Out of all of the products in the collection, the Dual Intensive Acne Treatment received the best reviews and comments. In terms of the cleanser and toner, these weren’t particularly amazing in any way. As for the sunscreen, it seems to work well at preventing sun damage, but reviews showed that other products also had the exact same results.
The natural ingredients included in these formulas, especially the aloe and flower extracts, were appreciated. However, at the price that they come in at, people expected a little more.
The price of these products really seems to put many off. The high cost means that many people simply can’t afford to use this as a life-long acne treatment (see our best acne treatment here), which is what led to many reviewers making the most of the brand’s 60 day money-back guarantee.
Do the Unblemish Products Have Any Side Effects?
Our review found a couple of side effects that you should be aware of. The first is redness and a tingling sensation, but the brand explains that this is normal – it’s simply your skin adjusting to the medicated ingredients in the products.
You could possibly also experience dryness, since many of these formulas are designed to absorb the oils from the surface of the skin. If this happens, the brand recommends layering a moisturizing lotion over the other products.
FAQs
How long does it take for Unblemish to work?
Although the ingredients in the products start to work pretty much immediately, it will take about 4-6 weeks for you to notice a significant difference in your skin after using the Rodan and Fields Unblemish Regimen. If you have severe adult acne, then it could take up to eight weeks to see an improvement.
Is Rodan and Fields Unblemish the same as Proactiv?
No, Proactiv and Rodan + Fields are different brands, although they were both founded by the same people. They do have many similarities, with both offering acne products making use of the same ingredients, but Proactiv is designed for milder acne and sensitive skin, while Rodan + Fields can treat pimples deeper in the skin too.
Does Unblemish help with hormonal acne?
Many of the ingredients in the Unblemish family, such as glycolic acid, green tea extract, and aloe vera, can help to calm a hormonal acne breakout. However, you’ll definitely experience better results if you speak to your doctor about using a treatment or medication that’s specific to hormonal acne too.
Rodan and Fields Unblemish Review Conclusion – Are Unblemish Products Worth Buying?
When it comes down to it, the Rodan and Fields acne products do work, but they don’t seem to be any better than many of the lower-cost acne treatments out there. They do make a difference in terms of the severity of a breakout, but won’t leave you totally acne-free. Unfortunately, if you were hoping for a clear face, you’ll still need to turn to makeup for help.
While many of the ingredients, such as glycolic acid and benzoyl peroxide, in the Rodan and Fields Unblemish Regimen have been scientifically-proven to help clear pimples, these ingredients aren’t anything revolutionary. Neither are the botanicals that they have chosen – green tea extract and chamomile flower extract are all pretty common. You’ll find them in so many other acne treatments too, and they won’t be accompanied by such a high price tag.
One example would be the acne treatments from Exposed Skincare. Each of their products contains multiple active ingredients, and, in addition to offering similar formulas to Rodan and Fields, they also make use of other proven acne-fighters, such as azelaic acid [2]. If you would like to know more about how Exposed Skincare could potentially have you on your way to pimple-free skin, even faster than what you would have achieved by using Rodan and Fields products, check out the official Exposed Skincare website here.
References
[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15303787/
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1712709/
