Zula Team Tries: Kiehl’s Blemish Clearing Solution
Growing up and going through puberty, hormonal changes also meant the terrifying ordeal of visible changes to our skin — like acne. Most of us can relate to having occasional breakouts that make us feel insecure, especially when our itchy fingers can’t help but pop them, resulting in scarring.
For some of us, these stubborn pimples have even followed us all the way into adulthood. And the last thing we need is big and red pimples continuing to haunt us after so many years, on top of the stress of adulting.
With these skin concerns in mind, my colleagues and I were introduced to the viral Kiehl’s Truly Targeted Blemish-Clearing Solution. While many of us are used to typical pimple patches that peel off a sheet, this product claims to be an invisible liquid patch that creates a breathable seal to calm our pimples.
According to Kiehl’s, this magical blemish clearing solution can effectively calm pimple colour in just two hours and reduce pimple sizes in 24 hours. To put this claim to the test, I asked four colleagues who are struggling with acne to trial the product and find out if it really reduces pimples in the stated time frame.
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1. Paula
Current skin conditions and concerns
“My skin type is combination, and my skin concerns are usually acne, clogged pores and getting new pimples whenever I’m stressed or when I’m on my period.
I’ve never used any of Kiehl’s products before, but I often hear of people raving about them working like a miracle, so I was very excited to do this trial.”
Day 1: First impressions
“When I first put the product on my pimples, it went on smoothly and dried fast. It honestly didn’t even feel like the product was on my face! Plus, the bottle is small and chic, perfect for taking it out with me anywhere.
I hope that it’ll be able to calm my pimples as well as reduce its size by the end of the trial.”
2 hours: Midpoint check-in
“Two hours in, I noticed that the redness on my face has already lessened. Even without wearing makeup, it isn’t very obvious that I have pimples on my face.
I went on to wear my makeup over it, and even after 10 hours, the areas where I used the product didn’t even clump. I’m hoping that my pimples will continue to lighten over the next 24 hours.”
Day 2: Final thoughts
Before (left) vs after 24 hours (right) with calmer and less red pimples
“Most of the changes occurred after 24 hours — my pimples have become calmer, smaller and less red. Initially, I was a little sceptical about the product, as I’ve tried many different skincare products and they don’t really live up to their claims.
But Kiehl’s Blemish-Clearing Solution felt like a miracle invisible patch. I think it will really come in handy for those who have an important event to go to the next day and want immediate results. Since it takes only two minutes to dry, it’s easy to incorporate into my skincare routine.”
2. Jou Teng
Current skin conditions and concerns
“I have a combination skin type. Since my teenage days, I’ve been troubled by acne. While my skin condition has definitely improved, I still suffer from occasional acne in adulthood.
I’m a big fan of Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream but I have never tried their products that target acne, so I’m looking forward to reducing my pimples by the end of this trial.”
Day 1: First impressions
“I was surprised by how watery the product was when I first used it. I’ve tried pimple solutions from other brands and they usually come in a gel-like consistency, so this was new and unique for me. The dropper also allowed for accurate application directly onto my pimples.
I was also impressed by how I only needed one drop to cover a few pimples. It also didn’t sting when I applied it to my face, which was a huge plus point.”
2 hours: Midpoint check-in
“One particular pimple near my mouth started to show that the pus was getting pulled out. It was interesting, because I never knew that it could happen with a liquid pimple patch.
Initially, I wasn’t expecting to see any visible results, because my other products take at least two days to take effect. But my pimple size did become smaller and less red within just two hours.”
Day 2: Final thoughts
Before (left) vs after 24 hours (right) with minimised pimples
“I definitely prefer this product over the usual pimple patches because they are less obvious and you can apply makeup over it. Compared to pimple patches which come in fixed sizes, you get to decide on the amount of solution you want to apply. It makes it much more convenient and easy to use.
I wouldn’t say that my skin experienced a drastic change in 24 hours, but the product did minimise my pimples, which already exceeded my expectations. I’m sure that I will continue to use it over the next few days to see further results.”
3. Qian Yi
Current skin conditions and concerns
“I have combination skin, with my T-zone being extra oily as compared to the rest of my face. I get hormonal acne often, where my chin and nose tend to get clogged and flare up. I don’t think I’ve ever not had pimples on my face, which makes me feel insecure sometimes.”
Day 1: First impressions
“One drop goes a long way to cover a pimple. This made me realise that I’ll be able to make use of this 15ml bottle for a very long time. I was quite impressed that it dried after just 2 minutes of applying and I didn’t feel it there anymore.
Right after using it, I was hoping that my pimple will be able to heal well without being affected by makeup or external elements such as dust and dirt.”
2 hours: Midpoint check-in
“Before using the product, I had a pimple that was red and aching. In around 30 minutes, I didn’t feel like it was aching as much anymore. Two hours in, another pimple ripened, and I was able to remove the pus cleanly.
My skin also felt smoother and more radiant. Since my pimples were starting to come out cleanly, I was keeping my fingers crossed that they would become smaller after 24 hours.”
Day 2: Final thoughts
Before (left) vs after 24 hours (right) with ripened pimples that have become easy to clean
“At the end of the trial, the biggest change was that my pimples ripened faster than usual, making it easy for the sebum to come out. Just by looking at the ingredients the product contains, such as niacinamide and salicylic acid, these are targeted to resolve problem areas on the skin.
As I experience quite a bit of acne, I feel that I will have to use the product a bit longer to continue seeing results. It seems like a good and easy way to remove the pus from my pimples well and have it heal in peace.”
4. Diandra
Current skin conditions and concerns
“With combination skin, my nose and forehead is especially oily, whereas my cheeks are on the drier side. I would say that I have acne-prone skin, especially if I wear my makeup a little too long.
It’s pretty common for me to always experience pimples here and there, but I often get stubborn pimples on my nose that are persistent and hard to control.”
Day 1: First impressions
“I don’t like wearing pimple patches as they are very visible, whether with a bare face or when I put makeup on, adding to my insecurities. So when I found out this product exists, I had to try it. I liked how invisible it was when I applied it to my face. The product is also non-sticky, very smooth to apply, and created a breathable seal for my skin.
Since I have new pimples, I hope the product can help to calm and reduce their size.”
2 hours: Midpoint check-in
“Compared to two hours ago, I can see that the pimples around my cheeks are less visible now — it’s making my skin look brighter too. Although the large pimple on my nose is still reddish, I’m optimistic that this product can help to calm them down within 24 hours.”
Day 2: Final thoughts
Before (left) vs after 24 hours (right) with brighter and smoother skin
“After a day, most of my pimples have calmed and are already starting to heal, especially the ones around my forehead and cheeks. I also feel that my skin looks brighter and smoother, with the size and redness of the pimples on my nose calmer as well.
Compared to standard pimple patches, this product is easy to use, gentle, and invisible. These are very important qualities to me since I use makeup daily.”
We Tried Kiehl’s Truly Targeted Blemish-Clearing Solution To Reduce Pimples Within 24 Hours
There are many causes of acne in adulthood — stress, hormones and even our diet. But it’s never too late to find out which products work the best to treat acne, so you can achieve clear skin and boost your everyday confidence.
After trying Kiehl’s Truly Targeted Blemish-Clearing Solution, these four girls have produced immediate results with visibly reduced pimple size, colour and marks.
Kiehl’s new invisible liquid pimple patch is made with 2% Salicylic Acid, which FYI, is specially formulated to help reduce pimples and post-blemish marks. We advised the girls to continue using the product for the next four weeks, as with longer use, it can visibly correct marks.
Some may be wondering — exactly which part of your skincare routine should you incorporate this liquid patch? As most pimple patches are left onto your skin throughout the day, the utility for this one is no different. After finishing up your morning routine, use this as the very last step, as it creates a breathable seal that can be layered under both sunscreen and makeup.
For those who would like to test out the benefits of the liquid pimple patch first, without committing to a whole bottle, we’ve gotchu. You can now head over to Kiehl’s website to claim a 10-piece blemish-clearing sampling kit to try out this 24-hour trial yourself.
Apart from sample sizes of the liquid pimple patch, the kit also contains Kiehl’s classic favourites such as the Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash and Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream — freebies that skincare junkies certainly can’t miss out on.
Redeem Kiehl’s 10-piece sampling kit here!
This post was brought to you by Kiehl’s.
Photography by Ally Siew.
