While IS Clinical Active Serum has really helped my skin (better texture, less redness, fewer blemishes), it is powerless against the cystic acne that I get when I’m pre-menstrual.  Such was the case last week when I developed a deep, deep blemish under my eye that was so painful, I actually had to take Tylenol to alleviate the throbbing. 

Deeply concerned about this unexpected eruption would rear it’s ugly head (ah, puns) during my family reunion, I decided to take immediate action.  Luckily, I already had a box of AcneFree 1 Hour Pimple Patches ($15) at my disposal.

The directions were simple enough, apply the benzoyl peroxide cream to the center of the patch.  Place the patch on the inflamed area for one hour.  Then, remove the patch and rub in any remaining gel. 

In fact, the directions were so simple that I wondered what the gimmick was.  Why did such a simple product cost $15 for four patches?  What was so damn special about this patches?  Confused, I went to the enclosed brochure for answers.

The verdict: The patch has a small circuit running through it that is charged like a battery.  It activates when it’s removed from the tin foil wrapper, and micro-pulses the skin for an hour.  The product alleges that the micro-pulsing helps the product penetrate into the skin more effectively.

I was incredibly skeptical.  And when I removed the patch at the end of the hour to see the pimple still there, throbbing away, my skepticism was seemingly validated.  Or so I thought.

Two days later, almost as quickly as the cyst appeared, it was gone.  That’s right gone. No lingering swelling.  No redness.  No scab.  Just gone.

Now, if you’ve never had cystic acne, you don’t know that sometimes, the blemishes can last for years.  That’s right, years.  As in, in 2007, a pimple formed under my left eye.  In 2009, a dermatologist surgically removed it. 

Yeah, these bitches are tough.

So the idea that a product could pulse away one of these deep, painful cysts in less than 72 hours is amazing to me.  I immediately went to CVS and bought four more boxes.  Not a cheap purchase, but a worthwhile investment.

These patches are not for the occasional blemish.  These patches are those entrenched, hateful pimples that threaten to ruin your skin and your self-esteem.  So if you get those upon occasion, I highly recommend this product because I still cannot believe that it worked, but I’m completely convinced of it’s awesomeness