Update: La Roche Posay Effaclar - Anti Blemish System

You may recall I reviewed the new La Roche-Posay Effaclar Anti-Blemish System* back in September.  I'd been using the set for around 6 weeks at that point.  My results hadn't been overly good by then, but I felt at least 12 weeks were required before making final judgements.  I've now completed my trial and this is a little update as to how I got on.  Just to remind you, I was solely using these products, wearing no makeup and applying nothing else to my face other than lip-balm and eye cream/gel, for the fairest possible test conditions.  The box contains 'up to 6 weeks' supply and I did have to purchase another moisturiser around week 9.  I still have a little toner left and a little bit (less than the toner) of the cleanser, so for value for money I think it's great.    

I mentioned in that post, the drying effect of using these and that continued.  The skin under my eyebrows was and still is flaking badly and I began to suffer from dry, red patches on my eyelids.  I can't say I noticed it elsewhere, but had to start applying Vaseline to the affected areas.  Around week 7 or 8 I thought I'd had a little breakthrough and this was me on the road to clear skin (!) but alas it was short-lived.  Just when you thought things were looking up, another cluster of 5 or 6 spots would pop up.  This was to become the pattern for several weeks.  They weren't particularly big and seemed to have a short life, but left red marks (I still have red marks from 12 weeks ago when I began the trial).  My chin and lower cheeks were where the majority of the spots appeared.  I did get one on my forehead, one on my neck and one at the side of my eye (places I don't usually breakout) and by this point I was ready to give-in and use something else.  I've been lucky in that I've not had to leave the house much, however I did have physio twice and it's not pleasant to have to leave the house with bad skin and no makeup.  I hate it.  I was annoyed and disappointed.  I just couldn't understand how it apparently works for other people but not me.  Are my expectations too high?  The box does guarantee "clearer skin" and I didn't feel I achieved that. 
This was me a few days ago.  I know the picture quality isn't that great, I literally snapped it before going to bed (on the last day of the trial), but there's no editing or filter, other than to lighten them (because they were quite dark).  I had a massive crusty spot on my chin and little spots in clusters on both sides of my chin.  I would say the photo isn't as bad looking as it was in real life.  For me this isn't clearer skin and if I'm honest, I was glad to see the back of the trial.  I really dislike writing bad reviews, it's never a nice thing to do, but I hope you'll respect my honesty.  In view of all things fair, it's getting rave write-ups on Boots and I really do know people who swear by LRP and the Effaclar products.  I'm not sure what to take from it...my skin is a nightmare and extremely fussy?  From a scientific point of view it should've worked and that's what I can't understand.  I usually lay blame elsewhere, but because these were the only products I applied, I couldn't do that.  

The thing I did like, was the scent.  I don't know if I big upped it enough in the original review, but it's really soft and lovely.  I think it's great value for three products and also good that they last as long as they do.  I love the no-fuss, simplicity of it all.  My skin did feel cleaner with no build-up (I usually get that around my nose).  I loved the lather on the cleanser and if it weren't so drying, I'd use it all the time, because it's otherwise fantastic.  The moisturiser feels completely weightless and non-greasy/sticky, but I didn't find it hydrating enough.  The toner really 'cleaned' my skin but I don't really have anything else to say about it.  As for blemishes, I didn't notice an improvement in how many and how often I got them.  If anything I suffered more breakouts than usual and I'm therefore glad to be back to using other products (that big crusty on my chin has all but gone in the last few days).  Tell me I'm not too fussy, am I?  Can someone say this really works for them to even things out? Let me know below.

You can find the set here in Boots for £32.50 and currently on a double points offer.

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