I don't know why it's so hard to just find a 2% BHA lotion/cream/any type of leave on medication. I was using stridex until I realized they had menthol (a skin irritant) so I stopped using them but then I read about this nice little product in Paula's book. I have noticed that I get less bumps/clogged pores since I started using this (I've been using it for a little over a month). I see that in some reviews some complain about it being overly drying-- can't speak to that since I use a moisturizer afterwards but I *think* my skin feels less oily during the day but I've added/exchanged other products with this one so I can't say which is what. In any case, I know it's helping my skin. It also has a lot of great ingredients for the skin like antioxidants. And it smells nice too and feels nice and cool when I apply it to my skin. It doesn't sting me but I've been using chemical exfoliants for awhile, you have to get used to it. If anyone finds it too drying, a simple moisturizer should fix that but it has so many great properties so it's definitely a keeper!

And a note about the difference between salicylic acid and benzyl peroxide. You can't compare the two as they battle acne in two different ways. SA is as chemical exfoliant that cleans INSIDE your pores and it has mild antibacterial properties. Benzyl is primarily an antibacterial agent (don't forget that acne is a combination of clogged pores and bacteria festering inside). So if you have an inflamed pimple, SA alone is likely NOT going to fix that instantly like benzyl. However,SA is more likely to getting pimples "before they start" and work better in the long run as they kill the acne process. Just to clear that up for some people (pun intended, hehe).

And yes I know I spelled benzoyl wrong-- don't have time to look it up now.

I tried this over a year ago, and it did help to clear up some acne. I used my bottle up, and then found other miracle products. My sister had a full bottle of this left (she has a lot of acne, and this did nothing for her) my skin is pretty clear, but also very dry, and this is moisturizing so i used this. It makes my skin really smooth and just look slightly better after I use this. This didn't break me out, which is good, but i am not sure how it does for acne. The main reason i use it is for moisture! It really works well (i also follow up with a 'real' moisturizer but i could just use this stress control alone it works perfect)

I've been using this for about a month so I feel I can now accurately review it. I really, really like it. I have fairly dry, acne-prone skin so it is hard for me to find things for my face that don't dry me out but still work on acne. This works well for that. I use it every night and it keeps my skin clear but it is moisturizing enough that I don't need a separate moisturizer on top. (I use an SPF moisturizer in the morning.) I also use the Acne Stress Control scrub and like that a lot too. I will keep buying this line.

Like many others here, I have suffered with acne all through my 20's (misery), have tried SO many things, and have had little success.
At first when I tried this, I thought it was a miracle since it cleared up the little bumps all along my fore head that I have had for ages, but that was back in Sept and now a few months later, I feel it doesn;t do much anymore and also is making my skin feel dry and flaking.
So overall impression- good for very short-term, not for long-term use

This is a great treatment/makeup primer. It mattifies and does help slightly with my clogged pores. Pretty cheap. Not a life changer but it is multi-purpose product.

Great alternative to Paula's Choice BHA products which I found to be too harsh for my skin. I use this alternately with Neutrogena's Rapid Clear Acne Defense Lotion, depending on the needs of my skin that day. I find these products are effective, and more gentle than PC's offerings. However, I may go back to using one of PC's products on a once or twice a month basis. Thank you, Paula, for leading me to these fine Neutrogena products! YOU are the best!

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: For the treatment of acne. Ultra light, non-pore clogging formula works 3 ways for clearer, ultra-soft skin. Skin-soothers: unique formula with calming ingredients, including green tea and cucumber extracts helps soothe skin made sensitive by acne.
• Treats acne pimples and allows skin to heal
• Helps prevent new acne pimples even before they emerge
• Hydrates & softens

Directions: Cleanse the skin thoroughly before applying medication. Cover the entire affected area with a thin layer one to three times daily or as directed by a health care practitioner.

Warnings: For external use only. Using other topical acne products at the same time or following use of this product may increase skin dryness/irritation. If this occurs, only one product should be used. Avoid contact with eyes. If contact occurs, rinse with water. Discontinue use if excessive skin irritation develops or increases. If irritation persists, consult a health care practitioner.

MY THOUGHTS: I purchased a 59 mL tube of Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control 3-in-1 Hydrating Acne Treatment from Wal-Mart for $8.96 CAD ($7.79 CAD at RCSS, 6/7/11). The tinted green lotion is packaged in a transparent tube with a white screw cap, and has a slight hair dye/conditioner aroma.

The lotion is more moisturizing than any other OTC acne treatment I've used in the past (benzoyl peroxide, aspirin mask, tea tree oil); however, depending on your skin's sensitivity you may experience slight burning after five minutes (similar to a pavement scrape). Fortunately, if applied conservatively and depending on your sebaceous glands, this product leaves your skin feeling matte and hydrated.

Fortunately, my sensitive skin is able to tolerate BHA (2% salicylic acid) better than any AHA product. I used this product for roughly two weeks when I noticed a difference in my skin (i.e. forehead and chin). Paula Begoun rates this product as excellent (Paula's Pick!) due to the optimum pH level (3.4) and incorporation of antioxidants and anti-irritants (i.e. no menthol). Unfortunately, it still contains fragrance and colouring agents. This would make a great alternative to those that use Paula's Choice BHA products.

MEDICINAL INGREDIENTS: Salicylic Acid 2%

NON-MEDICINAL INGREDIENTS: Benzalkonium Chloride, Blue 1, Butylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Ceteth-20, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Lactate, Cocamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Green 5, Laureth-23, Laureth-4, Panthenol, Parfum, PEG-75 Stearate, PEG-8, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Potassium Hydroxide, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Polyacrylate, Steareth-20, Trideceth-6, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Water (eau), Yellow 5.

MYSELF: I'm an Euro-Canadian with combination and sensitive skin that is prone to clogged pores (Baumann skin type: OSPW). continued >>

I don't know why I keep giving Neutrogena a chance after almost all of their products keep breaking me out. I picked this up at Wally World and looking at the ingredients, I decided to give it a chance because it contains some good ingredients that sounds like it will keep my acne under control like salicylic acid, a form of niacin, etc. Well after using this for about two months, I finally trashed this worthless product. It does nothing for acne, well the one I suffer from and it seems that it made my skin worse. I am beginning to think that the soy sterols or any other form of soy has contaminated this batch or they don't care to rinse the equipment well enough to prevent contamination. Oh well I learn my lesson, Neutrogena is not for my skin since I cannot tolerate soy on my skin.

i am really glad i started using this acne treatment. this product goes such a long way to clearing my breakouts. this product really helps eliminating some of those bumps on chin and forehead. it's easy to use and it does feel comfortable and pleasant on your skin overnight or under makeup. i think this would work for all or most skin types. especially useful at improving overall clarity in my skin, and texture.

When I first tried this product I noticed a difference right away and it wasn't drying like many other things I had tried. I have acne-prone/combo/oily skin, whiteheads, and cycstic acne on my chin. I do not react well to benzol peroxide products (they dry my skin too much) so I tried this for the salisylic acid content. However, after a few months I felt like it wasn't working anymore. I put on more but that just dried out my skin too much and the acne wasn't better. So it's worth a short try.