Linda Sy • Acne Oil Control Gel • Treatments

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*TOP REVIEWER* Livn2large on 10/4/2007 4:07:00 PM more reviews by Livn2large

Age: 44-55   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

For starters, I have adult acne, rosacea and insanely sensitive skin. I use a retinoid, but still have persistent blackheads that won't budge. I started using Linda Sy Acne Oil Control Gel (2% salicylic acid) almost three years ago to help dislodge the blackheads. Over time I have been persuaded to try other brands/formulas, including Paula's Choice, Neutrogena, Bye Bye Blemish and others. I always come back to this formula.

The AOCG is a medium-weight gel that easily spreads over affected areas with the fingertips. The 2 oz. bottle lasts for what seems like forever, even with frequent usage. Even though the gel has an alcohol base, the gel has never dried me out nor caused me to peel -- unlike some other BHA formulas. It does sting a little upon application, but I think that it largely affects my rosacea this way. It never has led to a flare, despite the initial discomfort.

Those who have difficult with the PC formulas really should give this one a try.

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as8566 on 8/22/2007 2:36:00 PM more reviews by as8566

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

Good BHA product. It has alcohol in it, but it strangely doesn't dry our the skin.

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lafrancaise on 12/23/2006 11:26:00 PM more reviews by lafrancaise

Age: Unknown   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

Why, oh why did I use it? I have used several other Linda Sy products and thought I'd try this one after reading the great reviews. I have oily, acne-prone skin and currently use Diacneal at night, various oil-free moisturizers/sunscreens during the day. I decided to add this to my regimen and my skin broke out horribly. Small pimples around nose, on forehead, lip and chin. I stopped using it immediately and a week later, it seems to have calmed down. I'm thinking the moisturizing component in this must have caused the reaction because I've used other salicylic acid formulas in the past without reaction. I wish I could use it as I love the texture, but it's not meant to be.

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TM911 on 7/7/2005 1:42:00 PM more reviews by TM911

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

In my quest for an alternative to the PC 2% BHA I have been using for years (and has suddenly, abruptly, stopped working), I noticed Livn2Large and BarbiH's rave reviews for this AOCG. Not too long ago, I ordered some Linda Sy samples from her site...I dug 'em out and lo and behold, I had ordered this wonderful potion! Upon opening it, I was taken aback by the alcohol-y aroma. It applies and dries quickly, settling into the skin with no shine and a definite alcohol buzz (which I twistedly love, LOL!) After 2 days, my pores are unclogged, my skin is looking happier than it has in a long time, and I'm having high hopes that this will be the one! A quick note: I apply this, let it dry and set for a few minutes, then apply sunscreen over it. The excess gel tends to ball up, but I found that if I let the sunscreen dry, the balls easily dust off. This is a small price to pay for such an effective product!

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PhDGrrl on 4/5/2005 9:21:00 PM more reviews by PhDGrrl

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I am 34 with stubborn adult acne, especially hormonal acne on the jawline. Holy crow - I am so impressed by this product. Yes it smells like alcohol etc etc, but anyone who is desperate to see change by the next morning - this product is for you. Today I got a blemish/whitehead type growing on my cheek. I applied this and within a few hours it was flat. I avoided a big breakout. I am using the sample right now - not sure if I can afford the full size. If you can afford it - what are u waiting for??? buy it! (and send me some) haha.

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ballarat on 12/2/2004 6:15:00 AM more reviews by ballarat

Age: 25-29   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I received this as a sample with Green Cream and liked it so much that I bought a full sized bottle.
True, there´s so much alcohol in this that you can smell it and stings on application, but far from being drying I actually find it moisturising, my skin feels really soft after applying. And it works great at keeping hormonal breakouts at bay plus it´s got minimal ingredients, just stuff that works

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southerngirlhottytoddy on 10/9/2004 12:55:00 PM more reviews by southerngirlhottytoddy

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

i bought this as a sample. first let me say how great the customer service is at Linda Sy. They are very friendly and have the fastest shipping ever.(I have ordered twice from them and have had the product within 1-2 days!) This product is highly concentrated with alcohol - yet it wasn't too irritating for my skin! I used it along my chin & jawline for spots that just wouldn't clear up with anything else - this definitely cleared the areas up!

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*TOP REVIEWER* Surreptitious on 10/6/2004 8:56:00 AM more reviews by Surreptitious

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

I used this for not quite three months, thinking that this would work even better than my usual Oxy Maximum Cleansing Pads at keeping my pores looking fine and preventing breakouts. While this did not cause me any breakouts- my pores did not look as refined as they look while using the Oxy pads.

Linda Sy has great customer service, samples, and super fast shipping.

I have combination, thirty-four year old skin.

Active Ingredient: 2% Salicylic Acid. Also contains SD Alcohol 40B (86.5%).

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ddelerium on 9/25/2004 7:34:00 PM more reviews by ddelerium

Age: 19-24   Skin: Other, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I bought the samples for this from Linda Sy. And this stuff is really great. I know it has a ton of alcohol (you can smell it) but it doesn't make my skin break out into an itch during the day like Pro-Active. And I see the results right away. I have some whitehead issues as well as some pimples on the side of my cheeks, and this seems to clear it up. This does sting your face..holy cow, does it ever. But you get used to it. And the smell is a bit strong, kinda like burnt rubber, but it fades. And it doesn't seem to leave my skin dry, not yet anyways, so I am very happy with this and will continue.

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*TOP REVIEWER* autumn95 on 7/6/2004 7:26:00 PM more reviews by autumn95

Age: 36-43   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

I had ordered a bunch of samples including GC. This one I saw results right away. I have been having a flare up with whiteheads; almost a red rash along my chin and jawline. I used this AOCG every PM and the breakouts were much less.

I was using it every night at first and found it too drying. I am continuing to use this every other night.

My skin type is oily/acne prone but sensitive.

Oct 2004 ordered full size & still am using on a regular basis.

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locutus137 on 6/25/2004 7:31:00 PM more reviews by locutus137

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

Whew! This burns like a mo-fo. But, it burns in a good way that makes you feel like it's working, not the itchy way that makes you want to scratch your face off. It does work and I use this almost exclusively on my chin. (My skin is Combo/Oily/Acne-Prone/NOT sensitive)

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hajime on 4/20/2004 2:29:00 PM more reviews by hajime

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I bought a sample of this along with a sample of ZincO (untinted) in my first foray into Linda Sy products. I'd been more interested in the ZincO at first because I really needed to find a good physical sunscreen that doesn't irritate my skin (clogs really really easily)... but I actually ended up using up the acne oil control gel first!

I have this patch of kind of rougher skin on my chin- always get pimples there, and even when they go away, the area is still red and just kid of tough.. well, this stuff helped with my breakouts there, and also made the skin softer/calmer. Very cool.

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Sleeky on 4/18/2004 11:35:00 PM more reviews by Sleeky

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

This is alcohol-based, which is way too irritating for already inflammed, broken out skin, and major trouble for anyone with rosacea

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barbiH on 10/19/2003 1:24:00 PM more reviews by barbiH

Age: Unknown   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond, Wavy   Eyes: Blue    

Linda Sy Acne Oil Control Gel contains 2% salicylic acid & SD Alcohol 40B in a moisturizing gel. The alcohol delivery allows for the BHA to penetrate deeper into the pore plus it eliminates the need for adding a preservative. This is definitely an option for someone w/ oily, non-sensitive skin.

I have sensitive skin but will continue to use this on my chin, my problem area, and to spot treat. I've been experimenting by putting some on a sebaceous hyperplasia near my hairline and it's almost completely gone. I don't think I need to have it burned off after all. That's proof to me that it's pretty powerful stuff.

If you're interested, it's best to purchase a sample for $2 from lindasy.com. UPDATE (04/11/04): I've gone back to using this every other night, alternating evenings w/ Green cream. Before when I tried it, I was using it too frequently (daily) but Dr. Sy suggested that I try this. I think it's wonderful that we all have access to a wonderful derm. like her via email. And some of her products are truly excellent. Rave from me. :) UPDATE(Dec 2004) Still absolutely love this stuff!!! I've also included Dr. Sy's comments regarding pH: With re to
> the pH, we do not do a pH reading on a product like AOCG because this
> formulation contains no water, which is necessary for an accurate pH
> reading. If we add water, then make a pH reading, it will not be accurate.
>
> AOCG is an unusual product because it contains 2% salicylic acid in a base
> that contains alcohol (normally harsh on skin) and a moisturizing gel
> polymer base. Nothing else. The alcohol serves as a product preservative
> and
> skin antiseptic that immediately evaporates after contact with skin. This
> leaves the SA on skin doing its job as an anti-inflammatory agent (vs.
> acne
> and sebum) and mild exfoliant. The moisturizing gel also is left on skin
> leaving a silky feel. Therefore, in spite of the alcohol, this product is
> actually moisturizing!

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