Unlisted Brand • Ziana • Treatments

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SleepIsTheCousin on 5/8/2013 1:03:00 AM more reviews by SleepIsTheCousin

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

So I had a horrifying bout of acne these past five months - basically cheeks to temples and chin/mouth. I have always had acne on my forehead. Literally the worst beauty crisis I've ever had. I have great skin everywhere but my face and its incredibly frustrating. Onset and exacerbation was lo and behold caused by my birth control, LOESTRIN. I didn't get bad side effects from Loestrin other than a horrifying face full of acne - but that was obviously enough for me to stop it.

I basically self-treated until going to a Derm finally, and was prescribed Ziana in the PM + Clinda/Benzoyl (basically differin but generic) in the AM. I feel like retinoids are probably good for you if you have oily skin, but if you have dry skin prepare to moisturize! I have severely dehydrated skin (not flaky, just sensitive and clog-prone) and Ziana has really just done nothing for my acne so far. Its clear that this causes "purging" - actually, it made my acne worse - but its not, in any way, making my skin any better.

In fact, I'd say that it is making my skin worse. I have gotten fine wrinkles under my eyes because of this and my temples have become somewhat of a rougher and leathery type of skin. Redness is very clear and my face changed colors.

Yes, I used a good amount and used it everyother night. Yes, I used SPF daily. I'm careful with my skin and chemicals. I just don't think Ziana is the right one for me - and I'm upset. I don't think I can make it through this "purging" period, beacuse its not really purging to me - its more like changing the entire texture of my face.

I absolutely will update soon if anything changes or what my derm says or if I find I have been using it wrong. :/

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*TOP REVIEWER* Chocolatedippedstrawberri on 4/2/2013 3:08:00 PM more reviews by Chocolatedippedstrawberri

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Hazel    

I get cystic acne around my jawline, as well as occasional pimples/clogged pores around my nose area, so I was hoping this would help with it. This did NOTHING for my skin. It didn't dry it out, but it also didn't help with any of my acne. I used this for almost a year about 3-4x a week and my skin is exactly the same. My acne would come and go. There would be times when I'd be completely clear for 3 months, and then bam...I'd get 3 cysts on my face, then I'd be clear, then get more cysts. I don't know what is causing it, but it drives me crazy! I'm off to the derm this week to try Klaron and a different Retin A.

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pmacfisch on 4/2/2013 1:12:00 PM more reviews by pmacfisch

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I'm only giving this product 4 lippies because I've only been using it for a week now but so far I love it! I never write product reviews but from a female that's dealt with acne for years now and have finally found something that works I thought I'd share my thoughts! My derm out me on a benzoyl treatment in the am and a retinol (tetrinoin) in the pm. I did start to see results but the combination made my skin extremely dry. Even after I just went for my check up a week ago I was still having issues. That being said my doc put me on ziana for the combination antibiotic and retinol ingredients. I use it once a day at night. My skin has become noticeably even clearer and less dry!! I'm also using cereve moisturizer for am and the pm one. I would def recommend this to a friend!

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tricia_g_c on 3/23/2013 8:08:00 AM more reviews by tricia_g_c

Age: 36-43   Skin: Very Oily, Neutral   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Use time before reviewing = 3 weeks (nights- Wash face with Phisoderm, use Mia2 with one of the other cleansers below, apply Biacna all over)

In combination with = Mia2 Clarisonic, Aczone (AM), Neutrogena Acne Power Wash and Phisoderm, Boots exfoliating scrub, Simple night cream, Dr. Bronner's Tea Tree Oil or Peppermint soap (wow! that's a lot of product!!!!)

I started using this on March 2 (today is March 23). I'm 42 and I've had problem skin on and off my entire life from mid-teens on. Sometimes my skin is so nice that I get compliments, other times, it's so bad that I want to bury my head in the sand. 6 months ago, I developed small hard bumps under my skin on the lower cheeks and neck. I tried the traditional OTC products and it worked for a bit. However, with colder weather, I've been wearing a scarf (even in the office) and wiping my nose almost all the time which led to massive breakouts on my neck, jawline and around my nose plus lots of clogged pores on my forehead from working out.
Out of desperation, I called my dermatologists office and was able to see her the next day. Even she was shocked at the state of my face. Then she started to talk about hormone levels after the age of 40 and how some women are more sensitive to those changes and I fixated on one thought "MENOPAUSE!!!". We started with topical, the Aczone(AM)-Biacna(PM), treatment as the first step.

Results = Very good, not 100% clear but I'd say 80% to 90%. The routine will attack a pimple trying to turn into something nasty. ie. 3 days ago, I big painful pimple came up in the morning, today it's almost totally gone. It did not get to the point where it developed a whitehead, just dried up and reduced a bit everyday to this point.

Pros = light gel texture, easy to use, do not need much to cover entire face, tube is large enough to last me a few months, no scent that I can detect but I have a poor sense of smell.
Price = I have full coverage via work benefits
Purging Period = I didn't mind this, my skin was already so bad. I was happy that it was getting the nasty out. The small hard plugs were brought to the surface and pop out easily.
Cons = None

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

mdotts on 2/19/2013 9:10:00 PM more reviews by mdotts

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Olive   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

I don't know what everyone is talking about this product drying their skin out. I don't even have to use moisturizer anymore because of this. I can understand people saying it didn't work for them because everyone's skin is different but it definitely worked for me. I recommend it to all my friends and i've never heard anyone say it dries their skin out or that it didn't really work for them.

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JuJeeMD on 2/12/2013 11:18:00 PM more reviews by JuJeeMD

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

I have adult acne, it started when I was 12 and I'm 28 now. Ziana has impressed me, it never really dried me out. They tell you to use a pea sized amount and that is really all you need. Usually that is a huge lie! 1 tube lasted me 2 months. I started seeing major results after using Ziana for 4-5 weeks. The only complaint I have is that the Derm told me to use it in am under my makeup, but it made me super greasy looking. I use it at night now, no big deal. It does make your skin sensitive to light because of the clindamycin in it so be careful, it also made me extremely sensitive to eyebrow waxing!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

atmakeupalley on 2/7/2013 6:39:00 PM more reviews by atmakeupalley

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

Ziana does cure cyst , but take forever. Healing one cyst can take you a month. People said it works great. But not for me...it burns my skin so badly. So if you use it, just dab on the infected area. Make sure not to spread it over uninfected skin. I don't like Ziana. Doesn't cure and prevent my acne...I think I have to live with acne for the rest of my life. Nothing works on my skin... good luck for whoever success with treatment... :)

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design on 2/2/2013 4:16:00 PM more reviews by design

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

My derm prescribed me Ziana for some post blemish hyper pigmentation and to help clear some pores on my cheek bones. I initially went to get a low dose (25 MG) of Spironolactone (which is a miracle worker for hormonal breakouts) but my derm said that Ziana would be helpful in addition. I'm usually not a big fan of prescription skin care, however there are some products that really do work wonders so I decided to give this a shot. I was not impressed with this medication at all. I don't like gels in general as they tend to irritate my skin and this one was no different. I found it to be sticky and watery and penetrate/ evaporate before I got a chance to rub it in which prevented me from being able to get a smooth even layer. I used this for a few nights and found that i would wake up with tiny breakouts on my forehead and chin as well as on my cheeks. I also thought my skin had an ashy look too it like it needed to be exfoliated even though the retinol was supposed to do that. I got fed up and used a natural skin exfoliator and got WAY better results. After just 5 minutes of using MyChelle Fruit Fiesta peel my skin looks "alive" and the hyper pigmentation has been reduced dramatically. With the peel in conjunction with the low dose of Spiro my skin is looking better and better. I use Dr. Hauska's rose day cream ONLY when my skin is dry. I will never use this chemical junk again and stick with the Spiro, natural fruit peel and rose face cream. (for a gentle cleanser i use Whole Foods 365 fragrance free (normal to dry) shampoo. My HG)

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dreachua on 11/18/2012 2:10:00 PM more reviews by dreachua

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

Saved my skin! I used to have really bad adult acne but with this gel, it's all gone. All I have is the scarring. But I'm not too worried about that. As long as those pesky bumps/ whiteheads are gone, I'm a happy camper.

Glides on smoothly. Therefore you only need a little bit of your face

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slim34 on 11/11/2012 12:46:00 PM more reviews by slim34

Age: 36-43   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Red   Eyes: Brown    

I have had problems with retinoid use in the past, so I tried Ziana because it is one of the more gentle prescription retinoids on the market. Overall, it worked very well for me. It helped keep my skin clear and did not irritate my face or cause an initial acne flare (unlike Differin, which really killed my skin!).

The biggest downside for me is that it really dried out my skin, even when I was using it every other night. Because of the dryness, I switched to Atralin, which has a more hydrating base.

I also had a problem with my insurance company not covering it, so I had to pay out of pocket using one of those discount coupons. The coupon helped bring the cost down, but otherwise it would have been a very pricey medication!

I would purchase this again, if Atralin wasn't an option. And I'd definitely recommend it for those who want a mild retinoid.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* dddoxie on 11/9/2012 1:01:00 PM more reviews by dddoxie

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

I started using this about 3 years ago when I had a pretty severe flare up in my adult acne. While I find that it does wotk in calming down my flare ups and clearing my skin, it dries me out like no other! I had to go from using it daily at night to every other day and now I only use it when I have an issue.

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PeaceLuvRikki on 11/9/2012 9:08:00 AM more reviews by PeaceLuvRikki

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Other   Eyes: Brown    

My derm recommended me this to put on at night along with another topical medication in the morning. My acne started to slowly get worse and I thought it was just because it was starting to work. After 2 months I stopped using both the products and my skin has been clearing up! I thought that ziana was going to be great after reading all the reviews, but I guess it just didn't work for me

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athousandhearts on 9/25/2012 10:44:00 AM more reviews by athousandhearts

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

My derm prescribed this to me about a year ago. I used it regularly for about 4 months before I went back for my next appointment. It really worked amazingly well, my skin went from being moderately broken out all over to almost completely clear. However, I stopped using it, partially because my derm told me I should "wean off" and also in part because it contains an antibiotic (clindamyacin) which I was hesitant about using long term.. So anyway, I used regular tretinoin on and off for a few months with not nearly as good results. Now, I just started using Ziana again, its been about a week and my skin already looks 10x better. When I go back to the derm I plan to ask for a new Rx for Ziana again :)
Also I got a discount card and even with so-so insurance, I only paid $20 for a huge tube that probably lasts a year used regularly. So IMO, totally cheap compared to the $$ I've spent on other acne treatments!

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Shigeru on 9/15/2012 7:18:00 PM more reviews by Shigeru

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

Prescribed by the dermatologist. Quite affordable with the discount card. Seems to have worked, in combination with twice-daily facial washing, the occasional benzoyl peroxide wash, and an antibiotic pill (plus moisturizing and a good sunscreen).

The number one recommendation I would give to anyone suffering with acne, who has insurance, is definitely to visit the dermatologist.

The gel does make you a little sticky, especially if you add moisturizer on top. Definitely a night-time treatment (trust me, it does -not- work as well during the day; tried that). The smell is a little strange, especially if you use too much (to me it smells like condensed chicken soup or bullion, or something similarly salty), but it dissipates very quickly and I've never noticed it once applied.

The packaging is a metal tube (like old-school Neosporin), which -can- get holes in it if you bend it a certain way a lot...but that's only happened to me once, and it was at the end of the tube, when you're trying to squeeze out the very last bit.

Would I recommend it? Yes. It seems to have worked, while previous topical overnight treatments (Salicylic acid, sulfur, benzoyl peroxide) failed me.

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hennehosa on 8/30/2012 11:56:00 PM more reviews by hennehosa

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This stuff is amazing, in 2 weeks my acne was gone! I would definetly recommend this, I still get the occasional pimple but for the most part my acne is completely gone!

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Laurentodd922 on 7/24/2012 10:16:00 PM more reviews by Laurentodd922

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I have been using this product for about 4 years now & I love it! You have to have patience though. When you first start using it, Ziana breaks you out and dries out your skin (about the first 2-3 months) and then slowly clears up your acne. The process is gradual but so worth it! After the first year, my skin was clear, with the exception of scarring (which is now also completely clear!) The only down side is that I feel like my skin has developed a dependency on Ziana. At one point I decided not to have my prescription filled because I thought my skin was really clear and could control it on my own. Not the case! Without Ziana, my skin is awful. Now, back on Ziana, people alway comment on how natural and beautiful my skin is. The key to using this product is PATIENCE! But it is well worth it in the long run!

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Finality on 7/22/2012 8:39:00 PM more reviews by Finality

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I saw my dermatologist to address the problem I had with my extremely mild acne. My blemishes were not noticeable at all, but what did it for me was the occasional cystic nodule I would have in the same three spots on my face. The Ziana not only got rid of the cysts, but it also cleared up the tiny blemishes I had on my cheeks. Now, I never break out (even after EXTREMELY inconsistent use!) and my cystic acne rarely comes back--but when it does, I spot-treat it and the cyst will be reduced by the morning and gone in 2-3 days. I love this stuff; it's my HG product!

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gsepulveda on 6/28/2012 1:34:00 PM more reviews by gsepulveda

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

my Acne was moderate on face but cystic on my back. I am on Ziana along with Spironolactone 25mg, yaz birth control and aczone gel although I am barely using the aczone gel because I dont think it does much. Ziana has made my skin so much smoother and beginning to clear significantly. A lot of clogged pores are going away. I have been using this for 4 weeks now and so far very pleased with the results. It can leave you feeling greasy once you put it on but I go to bed so not much too think about, next morning wash off and face feels super soft n radiant. There was an initial purge the first 2 weeks but that now seems to be over. My insurance also covers it so I only pay $10 copay. I had very little flaking around the chin and cheeks but dab on some moisturizer and that solves the problem. My dermatologist says it will take about 3 months to see full results, its been a month and so far I am definitely happy with the results.

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*TOP REVIEWER* pocky on 6/19/2012 8:30:00 PM more reviews by pocky

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Black    

I have mild acne with combination-to-dry skin and the first month on Ziana was really hard on my skin. My skin was flaky, itchy, and really raw for the first 3 weeks, because I didn't start out slowly using Ziana every few nights and working up to nightly. Eventually, after lots of moisturizing, my skin got better and cleared up beautifully. I was amazed by how clear and smooth my skin was. I have been using Ziana every other night and taking spironolactone for the past 6 months and my skin is still smooth and clear. I get an ocassional breakout, which I spot treat with Epiduo.


Unfortunately, my health plan is refusing to pay for Ziana. I obtained generic Ziana from an online Canadian pharmacy, which had it shipped to me from India (which manufactures quite a bit of generic drugs...no patent protection in India apparently). The active ingredients may be the same but when it comes to skincare, the inactive ingredients are just as important. I had to send this generic Ziana back to India because it has fragrance. I am now appealing the denial. If you are over 25, keep in mind that not all health plans will cover Ziana without a lot of hassle, if they cover it at all. The retail price of a 60 gm tube is over $500.

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flowerr on 5/11/2012 1:35:00 AM more reviews by flowerr

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Other   Eyes: Brown    

Redness, sensitivity, soreness, takes FOREVER to work. I've been using this product on and off because it's given me such bad rashes and soreness on my face. I can't use it consistently or else it'll practically burn my face off. I really really gave this a try for the past year but my skin just can't handle it after Accutane. Don't get this if you're looking for a long-term solution.. I can see this for someone with already good skin but wants to spot treat. BEWARE OF THE REDNESS!

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