Belo (Acne) Oil Control Kit review

*post changed on 9th January 2012: i've only noticed that i actually wrote "Belo ACNE Control Kit" when i got several comments on this post. it should be "Belo OIL Control Kit". i'm not sure if that stirred some confusion or if there is an acne kit per se but just to clarify, that the set i got is BELO OIL CONTROL KIT. so sorry for the confusion previously!

previously, i've shared with you that i've tried Belo Acne Oil Control Kit when i went for my very first facial and at the well-renowned Belo medical clinic (went at their Greenbelt branch). after finishing the entire line, i'd like to share my thoughts and experience.

first, to refresh your memory of what the kit includes:

i was advised with the following regimen:

Morning:
Glycolic Soap 5%
Belo Prescriptives Pore Minimizer
CHAT 2%
Sunblock Gel

Evening:
Glycolic Soap 5%
Belo Prescriptives Pore Minimizer
CHAT 2%
Daily Peel Solution

on the Glycolic Soap:
- i've never used any soap like this one. it cleanses my skin yet does not leave it dry or too moisturized (that i feel like i've slathered lotion on my face). i love it! at first though, i felt a little itchiness which was to be expected but over time i got used to it. one bar lasted me more than 2 months because i break it into 3 pieces and use each piece at a time.

on the Pore Minimizer:
- i noticed that after finishing this product, my pores became smaller and i do not oil as much, with or without makeup. i still have to blot oil on my T-zone area but i only do it once a day, probably after around 6 hours - not bad. i usually blot my face thrice a day before. great improvement right? and that is only when i wear makeup. if i don't, i don't blot at all! really impressive.

on the CHAT 2%:
- firstly, if you are thinking what the heck is CHAT, as i previously did, here are they:
  * it stands for Clindamycin, Hydroquinone, Alum and Tretinoin
  * Clindamycin is a lincosamide antibiotic. It is usually used to treat infections with anaerobic bacteria but can also be used to treat some protozoal diseases, such as malaria. It is a common topical treatment for acne and can be useful against some methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections.
  * Hydroquinone, also benzene-1,4-diol or quinol, is an aromatic organic compound that is a type of phenol, having the chemical formula C6H4(OH)2. Its chemical structure, shown in the table at right, has two hydroxyl groups bonded to a benzene ring in a para position. It is a white granular solid. Substituted derivatives of this parent compound are also referred to as hydroquinones. In human medicine, hydroquinone is used as a topical application in skin whitening to reduce the color of skin as it does not have the same predisposition to cause dermatitis as metol does.
  * Alum is both a specific chemical compound and a class of chemical compounds. The specific compound is the hydrated potassium aluminium sulfate (Potassium alum) with the formula KAl(SO4)2.12H2O. The wider class of compounds known as alums have the related empirical formula, AB(SO4)2.12H2O. Alum may be used in depilatory waxes used for the removal of body hair, or applied to freshly waxed skin as a soothing agent.
  * Tretinoin is the acid form of vitamin A and is also known as all-trans retinoic acid or ATRA. It is a drug commonly used to treat acne vulgaris and keratosis pilaris.
- i really noticed that i didn't (take note: AT ALL) had any breakouts during usage of this product. i was really amazed! i also realized my skin became brighter - a bit whiter i suppose, but not whiter that my foundation shade doesn't match anymore. my face felt smoother too.

on the Daily Peel Solution:
- at first, i was very scared to try this product. i don't wish to peel off skin while i'm at work or out. thank goodness, it didn't. it isn't saying that i didn't peel - i still did but in a very minimal way, i suppose. it mostly peeled skin off my nose aream, that's it. i didn't notice any peeling at any area around my face. i actually thought this also helped in controlling oilies on my nose area. my pet peeve with this product is it stings a little and smell harsh too, if you know what i mean. i actually got ok with that when i tried spraying thin layer of Avene Thermal Spring Water (i will be doing a separate review on that) on it and it soothed the tingling, sometimes slightly burning sensation. i'm still not finished with this bottle but i reckon it'll be in a few days or so.

on the Sunblock Gel:
- i liked the consistency of this product, smooth and easy to apply it glides on my skin and get absorbs fairly quickly. what i hated about this is the smell - it smelled like those cheap glue you can buy for PhP1 (during my elementary days pardon me hehe). it goes away though after it gets absorbed. another gripe is it's SPF, at only 19. i cannot complain though, because it actually made me realize putting on sunblock is indeed important. you could say it was a nice start. so this product scores fairly average for me - not loving it, not hating it either.

overall, i noticed great improvement in my skin after a month of use and further improvement upon finishing all of 'em (well almost, since my Daily Peel Solution still have some left but will be empty soon). it was actually the first time in many years i was wowed by a skincare line because it did worked for me very well. my only dilemma with this eureka moment is that i live in Singapore and they don't have a branch here. it was actually the reason why i turned to Avene, which is locally available. i don't want to rely on it and bother lots of people just to get their products. besides, i know i have to visit their clinics for followup on what products suit me better next. but i highly recommend this kit, i'm telling you i was really satisfied. Belo please open up a branch in Singapore! ^_^

have you used this kit? do you love or hate it? dish it out here!

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