Dermalogica Deep Breakout Liquid Patch

Where I got it

After purchasing the Dermalogica Liquid Peelfoliant and enjoying the product (review here), I was exposed to more new launches from the brand from social media. A product like this naturally appealed to me because it targets breakouts (yes, I am 39 and still suffer from breakouts!). This is a brand new product from Dermalogica so I have yet to see reviews of it. I quickly went to Life Pharmacy online and ordered a tube to try. It was NZD$69 for 15ml tube which is actually quite expensive.

What I got

This is the new Dermalogica Deep Breakout Liquid Patch (15ml). This potent sulfur-based treatment goes on clear and dries invisible, so you can use it anytime, anywhere–even over make-up. It forms a semi-permeable barrier that allows airflow to help your blemish heal, while also protecting skin from pollution and bacteria. Apply as soon as you feel a blemish forming–and stop breakouts before you can even see them. Safe to use while pregnant.

Ingredients: Sulfur (5.0%); Water/Aqua/Eau; Niacinamide; Propanediol; Glycerin; Acacia Senegal Gum; Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6; Hydroxyacetophenone; Lactic Acid; Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil; Lavandula Hybrida Oil; Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil; Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil; SalviaSclarea (Clary) Oil; Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract; Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil; Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract; Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil; Myristyl Myristate; Beta-Glucan; Biosaccharide Gum-1; Glyceryl Stearate; Maltodextrin; Caprylyl Glycol; Polylysine; Cetearyl Alcohol; 1,2-Hexanediol; Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2; Ceteareth-12; Titanium Dioxide; Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate; Potassium Cetyl Phosphate; Sodium Hydroxide; Dimethyl Isosorbide; Thymol; Terpineol; Algin; Camphor; O-Cymen-5-Ol; Sodium Benzoate; Limonene; Linalool; Citronellol; Geraniol

How I find it

There are a myriad of spot treatments out there and I have tried many.  From personal experience, tea tree oil did work for me in my teenage years where my pimples were from poor hygiene (touching my skin and picking) and eating junk food. My blemishes were mainly ones that are on the surface with a white head and puss underneath. As I got older, I started getting deeper cystic acne and I had to use hydrogen peroxide (think Benzac and Proactiv) at a low 2.5%. It was drying and quite harsh on the skin, but when I had more resilient and oily skin at my late teens, my skin could handle it.

Fast forward to my early 2os – 30s, I started getting a lot of hormonal acne and these are the painful ones under my skin. I would use BHA liquid to keep my blackheads and skin relatively clear and I would use the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion on these massive spots which are salicylic acid (BHA) and sulfur spot treatments and they work a treat! My skin currently cannot take more than 2.5% hydrogen peroxide for 2 consecutive days because it wrecks my skin barrier.

Long story short, sulfur-based treatments are well received by my skin without causing skin barrier issues and sensitivity. They target my deep-set cystic acne quite well along with salicylic acid to help keep my skin clear of dead skin and clogs. I also use retinol to help with healthy cell turnover so my acne would die faster.

This liquid patch by Dermalogica is a lotion with a tinge of yellow. Goes on clear and does not leave any discolouration or chalky patch like the Drying Lotion does. This would be a great alternative for day time as it dries down to nothing. It’s called a patch, but it is an invisible patch rather than an actual “pimple patch”.

After cleansing, I would apply a small amount of this over my blemishes and let it dry for a minute or so. Then I would be able to apply my skincare on top. The spot treatment does have camphor to gentle relieve itchiness associated with sensitivity. It is also slightly cooling and has anti-inflammatory properties.

I usually have an odd spot here and there around my jawline so I have been testing it out. I would say this is not a cystic breakout that is under the skin, but it is a pustule pimple. It was a little red and with a whitish head with puss. Anyway, once I applied the liquid patch I can see the redness has calmed down. After about 3 days of use, my breakout is gone. Completely gone! I couldn’t even see any marks or pigmentation!

Overall

I am actually very impressed with how this liquid patch treated my pustule pimple. It was gone with a few days and without any dryness or irritation. I was also able to try this on a pimple that was under the skin, painful and red near my ear (of all places!), I applied it twice a day for 3 days and I stopped because I feel it going down. On the 5th day, it was no longer a bump and was hardly visible. I am very happy with this and will be using this again!

If only I could find something that works for my tiny bumps around my jawline as well, but I’m thinking they could only be taken out with a disposable sharp needle and then squeezed out.