BPGP: Clean & Clear Finishes

Last week, a commenter asked whether I’m getting paid for my product reviews and not disclosing it.  So I thought I would take the time to address the topic of blogging and endorsements.

First off, aside from a previous addiction to Napster, I’m a law abiding citizen.  And the law (well, an FCC regulation) says that bloggers must disclose when they are being paid for a post or when they receive free products, samples, etc.  I have no problem with this regulation (except that it doesn’t extend to magazines as well, grrr), so if I were ever in a position where I needed to follow it, I would. 

Frankly, I may be the only fashion blogger in history who doesn’t have an inbox fill of e-mails from PR folks pitching products and offering free goodies.  I honestly don’t know what I’m doing wrong, but this rarely, if ever, happens to me.  Thus, I have never endorsed a product and gotten paid for it.

That being said, in the past, I have reviewed products/stores and had the companies/owners contact me afterwards offering a thank you.  When my hairstylist started getting business because I tell everyone how awesome she is, she started throwing in the occasional gratis Kerastase treatment.  When Valerie at Coup de Foudre saw that I was recommending her store, she hosted a giveaway and bought an ad on my site.  When we included Blue Mercury in a post, they sent me some sample size products as a thank you. 

These are the only perks that I have ever received because of my blog.  And I stay on the right side of the House ethics rules because this is an outside business, I’m anonymous, and perks are common practice in the industry.  Oh, and I’m pretty sure my hairdresser doesn’t employ a lobbyist. 

In a way, I’m glad more companies don’t offer me money to write reviews.  It frees me up to honestly review the products that I use (and mostly like) without worrying about burning bridges.  Sure, I would consider reviewing a sample of something or doing a sponsored post under the right circumstances.  But if I ever did that, I would be sure to follow the FCC guidelines and let you ladies know.

Now, onto today’s review…

My skin can best be described as neurotic.  It’s oily in the T-zone and acne prone, but it’s also very sensitive and at times, shockingly dry.  This makes finding a good moisturizer a challenge.

While I like Cerave, I have a suspicion that it might be making my acne worse.  (This is no bueno.)  Thus, I decided to switch to an oil-free formula to try and reign in the sebum production.

After doing some Internet research, I decided to try Clean & Clear Finishes Pore Perfecting Moisturizer (CVS, $8).  At first, I was terrified that switching to a lighter moisturizer would make my skin too dry, and that I’d wind up peeling and flaking like a sunburned child.  But after a week of using the product during the day, my skin is hydrated, clearer and smoother looking.  Basically, I’m impressed.

Unlike other daytime moisturizers that I have tried (expensive and drugstore), this one actually moisturizes.  A shocking concept, I know.  It also has this awesome luminescent quality to it that gives my skin a dewiness never before seen in Belle’s mirror.  And despite my doubts, the moisturizer does make my pores look a little smaller.  Smaller is better.

But perhaps the most surprising thing about this product is how much softer my skin feels.  Frankly, it’s like silk.  Nuts, right?

Bottom line, I bought this product thinking it was going to be a huge disappointment, but I’m blown away by how well this moisturizer works.  Smaller looking pores, softer skin and less acne, I simply can’t believe it.  If this keeps up, I will definitely be buying the cleanser as well. 

If you want to try Clean & Clear Finishes, you can register for a $2 off coupon on their website.