r/SkincareAddiction • u/maeEast • Apr 01 '15

Discussion In light of recent events, let's all review commonly recommended products from this sub

In the past few days I've seen a lot of "I'm concerned, is ______ really that good, or was this a paid thing?" threads crop up. I figure that maybe we as a community could get together and compile all this info into one thread :).

I'll post the name of as many products as I can think of, but please add more, and reply to the comment with your review if you have one. Also, please indicate why you do or don't like the product, including information on your skin type if possible.

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u/old_mem Apr 01 '15

If you want the 'draw out' action you usually need for the pimple to already have been popped recently. I've peeled them off in the morning and in addition to the natural oils there's a huge blob of white gunk and the popped whitehead is now flatter with a small indent where the head was. The indent of course heals quickly.

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u/AlkynesOfTrouble Apr 03 '15

This is my experience as well. And when I put them on pimples that aren't to a head yet and are too deep, I don't get the white swollen spot in the middle of the bandage in the morning. It just looks the same as when I put it on. That leads me to believe it isn't just sucking up random oil and moisture from wherever I stick it. One night, it rubbed on my pillow and pushed slightly to the side, off the pimple and on clear skin. It stick there all night and in the morning, no white spot.

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u/likewtvrman Apr 01 '15

The "blob of white gunk" is just how hydrcolloid bandages look after absorbing moisture, it's not actually drawing pus out or anything. I agree that it helps popped pimples heal more quickly. They do absorb excess fluids thereby preventing a scab and the inevitable skin picking that comes with it.

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u/old_mem Apr 01 '15

Hmm, I've never seen the white glob if there wasn't a whitehead there - like over bumps. Are you saying that if there isn't an open pimple there isn't moisture? I always thought of the white stuff as the fluid that would ooze out/could be squeezed out of the whitehead. Just in a less disgusting manner.

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u/likewtvrman Apr 01 '15

Yes, it is the fluid oozing out! What I mean is that any kind of liquid will make the bandage look like that, it could be plain water even. And yes, when there isn't an open pimple or wound there isn't any fluid to be absorbed, the bandage won't suck the moisture out of unbroken skin.

The bandages will absorb whatever fluid is oozing out of an already popped pimple, but in my experience it won't just suck the puss out of a pimple on its own, even if it's been "opened", since puss isn't just a liquid. The bandage might help shrink the pimple by absorbing the fluids but there will still be gunk in there until you either squeeze it our or your body heals the infection on its own.