Review on Fight Acne With Hanhoo Dermafix Blemish Treatment Kit: 4-Piece Set Of Calamine, Green Tea And Aloe Products To Reduce Breakouts, Relieve Redness And Spot-Treat Pimples by Durward Carlson

This is a relatively inexpensive Korean-brand (Hanhoo Dermafix) all-in-one kit targeted towards those who suffer from blemishes/acne. Everything in the kit is full-sized: a 6.76 oz bottle of treatment toner, a 2.02 oz bottle of treatment moisturizer, a 36pc pack of non-medicated hydrocolloid patches (in both 10mm and 12mm), and finally a single-use, 100% bamboo sheet mask saturated in treatment essence.Normally, I am a huge fan of Korean-skincare as many of their products and formulations are amazingly good for the skin, and are often affordable. For a variety of reasons, though, I have to give this kit a 3 out of 5. To me, they did this half-right. I will explain why.But first, for reference, I have mature (over 40), sensitive, acne-prone, congestion-prone, product-reactive, combination skin. I've battled acne, from cystic to mild, for over 3 decades. It is now well-managed. In that time, I have learned (struggled to find) what works best for me (using nearly everything over the counter and foisted upon me by dermatologist after dermatologist).My opinion here may not be applicable to you, but I had to unlearn much of the misinformation I was taught back in the late '90s in dealing with acne. When I was a teenager/young adult, US marketing encouraged users to dry out our oily or acne-prone skin with alcohol-heavy toners, piling on multiple active ingredients, overwashing our faces, and don't get me started on the lack of talking about proper pH. At least I managed to wear sunscreen regularly. But I battled cystic acne. In time, it became milder, but I didn't get my acne completely under control until my 30's.Now I manage with both acne and fine-line, yay! (sarcasm). It took me years to learn, for people who have sensitive skin like me, less is more. Avoiding unnecessary or harsh ingredients; excessively drying ingredients; avoiding added fragrance and colorants, and not using acne-active products every time I wash my face. I'm consistent, not excessive.The Hanhoo Dermafix Blemish Kit does a lot of things well. I'm not saying this is a terrible product. I am saying it is not suitable for sensitive skin. With a milder formulation, it would be. As is, I cannot endorse it.Here we go. The things I like. Always good to start with a positive. The overall branding of the products cites they are mostly of natural origin, paraben-free, mineral-oil free, sulfate-free, and hypoallergenic, as well as cruelty-free and vegan. I also noticed there is no added fragrance (though the products do have a smell, but from the ingredients therein).The blemish mask and the patches are universally suitable for everyone to use, assuming (in terms of the mask) you are not sensitive to witch hazel or tea tree oil. I wish hydrocolloid patches had been a thing when I was younger. They are fantastic at protecting the wound (acne) and drawing out all of the gross stuff to the surface while still keeping the skin around it from drying out. This accelerates healing, lessens the chances of having prolonged hyperpigmentation (red discoloration), and keeps you from picking.Now, what I don't like. Here I will note some of the good alongside the not so good as it applies to the toner and moisturizer specifically. The texture of both products is lovely. I like the user experience of seeing the settled pink calamine in the toner as it is shaken up and mixes with the rest of the liquid. I've included images of everything. The moisturizer's gel-like, light-weight texture is wonderful. I like how they formulated with respect to things like calamine and green tea. The rest of the ingredient list concerns me. Some of these, alone, is extremely beneficial. But adding them with other actives or having them in more than one product in the line, in my experience, further irritates the skin vs. helping calm and heal it.Alcohol. It is high up on the ingredient list for both of these. Personally, I don't think alcohol is necessary for acne-specific skincare. It is drying and bothersome. There are countless toners and moisturizers on the market that don't use it.Witch hazel, plus the aforementioned alcohol, plus willow bark extract/aka salicylic acid, plus tea tree oil, plus peppermint oil, and sage, and lavender oil. Independently, many of these chemicals are great for treating and preventing acne. Together, it is just too much. It is likely this would cause more irritation. Some people are sensitive to witch hazel and essential oils.The toner is not hydrating and, of course, smells mostly like medicated alcohol. The moisturizer too. If they would remove the alcohol and streamline the actives list to a couple (like SA and tea tree) then I feel this kit would be improved and suitable for (nearly) all skin types.