AMBI Even and Clear Targeted Mark Minimizer!

      Here it is, as promised! Over the past few months, I've been doing a lot of research into what ingredients help visibly reduce the appearance of discoloration of the skin. I wanted to find a product that would work for any skin type and provide prescription strength results in a short period of time; That being said, I was not particularly wooed by many of my prospects. Many creams and moisturizers on the market are capable of providing deep moisture, clinical strength protection, problem area solvent, and good bang for-buck-quantity, but not usually without the mitigated caveats: the ingredients are not good for your skin, they contain additives that are well known comedogenics, can cause skin to develop extreme sun sensitivity, chemically unpleasant smell, etc..

      Hydroquinone was a popular feature in many of the products to which I'm referring, seconded by mineral oils, parabens, and the infamous "fragrance" (to clarify my problem with this item, it is basically anything that a manufacturing company considers to be a 'trade secret' and that means it can contain a whole host of harmful ingredients that are banned in most other nations for detrimental effects on human health). I know that there are many people who swear by hydroquinone creams, but I cannot side with them after taking a photography class in recent years.

      The price for some cremes containing none of these ingredients (nor any other active ingredients) was more appalling than the creams containing them.  Brands charging 65.00USD for a two ounce revitalizing cream that had no active ingredients was not an uncommon sighting. It goes to show that anything can be sold with the right packaging, really.

      But enough of that! With a little research, (the internet is awesome, honestly) it's easy to find reviews of products that live up to the acclaim of their distributors, and that brings me to my new favorite, non-otc problem solving product by AMBI. Their targeted mark minimizer from the even and clear line delivers much needed moisture to dry skin and corrects dark marks and larger areas of discoloration within the first two weeks of use.  The addition of vitamins E, A (retinol), and C (listed as Asorbic acid) deliver essential vitamins to the that accelerate the eradication of problem areas that are seated deep in the skin.

     Here's a description of the product straight from the company website:

"This fast-acting, clinically proven formula lets you target problem areas to give you a smooth even-toned complexion.
Its advanced lightweight treatment contains a unique triple-action formula:

• 1 oz.
• Vitamin A, which helps to improve skin tone and cell turnover
• Vitamin C, to help lighten dark marks
• Vitamin E, to help help soften and smooth skin

You will begin to see results in as little as two weeks! Your skin will look and feel more radiant with continued use. And, it's gentle enough for everyday use."

       The product is 12.49USD/oz. and, if you buy it from the company website, ships in one business day. I bought mine from Walmart two weeks ago for the better half on 9.00USD (me: 01 shipping: 00).  Now to itemize this product's characteristics:

Packaging.

     This product comes in a tube cased with a lining that is meant to stop the product from spoiling quickly due to sun exposure and cross-contamination. The fact that it comes in a tube at all is a wonderful thing; dipping your fingers into a jar of product to then apply it to the face is unsanitary because is introduces your body's natural oils to the cream and can cause it to spoil more quickly.

 Application.

       It goes on smooth and doesn't have a curdle-y texture like it's counterpart in the fade cream collection. The cream spreads over the skin without the addiction of a toner to keep the skin wet and is easily absorbed.

 Smell.

       This cream smells like lotion; it doesn't have an unpleasant or overwhelmingly chemical-y smell. Kind of like a baby powder to be honest.

Results.

       I've always had trouble clearing post acne marks from my skin, but this product has been a great help. I began to see results after one week, and after two, 90% percent of the markings on my skin were gone. I've got a large amount of this product left because you only need a pearl sized amount for your entire face, but I do recommend avoiding the eye area.

 Color.

       The coloring is very nice, it is transparent doesn't create an ashy film on the skin. Aside from that, it makes your skin glow, so avoid using it beneath makeup unless you use something that controls oil (assuming that you have oily skin).

Durability.

      If you do put it on during the day, which I don't suggest doing unless you wear a sunscreen, you will not have to re-apply it. It stays on all day, and you don't have to worry about it creating a greasy halo over your facial skin!

Price.

      Straight from manufacturer, it's  12.49USD; from Walmart, it's about 9.47USD. You can get it much cheaper on a bidding site like eBay or Amazon, but you should be forewarned that the shipping war will overtake you, lest you purchase through amazon prime or super saver shipping.

Ingredients.

       WATER, ISONONYL ISONONANOATE, GLYCERIN, STEARETH-2, ASORBIC ACID, DIMETHICONE, CETYL PALMITATE, PEG-8, SORBITAINE STEARATE, BUTELYNE GLYCOL, CETYL ALCOHOL, STEARETH-21, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, PANTHENOL, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII, CARPRYRYL GLYCOL, METHYLPARABEN, BISABOLOL, ACRYLATES/C10-30, ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, FRAGRANCE, XANTHAN GUM, DISODIUM EDTA, PROPYL PARABEN, HYDROXYETHEL ACRYLATE, SUCROSE COCOATE, SQUALANE, BHT, TOCOPHEROL, POLYSORBATE 20, RETINOL, CHLORHEXIDINE, MAGNESIUM ASPARTATE, ZINC GLUCONATE, MAY ALSO CONTAIN SODIUM HYDROXIDE.

Overall.

 I give this product a 3.5/5. It's a product with a lot of good things for it's particular purpose in it, but a lot more that doesn't need to be in it necessarily and could be comedogenic or bad for your skin. It has a pleasant fragrance, but what exactly is the fragrance? I'm glad that it's so effective and that it's a cheap, otc alternative, but when I look at the ingredients contained in this item, I wonder what long term damage I may be faced with in the future.. Well, I'm still on the lookout for a potent problem spot-clearing product that doesn't have as much muck in it, so if you can recommend something that stacks up to my criteria (and is non-otc) then drop a comment in the discuss section below this post, or get back to us on twitter!

@cloud9kollektiv