The Clean & Clear Blackhead Eraser Kit looked promising from the description and packaging. It contains a battery-operated device that vibrates. On top of it you attach medicated pads. The idea is that the device vibrates while you rub the pads over the infected area, clearing away dead skin by use of exfoliation and thereby removing blackheads. I followed the instructions and tried it out for two weeks. I don’t have many blackheads but do have a few. After two weeks, I noticed zero difference in my complexion, with the exception that my skin was slightly rougher on the areas I used it. The product warns you not to use it too much or this will happen, but I followed their usage guidelines exactly. I noticed no minimization in blackheads. And after thinking about it, I don’t see how their product can make such claims.

The medicated pads contain nothing more than salicylic acid, which is the basic ingredient found in all acne/blackhead products. The vibrating action didn’t do anything I couldn’t do myself by washing my face vigorously with my hands. The product was a mess after using it since soap was leaking all down the sides (although it was simple to clean), and my face smelled too “perfumy.” Bottom line is that the pads are a bit expensive to replace, and this product won’t work much better than a simple face-cleaning regimen.

Since I have few of them, I had hoped Clean and Clear would erase my blackheads easily. Unfortunately, though it does work well as an exfoliant and leaves skin smooth, it did not budge a blackhead. Perhaps it is intended for younger skin (I am past middle age, with an oily complexion), but I also found that it tended to leave scaly patches.