Walgreens Tinted Acne Treatment Cream for Acne and Redness Relief

Key Takeaways

1. It’s a dual action product — Walgreens Tinted Acne Treatment Cream offers a skin tone correcting tint along with a treatment for acne, so you treat acne and reduce redness at the same time.
2. It works best for mild and moderate acne — It is designed to treat everyday acne, not severe or cystic acne which requires a dermatologist to determine its treatment.
3. Better than harsh acne products — It’s gentle enough to use on sensitive skin, and will help reduce dryness or irritation caused by the stronger acne treatments.
4. Patch testing is still advised, however. The tint will hide acne, but results will take time — Although the tint will give immediate coverage, results from using this topical acne treatment are not noticed for 4-8 weeks.
5. Ideal when combined with good basics – cleansing, moisturising, sun protection and healthy habits (sleep, drinking plenty of water and controlling stress) all help the treatment to work its magic over time.

Intro

Getting rid of acne and redness simultaneously can be like battling two wars. You want something that really helps clear up acne, but you don’t want to wear so much make-up that you are uncomfortable when you go out the door.

Walgreen’s Tinted Acne Treatment Cream aims to do just that: fill the gap with a soft, lightweight cream that treats acne and reduces the look of redness. The purpose of this guide is to explain what the product does, who it works best for, proper use of the product, and compare it to other acne treatments to decide whether or not it is worth using.

Understanding Acne and Redness Before You Treat It

It’s important to get an understanding of what’s going on with your skin before entering into any product. Acne occurs as a result of an accumulation of excess oil, dead skin cells and bacteria in the pores of the skin and forms whiteheads, blackheads or inflamed pimples.

Redness can be caused by a number of factors including active inflammation around a pimple, post-acne marks left behind after a pimple has healed, or general skin sensitivity that is triggered by heat, stress, and/or some products. This is important to note because using something to treat active acne while ignoring redness won’t really help with any redness that hasn’t already gone away and using something to mask the redness won’t prevent new acne from forming.

If you’re not sure what concerns you are most concerned about, whether it’s acne, dryness, or simply a general redness after months of acne, knowing what to expect from the treatment will help prevent you from being disappointed.

What Makes This Product Different

There are two types of acne products: those that will address acne, but will not help with the appearance of the skin in the interim, and those that will cover redness but not cure the problem. This cream is attempting to achieve both of these things.

A Dual-Purpose Formula

The tint helps to give light coverage with breathability and even skin tone, and the salicylic acid helps to unclog the pores and minimize the occurrence and size of acne. Calming properties such as aloe vera and chamomile are used to soothe any visible redness and irritations. This combination may be a breeze for those looking for a fast way to look after their skin to feel presentable.

Formulated for Sensitive Skin

Many acne products are more effective with more potent ingredients, which can cause dry, flaky, and irritated skin. The formula contains a moderate concentration of salicylic acid and also combined with soothing and hydrating ingredients, which could make this formula more tolerable for individuals who have bad responses to tougher acne treatments in the past.

With any new skin care product, it is advisable to do a patch test in an inconspicuous place first, particularly if you have any skin sensitivities.

A Closer Look at the Key Ingredients

It can help determine if a product is likely to benefit your skin, and if it’ll interfere with anything else you are using.

Salicylic acid. This is an oil-soluble beta hydroxy acid which can enter the pores and help rupture the accumulation of oil and dead skin cells causing clogged pores and acne. It is one of the best studied OTC acne active ingredients and is known to be effective in treating mild acne in low to moderate concentrations (usually 0.5% to 2%). Also, it’s gentle enough to be combined with formulas that target redness.

Aloe vera. Aloe is best known for its calming and hydrating effects, and it is frequently included in skin care products as a calming and moisture-retaining agent. It is not a treatment for acne, but it can help counteract some of the dryness that can be caused by acne treatments.

Chamomile extract. Chamomile is a popular ingredient in skin care products because of its soothing and relaxing effects. There is some evidence of its mild anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can contribute to the appearance of reduced redness and provide skin comfort.

Tinted pigments. The cosmetics used in the formula do not treat anything, but are there to even the look of the skin. Also note that there can be some differences in hue between tinted formulas from different brands, so try a tint shade on your skin before you buy. They’re all ingredients that you can find in any normal, standard retail skin care line, but it’s how they’re used together that really makes this formula both treatment and light coverage.

Who Might Benefit From This Cream

This type of product is usually designed for those who have mild to moderate acne and mild to moderate redness and not for those suffering from severe or cystic acne; severe acne is usually treated by a dermatologist.

Skin types: Ideal for oily, combination and acne-prone skin. It also has a milder formulation which can be used on sensitive skin, although individual reactions vary

. Age range: For teens who have issues with hormonal acne and grown-ups who have stress or occasional acne.

In general, these products are meant to treat mild to moderate acne, so if you do have severe, painful or even cystic acne, it’s worth talking to your dermatologist before using a product made specifically for tinted acne.

A Note on Skin Tone Matching

Tinted acne products are a tricky balance: if they’re not enough, they won’t provide any significant coverage, and if they’re too dark, they might look mismatched or heavy.

Tinted treatments are often more limited in the shade size available than a full foundation line, so it may be worth purchasing a couple of different shades to test for your skin tone, or even to get it in natural daylight vs. indoor lighting, which can add a layer of confusion on just how it will look when applied to your skin.

How to Use It Correctly

Morning Routine

1. Use a soft, non-irritating face wash to cleanse, which will remove oil and accumulations from sleeping overnight.
2. Use a light moisturizer and allow to absorb.
3. For areas affected with redness or active acne, apply a thin layer of the tinted cream.
4. Apply sunscreen after as salicylic acid can make you more sensitive to the sun.

Use minimal coverage to start with – it’s always possible to add more later but too much at the beginning can be too much or uneven.

Evening Routine

1. Cleanse with a mild cleanser to remove the cream and the day’s make up and sunscreen.
2. Do whatever you normally do at night, such as other treatments.
3. Don’t apply two or more active ingredients (such as applying retinoids and strong exfoliants on the same areas simultaneously without consulting with the physician) without guidance because this may aggravate irritation.

Seasonal Adjustments Worth Considering

Skin changes with the seasons, and can help you to change your acne treatment use accordingly. During the warmer months, breakouts may occur more often due to more oil production and sweat, and skin may be a bit more tolerant to the ingredients in skin products like salicylic acid because it is naturally producing more oil.

However, redness can also be more evident in hot and humid conditions, so a thinner application of the tinted cream and some oil-free sun cream is more effective. During the colder months, the skin may be drier than usual and medications for acne may be more drying than normal. Sometimes a slightly richer moisturizer under the cream or decreasing the number of times you use it may help if you find flaking or tightness.

When heated indoors, moisture can also be removed from the air, exacerbating dryness for some. Knowing how to treat your skin seasonally — not just for the year-round — can make all the difference in your level of comfort and results.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using too much product. Too much is not helpful — using more cream may lead to the skin becoming dry or leave a cakey look instead of making breakouts look better.

Skipping the basics. Any acne treatment is enhanced by cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection.

The steps can be omitted to delay the results or to increase any irritation. Selecting the incorrect color. Testing the tint on your jaw before applying it to your face can help you avoid any noticeable inconsistencies. Overloading the tank with too many actives.

Using this product in combination with other potent acne products (Benzoyl Peroxide or Retinoids) in the same areas may cause skin irritation.

Weekly Add-Ons for Better Results

The focus of the routine is on daily use, but some additions on a weekly basis might be beneficial:

• Exfoliation once or twice a week can help you to buff away dead skin cells and boost absorption of other products, but too much can harm you and cause an increase in redness.
• Acne treatments can dry out the skin, and hydrating masks will help to alleviate this dryness, especially in flaky areas.
• The tinted cream can be used in conjunction with spot treatments for difficult to treat blemishes, rather than having to use additional product over the entire face.

How It Compares to Other Acne Treatments

Spot treatments (such as typical over the counter benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid gels) are often faster acting and more treatment-oriented, and have no coverage, but can be more drying. It is a tinted cream that offers a more subdued and comfortable day-to-day treatment, but at the expense of some of the strength.

Prescription acne medicines are more likely to be effective for more severe acne, but may be more likely to cause dryness, peeling, or irritation and must be prescribed. If you’re experiencing mild to moderate acne, an OTC product such as this is a less-invested approach to begin with.

When considering the problems of redness, traditional concealers and foundations will conceal but won’t treat the skin below. The benefit of this product is that it works as a treatment and as a light foundation in one — but not quite as light a coverage as a full-coverage make up for heavier discoloration or scarring.

Common Acne Myths Worth Clearing Up

When it comes to acne care, there’s tons of misinformation floating around, some of which can actually hinder the healing process.

Myth: Acne is caused by poor hygiene.Rubbing or over-washing the skin will not speed the healing of acne, in fact, it can make it worse since it can damage the skin’s protective barrier.Rinse away with gentle, regular washing.

Myth: You should let acne “dry out” without moisturizer. Not applying moisturizer won’t heal faster. In fact, if the skin is too dry, it may actually make them secrete more oil to make up for it, which can actually make them worse. Most dermatologists say that even if you have acne you should use a light, non-comedogenic moisturizer.

Myth: Tinted treatments are just makeup with a marketing spin. It is correct that cosmetics are added to tinted acne products, but the ingredients are still the same that would be used in a non-tinted treatment (such as salicylic acid). The tint is an extra bonus, but rather than being the active ingredients that do the job.

Myth: If a product isn’t working in a few days, it’s the wrong product. With topical acne treatment, it takes weeks of consistent use to see results, as it takes time to see the skin cell turnover and inflammation decrease. Changing products too often may mean that one will never know what a product can accomplish in a longer period of time.

Building Habits That Support Clearer Skin

These are several healthy lifestyle habits that complement skincare products:

• Drink lots of water — This helps your skin to stay healthy.
• Follow a balanced diet high in antioxidants and good fats that can help repair the skin.
• Get plenty of rest as lack of sleep is often associated with higher levels of stress hormones that may be associated with acne.
• Get exercise, practice mindfulness or engage in other methods of stress release since stress is a well-known trigger for acne breakouts for many individuals.

None of these are a substitute for a real treatment program, but can be a key factor in conjunction with a real treatment program.

When to See a Dermatologist Instead

There are some cases, however, in which professional treatment is the solution:

• Acne that causes pain, breaks open and/or scars the skin.
• Acne that does not clear up with OTC products for 2-3 months.
• Acne that suddenly and unexpectedly becomes severe and looks different than you would expect from your skin type.
• Redness that is accompanied by burning, swelling or spreading, which may not be a common acne symptom, but it could be an infection or reaction.

If over-the-counter ones don’t do the trick, a dermatologist can provide prescription strength treatments, professional treatments, or a more individualized diagnosis.

Final Thoughts

Walgreens Tinted Acne Treatment Cream is designed for those who wish to find a product to do more than just one thing — treat mild to moderate acne, but also diminish the appearance of redness on a day to day basis.

While it’s not the answer for severe or stubborn acne, it’s a convenient compromise between a full treatment and a concealer for common acne and redness. Like with any skin care product, it takes more than one use and including a solid basic skin care routine will be a real eye opener in the long run.

Author Information

Mahrukh is the founder of BeautyKob and writes practical skincare and haircare guides focused on simple routines, ingredient awareness, and beginner-friendly beauty habits.