Like teased hair, frosted lipstick, and fringe leather jackets, blemishes are only supposed to be a phase--an embarrassing but fleeting adolescent chapter (or at least that's why my parents told me). As it turns out, though, for 17 million lucky American adults (myself included), acne is more of a lifelong saga in which breakouts generally prevail over armies of creams, cleansers, and astringents. Having tested virtually every so-called skin-clearing product over the years, I was skeptical when my friend raved about the L'Oreal AcneResponse Daily Adult Acne Regimen ($25; drugstore.com). But determined to conquer my complexion woes once and for all, I decided to give the kit a go and, much to my surprise, was delighted with the results.

The system comes with three products, each designed to be used morning and night: the Pore-Clearing Cleanser, a foaming face wash packed with exfoliating microbeads and 1 percent salicylic acid; the Skin-Clarifying Toner, a refreshing Panthenol-enriched elixir that removes excess oils; and the Blemish-Fighting Lotion, a light, nongreasy cream made with 2.55 percent benzoyl peroxide. Unlike some acne-fighting systems, AcneResponse didn't leave my skin feeling dry and flaky, and the results were rapid--in less than a week, the kit banished my breakouts and left my skin looking healthier. What's more, after three weeks, the system seems to have successfully regulated my complexion, rendering acne a rare and fleeting occurrence, rather than a daily struggle. --Kai Alexis Smith

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