For some reason, the name of the product I’m about to review reminds me of the “Bee-doo” scene from Despicable Me 2. Don’t ask me why, but it just is :D

First Aid Beauty Blemish Patrol Pads sounds like the perfect answer to sweep away the fire (read: blemishes) and keep them at bay.

What it is:

FAB Skin Rescue Blemish Patrol Pads are a non-OTC alternative to prevent breakouts and manage oil production. They are formulated with a unique and effective combination of ingredients, including witch hazel, salicylic acid, and evermat™, a natural blend that tightens pores and mattifies the skin. Unlike traditional OTC acne treatments which can irritate the skin, these pads are gentle and contain willowbark extract to soothe redness. These pads are easily incorporated into a daily skin regimen, providing just the right amount of help to keep the complexion clear, refined, and well-balanced. –sephora.com

I was a little hesitant to buy this at first because it’s targeted for oily or acne-prone skin and I’m afraid it might be drying for my skin. But, my previous experience with other First Aid Beauty (FAB) products had always been wonderful. Besides, FAB products are catered to sensitive skin, so I wasn’t too worried.

Some of the featured ingredients, again, from Sephora.com:

-Witch Hazel: Conditions skin to reduce flakiness and restore suppleness.
-Evermat™: Reduces sebum, tightens pores, and controls shine for a long-lasting matte finish.
-Willowbark Extract: Soothes redness and supports natural skin turnover.
-Salicylic Acid: Improves skins texture and clears breakouts.

FAB Blemish Patrol Pads is packaged the same way like its sister, Facial Radiance Pads. And priced the same too at USD 30 for 60 pads in one fairly large plastic tub. Each pad has two sides, one textured and the other is smooth.

I use it in the same step as the latter, which is after cleansing and before toner, pre-essence, and so on. Night-time only. I will use the textured side and sweep it across my face, concentrating on troubled areas. Bring it down onto the neck and chest then flip it over and do my back. Sometimes, I would let the pad sit a little longer on needed areas too. 2-3 times a week, sometimes every other day, sometimes continuously. I literally used up that pad until it’s completely dry!

It took me a while before I could write this review, mainly because I had to wait until I could actually see how it works on the blemishes.. means, I had to go through several PMS-es and hormonal fluctuations. Not exactly fun, but it’s inevitable.

As far as keeping the complexion clear, I would say yes, in the long run. I’m saying this because I feel that I get less and milder blemishes after using this for a while.

As far as getting rid of the blemishes, it depends on the type. FAB Blemish Patrol Pads definitely help with the pesky mini blemishes. It diminishes these pretty quickly, up to just one night of use. But for the bigger, more serious ones, such as acne or zits, hmm.. it’s a hit and miss for me. Sometimes I don’t find it work fast enough. But I do feel it plays a part in receding them. At the very least, it helps to lessen the pain and de-flame them. I also think it works better when the zit has surfaced to the top of the skin. For the ones deeper in the skin, yeah, I need a different treatment for that (which I have yet to found, sadly).

I do have to mention that this has a tendency to dry out my skin. But applying a hydrating toner/lotion afterwards will sort out the problem right away. I use my favorite SK-II Cellumination Mask-in Lotion for this purpose. Actually, this is the only toner that I use at night time, because I love it to death.

My current favorite combo (again, night time) whenever I find myself in a slight breakout and I need it to go away quickly is to swipe FAB Blemish Patrol Pads, apply SK-II Cellumination Mask-in Lotion, then Menard Beauness S (pour some onto a cotton pad, then apply to the whole face with a patting motion, split the pad and let them sit on concerned areas). Apply Sunday Riley Good Genes and seal everything with Sunday Riley Artemis Face Oil. With this regime, I’m a happy camper when I found my skin had calmed down in the morning.

With 60 pads, it will last me for quite a bit, 6 to 8 months, I predict. FAB Blemish Patrol Pads has become a great addition in helping to keep my skin clear and quickly rises up as one of the staples in my breakout/blemish-busting regime.

Bee-doo, bee-doo, bee-doo~