Medik8 Press & Clear

With Press & Clear, Medik8 is set to revolutionise BHA skincare, helping to visibly clarify the skin in just 7 days* without the dryness, inflammation and further breakouts that are associated with high-strength treatments.

Press & Clear is a 2% salicylic acid tonic which features unique, slow-release encapsulation technology and a barrier-friendly pH ~5.5 to ensure the formula is as gentle on the skin as it is effective in providing proven, triple-action blemish care: before, during and after.

The rising prevalence of adult acne

Daniel Isaacs, Director of Research at Medik8, says adult acne has seen a significant rise in the recent years.

‘In Western societies, acne vulgaris is estimated to affect around 90% of the adolescent populations¹, and in men and women older than 25 years, around 50% are affected,² he says.

The rise in adult acne has been associated with chronic stress in our modern lives. Continual high stress levels trigger high cortisone levels, which can offset our balance of hormones, and be a cause of blemishes.

‘Hormones fluctuate in ways which can change the levels of sebum secretion, and can lead to highly inflamed blemishes,’ he explains. ‘Stress makes all inflammatory conditions worse, which includes hormonal acne. Stress initiates the hormone cortisol, and high levels of this can lead to unbalanced hormones and changes in sebum production. This then can lead to the formation of blemishes. The skin then acts in defence mode as the automatic immune response exacerbates swelling or redness, as the sebaceous glands are also immune organs that can create inflammation.

Isaacs says ultimately three main factors are required to create the optimum environment for blemishes to form: sebum, bacteria and enclosure. Excess sebum provides nutrients for the bacteria to multiply, excess bacteria produce inflammation and pustules form. At the same time, over-keratinisation is happening, creating a thickening of the wall of the sebaceous duct – this closed environment prevents sebum being excreted to the surface of the skin and trapping it which leads to breakouts.

What about hormonal acne?

Women are usually much more likely to be affected than men due to fluctuations in hormones derived from pregnancy, menstruation and contraception, says Isaacs.

‘Although hormones tend to level out in adulthood, they will still ebb and flow throughout the female monthly cycle and for males throughout the day. These fluctuations can spike oil production from time to time, causing your skin to become slightly oily at certain points during the month. This, teamed with the fact that skin cell turnover slows down as you mature, can increase your risk of blemishes. Because dead skin cells stay attached to your complexion for longer, they can easily become lodged inside a pore when the slightest amount of oil makes an appearance.’

BHAs and the challenge of high-percentage actives on
blemish-prone skin

BHAs, also known as salicylic acid, can help to breakdown clogged skin cells and sebum. BHAs are oil-soluble and can penetrate deep into pores. Salicylic acid is related to the aspirin family, and has similar anti-inflammatory benefits that can be effective in soothing red and sore blemishes.

While high-strength treatments and the promise of fast-acting results can be very alluring to those battling blemishes, combinations of such high-percentage actives can easily overload the complexion. This can cause the natural barrier to dismantle, leaving the skin more susceptible to damage, inflammation and further breakouts while worsening the look and feel of existing blemishes.

“A true innovation within the BHA skincare space, Press & Clear recognises that blemish-prone skin is sensitive skin, and that it needs to be treated gently to achieve the best, long-term results.”
– Daniel Isaacs, Director of Research, Medik8

‘While there’s a common misconception that salicylic acid needs to be a low pH to be effective on the skin, Medik8’s research shows it is just as efficient at a more neutral pH of ~5.5 – and this alleviates the common pain points of BHAs such as dryness, general irritation and greasy textures.

‘Every aspect of Press & Clear is designed to avoid these downsides; from the pH itself and delivery technology, to the experience-enhancing texture and expertly-combined ingredients,’ says Isaacs. ‘This is a BHA, but better.’

Clarity without compromise

Press & Clear’s maximum strength (2%) salicylic acid is oil soluble and able to penetrate deep into the pores to break down blockages which can lead to blemishes and congestion. This promotes a visibly clarified complexion while remaining non-irritating on the skin thanks to Medik8’s gentle-release encapsulation system. The system slowly releases the salicylic acid to avoid causing any discomfort to sensitive, vulnerable skins while maintaining ongoing effectiveness.

This, combined with the pH of ~5.5, means Press & Clear ensures a skin barrier-friendly experience which can be enjoyed up to twice per day.

This innovative tonic offers a never-before-seen BHA balance between power and gentleness – all in a water-based, non-sticky and non-greasy formula.