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The Immunocologie Vital Clay Spot Treatment is a much more natural approach to blemish busting. A spot-on clay treatment with two different types of mineral rich clay, infused with salicylic acid. If you want to know more about why spots happen and how you can take care of acne-prone skin, read the acne, spots and blemishes skincare guide here.
I was kindly given this relatively recently by Jason at UPPR who thought it would be something I might like and he knows how I and you my lovely readers, love our blemish care.
Immunocologie
If you’re not familiar with Immunocologie, they’re a brand founded by Karen Ballou. Karen had battled and won against Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a very aggressive form of lymphatic cancer. But in doing so, the treatment had ravaged her body and skin, so she looked – as many cancer patients and survivors do – for something more natural.
But being a skincare and wellness expert with over 30 years in the beauty industry, she decided to make her own, and with that Immunocologie was born. Her full story is here and there’s a lovely accompanying video.
Immunocologie got a huge amount of press attention a few years ago with their green clay mask, that this spot treatment is based on, having a 3,000 person waiting list on Cult Beauty.
Immunocologie Vital Clay Spot Treatment Ingredients
With a lovely clay smell but perfume free, two different types of mineral rich clay feature as the key ingredients in this spot treatment. Montmorillonite Clay and the widely cosmetically used Kaolin Clay. Montmorillonite Clay, or French green clay, is naturally very high in mineral content and includes copper, zinc, iron, and magnesium – all of which can be very beneficial for the skin. More usefully for spots, the two clays are excellent as sucking up and extracting; absorbing excess oil and gunk in the skin, drawing it to the surface and helping in the removal of spots and blemishes.
Salicylic Acid is also included alongside propanediol that in formulations like this, helps ingredients like Salicylic Acid absorb into the skin and become more effective.
There’s also a Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) in the form of Gluconolactone. I’ll be very honest and say I’m not too familiar with PHAs and haven’t really encountered them to date; however, they’re seen as the next generation of Alphahydroxy Acids (AHAs) like Glycolic and Lactic. Gluconolactone has shown to be a very effective chemical exfoliant and is the perfect addition to this blemish buster
The rest of the ingredients are reasonably standard including moisturising glycerin to combat clay’s dehydrating effects.
Full Ingredients List
Water (Aqua), Propanediol, Glycerin, Magnesium Chloride, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, Salicylic Acid, Methyl Sulfonyl Methane, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Montmorillonite Extract, Illite Extract, Kaolinite Extract, Citric Acid, Montmorillonite, Potassium Sorbate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol
Does it work and is it worth it?
If you’re looking for something natural, then I’d say this is one of the most effective you’re going to find.
I personally find something like COSRX AC Ultimate Spot Cream or Origins Super Spot Remover Blemish Treatment Gel to be a little faster acting and a little more effective, particularly the redness reduction and soothing properties of the COSRX. But these are by no means natural and filled with things many looking for more skin-kind alternatives would not like.
I would also say that it’s not the cleanest to apply and you will need to wipe or rinse your finger which you don’t need to with most invisible gel spot-ons and is also seen if you wear it out and about. Also prepare to find this on your pillow if you do it at night, again, it’s not invisibile.
Is it worth it? If you’re looking for pure efficacy and stand this Immunocologie gem next to every spot-on blemish treatment on the market, then I’d probably say no. At £30, this is not cheap and as mentioned, I think there’s more effective options out there – there is a huge amount of chemical innovation going on in this space; but it’s just that, chemical.
If you’re someone who, for whatever reason, is looking to rid your body and skin of as many artificial chemicals and ingredients as possible, then yes, this is worth it as it’s one of the most effective and gentle blemish fighting products I’ve come across to date.
What I like:
- An effective, naturally formulated spot treatment
- Fragrance free
- Works at drying up problem spots
- Soft and smooth clay
- Widely revered formulation
What I don’t like:
- Need to wipe/wash your finger after application
- Not invisible
- Chemical-based alternatives more effective
- Pricey for a spot treatment
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