Teens can now face up to acne better with Safeguard’s Derma Sense

Many times we think of teen-aged angst over pimples and acne as superficial — that teens are just going through a phase where they are simply overly concerned about fashion and how they look. I come from a family with good skin genes. And my kids don’t seem to have that much of a problem as yet. But there is always that ‘wrong’ moment when you need to go somewhere and a zit (pimple) appears. For teen-agers, when that moment comes, it can be very distressing. The damaging effects of acne and pimples go beyond the skin.

As the Mom of 4 kids, I have had my share of “MOM!!!!! I HAVE A PIMPLE!” moments. No amount of reassurance would do when that ugly zit reared its head, many times at the wrong time – just before a school affair or a party. They stare at it forever, fuss over how ugly they are and have the most difficult time avoiding touching it every so often or worse, pricking it.
Worse than simple pimples is the condition acne vulgaris, simply known as acne. In a white paper released by the Skin Health Alliance, acne in adolescents aged 15-25 years old were documented to be as high as 91%. Skin Health Alliance is an independent not-for-profit organization working with international dermatologists, researchers, scientists and industry with the common interest of promoting healthy skin.

Acne vulgaris
(photo taken from a white paper by David Khoo of Skin Health Alliance,
“Acne Vulgaris: Causes, Consequences and Potential Treatment”


But as a mother who has had to pass through my kids’ teen-age phase four times, I can say that the greater concern for me is not just the external look of acne and pimples but its more damaging and permanent effect INSIDE — the self-esteem of teens.

To be permanently or temporarily scarred on the face is probably one of the worse things that could happen in a teen-ager’s life. I’ve seen teen-agers with really bad acne and I think of so many scenarios that can affect them. Bullies, for example, have been known to pick on looks as an excuse to bully. Height, weight or facial features — they could pick their victim based on any of these reasons. And in our society where great importance is put on looks, a teen or young adult whose face is scarred with acne can suffer from serious loss of confidence whether he is in an organization or in a job. Dr. Susan Estanislao, a Counseling Psychologist from the De La Salle University Manila says, “There is probably no single disease which causes more psychic trauma, more maladjustment between parents and children, more general insecurity and feeling of inferiority and greater sums of psychic suffering than does acne vulgaris.”

I agree with Dr. Estanislao. This is why I have always tried to remind my children of the importance of a daily skin regimen such as washing the face thoroughly and removing all makeup before sleeping. From my own experience, I also know that sleep deprivation and excessive stress cause pimples so the better the quality of sleep and the less stress, the better the skin. Of course, a diet full of fruits and vegetables give the skin a healthy glow as well.

Now that we’re on the topic of skin care regimen, I also want to share a recent discovery at a media event. Safeguard, the body soap that I’ve used since I was single up to this day, has just recently released a product called Derma Sense – an anti-microbial facial soap that helps reduce levels of skin bacteria and acts as a preventive measurement against pimples and uncontrolled acne. Finally!!!

Derma Sense comes in two forms: liquid Face and Body Wash and solid Face and Body Bar. For both forms, they have two variants as well – one for sensitive skin and another for acne-prone skin. It contains 20% less soap and no additives or dyes, making it very tolerable and suitable for the face.

The different Derma Sense variants

I was actually surprised by the prices because they were quite reasonable. The smallest bar goes for only PhP 55. The bigger bar retails at PhP 75. The 200 ml body wash is PhP 99. And a 2-pack version of the small bar costs PhP 100 (saving you PhP 10). I’m happy about this because skin care should not be a privilege only for those who can afford more expensive treatments or dermatological consultations. If acne and pimples can be prevented early on, at an affordable price, more teens are likely to have much better skin and therefore, a more confident life.

Derma Sense is available at Watson’s and leading supermarkets.

0 thoughts on “Teens can now face up to acne better with Safeguard’s Derma Sense

  1. Jane says:

    Hi Miro. From what I know, Derma Sense is NOT a substitute for really bad cases of acne and is not being marketed as the only solution for it. In fact, the makers say you still need to see a derma for acne. But it is supposed to be good as a preventive measure and for regular skin care regimen. I was told that washing twice a day for 8 weeks would show visible reduction in pimples. But don't wash more twice a day as it could cause contact dermatitis.

  2. Jane says:

    Hi Miro. From what I know, Derma Sense is NOT a substitute for really bad cases of acne and is not being marketed as the only solution for it. In fact, the makers say you still need to see a derma for acne. But it is supposed to be good as a preventive measure and for regular skin care regimen. I was told that washing twice a day for 8 weeks would show visible reduction in pimples. But don't wash more twice a day as it could cause contact dermatitis.

  3. Anonymous says:

    It definitely works. i'm using safeguard derma sense acne prone skin for about two or three weeks now, my pimples are slowly gone. You should all try it too.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Just bought it yesterday, i was told not to use it na since i dont have pimples but i wanna use it for prevention. Hope it works.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Hi. I seriously need help. I have been using it for one week now and it is leaving some marks. Nagpapantal yung skin ko sa face and parang mas dumadami pimples ko. At first maganda yung mga results then after one week after using it nagkaroon ng mga pantal and it hurts, mahapdi. Then small pimples started forming around my cheeks.

    – Is that normal or something like a reaction or is my skin too sensitive? Or did I over used the soap cause I am using it three times a day after going out, waking up and before sleeping?

    Thanks in advance.

  6. Jane says:

    Hello everyone. Sorry I can't respond individually to all of those who commented since you are Anonymous. But just some input based on the event that announced this product:

    1. This product, I believe, is better as prevention and complementary derma care than primary skin/acne solution
    2. The derma at the Dermasense event said that any time you experience problems, stop using product and see a derma
    3. Recommended use is only 2x a day for 8 weeks before improvement can be observed. DO NOT USE more than twice a day as you can also experience contact dermatitis.

    I appreciate this feedback because I plan to send these to Dermasense people.

  7. Jane says:

    Hi Ma. Theresa. I would not know what is causing your reaction to the soap but if you scroll up a few comments, I have a general response to similar questions from a few others. In any case with all treatments, it is always good to consult a derma as the outbreak may also be coming from somewhere else.

  8. Zeal Gamemaster says:

    Woah,,, Tnx Jane For Advice ,, im using Derma sense More than Twice , so i saw your post that Derma sense can only use twice a day,, Do you know ? what happen if you have dermatitis? please.
    Tnx Jane 🙂

  9. exodus says:

    Hello jane, few days ago i've started to use safeguard dermasense (prone acne) and i feel itch on my face especially on some piimples is it kind of reaction of the soap or is it not compatible on my face? Follow up question na lng po, okay lang ba na gumagamit ako ng eskinol with dalacin -C. Miss jane i'll wait for your feed back just call me Exodus. Thanks

  10. Jane says:

    For @exodus:

    Not being a derma, I cannot say where the itch is coming from. But if it persists, try a process of elimination. It could be that matapang ang Eskinol mo and it reacts with the Dermasense. So you can try not using that first and see if the itch goes away. If the itch still persists, best you just stop the soap and consult your derma about it.

  11. Jane says:

    @Zeal Gamemaster – During the Dermasense event, the derma already cautioned against using it more than twice a day so best to follow their recommended procedure. Dermatitis can only be handled by a professional derma.

  12. Jane says:

    Hello Jenny Lyn. Thanks for writing. Since di ako dermatologist, mahirap sabihin kung bakit nagka pimples ka. From what I remember, they said na usually yung malalim na dumi umaakyat sa surface ng skin so posibleng nagdedetox lang ang skin mo. Pero kung ayaw maalis for a reasonable time of use, better to stop using and check with a derma. Just remember not to use it more than twice a day.

  13. Jane says:

    @bird – Hello. The only reminder the people behind Derma Sense gave us was not to use it more than 2 times a day so using it only once seems fine. Just observe its effect on your skin.

  14. Jane says:

    @Dennis Piquero – As the dermatologist said during the Derma Sense event, different people would have different skin reactions. It is being emphasized that Derma Sense will not replace derma medicines for acne especially if the acne is more advanced already. It is always good to see a derma for those cases. But being an anti-microbial facial soap, it does eliminate bacteria that would start pimples or acne. I would call it a preventive rather than a curative regimen.

  15. Jane says:

    Hello Wilbert. Sorry for late reply. The people behind Derma Sense recommend using it 2x a day MAXIMUM. You may want to read my answers to the other comments on this post because your question is similar. Different skin types may react differently. Also, it is a complement to, and not replacement of, treatment by a dermatologist for really bad skin conditions like acne.

  16. Jane says:

    Hi Salman. I am not an expert on acne but from what I have been seeing on the web, peanuts seem to be a larger culprit when it comes to acne. Some sites recommend almonds and cashews as alternative if you are really a nuts fan.

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