I used
EC27 Guava Soap, which I bought at
RCC Amazing Touch clinic, for more than 4 years. And this is my review of the soap and of other RCC Amazing Touch products and services.
It was I think 2005 when my Aunt told me of a soap that she heard over the radio. All she could remember was it's called guava soap and can only be purchased at Amazing Touch clinics. I guess she told me this because she knew my battle with acne. I searched for the name of the clinic first and found out that they have branches at some SM malls. Good thing, there's one that's quite near our place.
When weekend came, I went to SM Southmall in Las Pinas to look for the RCC Amazing Touch clinic. I found it on the lower ground floor just beside Onesimus. It's not a facial nor derma clinic, like what I thought initially, but a warts-and-moles-removal shop. They perform non-surgical removal of moles, warts, skin tags and other unwanted skin marks using a Filipino-invented herbal solution derived from cashew. They also sell DIY removal kit if you want to do the procedure yourself.
I also noticed that they sell many soap products like papaya, glycerin, whitening, tea tree, etc. I inquired about the guava soap and the person at the front desk asked what's my concern. When I said that I want to clear my pimples, she told me that they have an anti-acne kit and asked if I want to try it instead. She said the magic word "anti-acne", of course I want to try it.
I forgot what exactly and how many items does the kit contain, but I'm sure it includes a tea tree soap and an antibacterial lotion. I think the third item is an antibacterial cream and I'm not sure if there is a fourth item. She told me how and when to use each product and to come back to the clinic after 2 weeks for a facial cleaning. Yes, they also offer facials and back scrubbing/cleaning. I remember the kit cost more or less P500 and gave me that hope that it will get rid of my acne.
After two weeks of meticulously following the instructions and using the products on my face, I did notice a significant difference. Most of my pimples, particularly the smaller ones, have dried up. And there are no new ones coming out. So I eagerly went back to RCC Amazing Touch, excited to have my facial.
Their facial includes a massage, pore cleaning, and tightening mask. The facial massage was very relaxing, rejuvenating and I felt like my skin was lifted slightly. The pore cleaning was, as usual, painful especially because I have MANY blackheads. The mask was just like any other tightening masks. But what I really love was the products that they used on my face. They smelled really good. They also use new sets of facial foams every session.
I went back there a few more times to have my facial (every two weeks for 5 sessions) and replenish my stock. After 3 months, my face was 90% clear already. There were one to two zits here and there, but that's it. All that's left were the dark pimple scars.
When most of my pimples have already dried up, they recommended that I use EC27 guava soap instead for maintenance, because the tea tree soap can be too drying for the skin and because the guava soap has whitening effect that will help fade my dark marks. They also said that I should continue using their antibacterial lotion to prevent future breakouts.
They said the guava soap is an all-around health soap. It has antibacterial, antiseptic and whitening properties that can cure 27 skin problems including acne, allergies, fungal infections and even Psoriasis. While the antibacterial lotion, that looks like a crystal-clear skin toner, has Clindamycin, a proven pimple-fighting active ingredient.
The guava soap may sting especially if you leave it on your skin for too long. The antibacterial lotion may sting a little too (but not like a harsh astringent type of sting) and redden your face for a while. But it will go away after a few minutes.
And for 4 years, these two products are the only ones that I used on my face and have effectively controlled my pimples. Somewhere in those 4 years, I tried to use
Burt's Bees Garden Tomato Soap and developed strange and alarming bumps on my face. I switched back to using guava soap and swore never to try another soap again.
But the guava soap is not a beauty bar. It won't moisturize your skin, won't make it glow and I'm a little dubious of its whitening effect. It was just effective in preventing my pimples, especially when used with the antibacterial lotion.
The antibacterial lotion is RCC Amazing Touch's own product. It looks like clear water and you have to use it after you cleanse your face (like a toner). But sometimes, when I'm too tired to wash my face, I just use this water-lotion and a cottonball to wipe the dirt and oil off my face. I also use it as a spot treatment. Whenever I see or feel a pimple starting to form, I soak a small cotton ball with a few drops of the antibacterial lotion and press it against the pimple-wannabe for at least 5 minutes. It will sting and will leave a red patch but when I wake up the next morning, that spot will be pimple-free.
But a few months ago, I stopped using these two already. Okay, if they were effective, why don't I use them anymore?
Early this year, I noticed the guava soap and the antibacterial lotion seem to have lost their potency. Either the manufacturers' changed their formulation or my pimples have gotten used to them and developed immunity. Although some will argue that if a product is effective, it will be effective forever, I believe the reason is the latter.
Another reason is the guava soap, being not a beauty soap, did not improve the overall quality of my skin. I am not fond of using moisturizers or any beauty creams. And because the guava soap offers no moisturizing, glowing and toning benefits, years of using it left my skin dry and dull and not really fairer than before. That's why I decided, despite my promise to myself, to try other soaps.
I will probably purchase the antibacterial lotion in the near future, once I feel the immunity period has expired. But I think I have found some good soaps to replace the guava soap for a long time, if not permanently. Or maybe, I'll go back to using it again when my pimples becomes uncontrollable again.
And that's it, my review of EC27 Guava Soap and RCC Amazing Touch's Antibacterial Lotion. As with my other facial product reviews, you have to bear in mind that not all products will have the same results for everyone. Our skin types are different, the products that are effective for me may not be effective for you and vice versa. But I try to make every review as objective and detailed as possible so it can help you decide if you'll try it or not.
