1. Background
A focus group participant, Shahzeb Khan (Primary Concerns: Acne/Scarring, Pores), was selected to test a complete routine for 4 weeks. Shahzeb had previous experience with prescription-strength treatments, including Adaplene (a retinoid).
2. Products Used
Shahzeb was provided with the following products from NOWHERE:
| Product Name | Usage Frequency |
| Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50 (Main Ingredients: Zinc Oxide, Purslane Extract 1%) | Used every AM. |
| Brightening Face Wash (Main Ingredients: Glutathione 0.5%, Purslane Extract 1%, Vitamin B3 1%, Licorice Extract 0.5%) | Used Twice Daily. |
| Anti-Acne Serum (Main Ingredients: Salicylic Acid 2%, Purslane Extract 1%, Tea Tree Oil) | Used in the PM on cleansed face. |
3. Results & Observations
| Week 1 | Rapid Results: Noted that visible results showed up within one week. |
| Week 4 (Acne Reduction) | Significant reduction in breakout frequency: from every 2–3 days before the study to once every 1 week to 10 days during the study. Felt the Salicylic Acid serum works better than steroids (referring to his prior use of Adaplene). Serum was consistent, absorbed well, and did not overly dry his skin. |
| General |
Rated the serum as superior to his previous routine (which included prescription retinoids). He now uses the NOWHERE Sunscreen more frequently than his previous brand. Overall Satisfaction: 10/10. |
Photo Timeline (Anti-Acne Serum Progress)
Photos taken under similar lighting/angle for consistency.
| BEFORE (Day 0) | AFTER 1 WEEK (Day 7) | AFTER 4 WEEKS (Day 28) |
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Negative Feedback: The Brightening Face Wash had a cream texture that he disliked and reported it as slightly sticky on the skin. The sunscreen was noted to take a while to absorb and left a white cast.
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Justification: The team noted that the Sunscreen's white cast is a common trade-off for high-efficacy, broad-spectrum mineral UV filters (Zinc Oxide), which are considered gentler and superior to chemical filters. The Face Wash texture is noted for future formulation refinement, with the current gentle and effective wash-off performance being prioritized.
4. Conclusion (Pharmacist’s Note)
The NOWHERE Acne Control Routine outperformed a previous prescription retinoid (Adaplene), achieving a significant decrease in breakout frequency (from every 2–3 days to once every 1–10 days) with zero irritation. The Anti-Acne Serum was well-tolerated, validating the balanced formulation and resulting in a 10/10 overall satisfaction rating.
📌 Recommendation: This routine is highly recommended for users with persistent acne who need a non-irritating, reliable alternative to stronger, prescription-level treatments.
