Edited to add: Discount, discount, I’ve got your discount My gracious Thermaclear contact has set up a special coupon code for you my lovely readers for a 25% off discount – the code is BLONDEMOM and it is effective until September 4. Just apply the code when you check out at the Thermaclear website.

I’ve written before about being in complexion purgatory…well entrenched in my 30s, yet still sporting teenage acne, or zips, as Miss C calls them. Anti-aging eye cream and benzoyl peroxide make strange bedfellows, but both share space in my bathroom drawer. Now if only my abs would rebel like a hormonal teenager and revert to the days when I could wear a pair of lycra bike shorts and do them justice. That would be a cool trick.

When I was asked to try out the Thermaclear acne treatment system I was excited to give a serious skincare system a test drive. The acne clearing gel, which is actually more of a cream consistency, has been great at clearing up my skin without drying it out. The cleansing pads didn’t do much for me, but I’m an old school Sea Breeze girl. I do love the clarifying cleanser, though.

The piece de resistance of the Thermaclear system, however, is an FDA approved hand held device that enables you to apply a pulse of heat on a pimple. If you have a red angry pimple flare up on your cheek and you’ve got a once-in-a-lifetime job interview in a few days or you’ve scheduled lunch with an old friend, better yet an old boyfriend, this little device is a lifesaver. Just apply the heat sensor for two seconds (you can use it 1 to 3 times in a 24-hour period). It does give you a little zing if set on the high heat setting, but frankly it’s worth it to help clear up your acne in half the time. Also, if you want to get really cheesie you can give it the ole “blow the smoke off your gun” move once you’ve used it. Too bad it doesn’t come with a holster.

Of course I’m an every day sort of mom on a daycare/diaper budget so it would take some convincing for me to fork over $149.95 for a skincare gadget like this. But if you are willing to spend the money, it’s a great product that you can use without a prescription. The acne clearing gel is a more mom budget realistic $17.95 and it is definitely worth it.