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Proactiv Solution Reviews
People have asked me about Proactiv® so much that I decided to try it so I could give my feedback. I found it to be surprisingly irritating and utterly ineffective. However, Proactiv is on the right track in recommending benzoyl peroxide, and specifically recommending it in 2.5% strength.
Where I think Proactiv veers off track:
- Cleanser: The Proactiv Cleanser contains scrubbing beads, and Proactiv recommends washing for 1-2 minutes with this cleanser. I am quite stunned at both of these oversights. It is absolutely vital to avoid irritation when treating acne, especially inflammatory acne—the kind most of us have. Scrubbing beads, and washing for this amount of time introduces unnecessary and damaging irritation, perpetuating the acne cycle.
- Toner: I think the Proactiv toner is fine, albeit unnecessary to achieve clear skin.
- Treatment: Over my 20+ years of benzoyl peroxide research and experience, I have found that for benzoyl peroxide to completely clear acne, people must apply it generously. “Use a lot!,” is my simple mantra. It is amazing what this simple act will do toward achieving completely clear skin. Unfortunately, Proactiv packages its treatment in a 1oz. container. The small size of Proactiv ’s treatment bottle leaves people skimping and often disappointed in results. Next, Proactiv combines their benzoyl peroxide treatment with moisturizer. One of the main reasons benzoyl peroxide works so well is because it is a drying and peeling agent, which helps prevent clogged pores. For this reason, it is a good idea to apply benzoyl peroxide without moisturizer, and let the benzoyl peroxide do its thing for a few minutes (5-15) before introducing moisture. Unfortunately, you don’t have that choice with the Proactiv treatment. Lastly, the treatment is heavily scented. I personally avoid scented products because they must be applied right under the nose, and tend to linger and leave me feeling a little nauseated throughout the day.
My suggestion: To completely clear acne, it will prove far more beneficial to buy a gentle cleanser without scrubbing beads, a large, unscented 2.5% benzoyl peroxide medication, and a non-comedogenic moisturizer. Then follow these steps precisely to achieve completely clear skin.
If you currently own Proactiv Solution products, don't throw out the Repairing Treatment. If you can handle the smell, it should work in a pinch, as long as you are generous with it. I would not recommend using the Proactiv cleanser. I would also forgo the toner until you’re completely clear. Then feel free to add it in if you’d like and see how things go.
As a final note, I am thankful that Proactiv hires celebrities to talk about acne. This helps reduce stigma, so thumbs up on that!
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E from Union City, CA
March 8, 2006
I've been using ProActiv for three days now (I have minimal pimples only but thought it would be a good program to "upkeep" my skin) and the left and ride side of my cheeks below the apples are sooooo itchy and dry. On the first day the itch started on one tiny spot, then it spread and now my face is kind of red =( Why is this happening?!!!! I'm not touching my face and started applying Shea Butter on it just to alleviate the itchiness but I think I'm going to stop using it and get my money back. Too bad, I was really hopeful too.
Educate yourself, people! from Las Vegas, NV
March 8, 2006
I have read a lot of the comments on this site, and people either love or hate proactiv. Before beginning any acne treatment, shouldn't you first be sure you have acne??? There are a lot of skin conditions, such as rosacea, that resemble acne, but don't respond well to acne meds. I have rosacea, and when it flares up, I look like a teenager! Acne meds make it much worse! So, I suspect that a lot of these people who say their skin is worse with proactiv, may not have acne at all. I recommend that you see a dermatologist for a diagnosis before spending your money. I have many friends that use proactiv and have incredible skin because of it! And if you're worried about the cost, try purchasing it on ebay, or buying generic which is available at Walgreens (and possibly other drug stores, I haven't checked!). Good luck!
AzunYT from Alexandria, VA
March 7, 2006
I've been using proactiv for about 6 months now. I did get the red itchy bumps in the beginning, that eventually went away. Now I have these flesh colored bumps, and they itch. They look like moles, but they are the same color as my face. And the bad part is they aren't going away! It looks terrible!
Rebecca from Detroit
March 7, 2006
Proactiv helped my skin clear up and it works, but it does burn your face. It makes my face all red. I have been using Proactive for 1 year and it shows improvement every day. Proactive makes your face dry sometimes, no it always does. Which is not a good thing. Proactive does not work for everyone, which sucks.
I have a friend who once tried using Proactiv for 3years and it didn't show much of an improvement
I have a friend who once tried using Proactiv for 3years and it didn't show much of an improvement
Anonymous from Australia
March 7, 2006
I used proactiv and it burnt a whole layer of skin off and i had to use a rehydration spray every half an hour to try and stop it from peeling off more. I went under a UV light at the chemist and she said it was appalling what it had done and she had seen other cases similar.
Jill from California
March 6, 2006
That's weird, it looks like everyone either loves it or hates it. I've been using it for about a month and my skin is doing better, though it's not completely clear yet. I haven't been using the refining mask as often as I should; sulfur products seem to work well for me. I've had severe acne since early adolescence and I've been using the Proactiv on both my face and chest and it's helping. The results aren't stunning but they're good enough that I'm buying more now that I'm starting to run out of the startup kit. If you don't mind paying a lot, I think it's worth trying.
TJ from Ohio
March 6, 2006
I'll admit i have never tried ProActiv. But I have a sister that has, she had acne problems. She swears that it has really worked for her and she definitely recommends. Who knows, I hope it works for me, my sister and I have basically the same skin type, and after checking everything out, ProActiv seems like the best stuff. I mean I'm already the last of my friends to have braces, the fact that I'm also having skin problems doesn't help.
Getting Ripped Off
March 6, 2006
Proactive SEEMS to work for the 1st week or two but then skin goes back to it's previous status or worse. Proactive uses big names to get their product out because if they didn't, nobody would buy it and they would'nt be able to continue ripping people off!!!!! I originally ordered my 1st package and then a few months later, realized they billed my credit card again. I called them and told them that I didn't order anymore because I don't care for the product. The cust. care rep said that all I needed to do was return the order unopened and that they would refund my money and cancel my acct. It took 6 weeks before they gave me my money back and ended up billing me another $45.90, 6 months later!!! I had to call them back AGAIN to ask them to refund my money because I canceled my acct. months ago. They told me to do the same thing. Return the product unopened and they would refund my money. So, it will prob. take another 6 weeks to get my money bac and they will still prob. try to bill me again in the future. So, I had to cancel my credit card and have a new one issued! This is a huge scam and I will make sure that I do everything I can to stop them from screwing other people over! Don't try this product. Go see a professional. When you add up the money that it takes to use this product. You are better off in the long run to see a dermatologist that will REALLY help you. We all have different skin types and problems. Leave it to a Doctor to help you find the solution for your skin type! :o)
me from Bucharest
March 6, 2006
Some of you people say that Proactiv works fine for the first time you use it.After that your acnee will become worse.
I do not know what to belive.
I have oily skin and because of that many pimples of course.
Plus, last year I had change climate from european cold and dry to an equatorial tropical one.
My face exploded with pimples. I used proactiv and I must tell you that it worked from the first 3 or 4 days. My face has never been as clean and soft.
I stoped using it; I do not have acnee really, just some pimples around my face ,but my face is oily again and not clear.I would like to try proactiv again,but now I am afraid
using it because your opinions about this product are so different.
I do not know what to belive.
I have oily skin and because of that many pimples of course.
Plus, last year I had change climate from european cold and dry to an equatorial tropical one.
My face exploded with pimples. I used proactiv and I must tell you that it worked from the first 3 or 4 days. My face has never been as clean and soft.
I stoped using it; I do not have acnee really, just some pimples around my face ,but my face is oily again and not clear.I would like to try proactiv again,but now I am afraid
using it because your opinions about this product are so different.
JK from Australia
March 4, 2006
I used Proactiv for 2 months, hoping it will START working like they keep insisting it will. I got more and more spots during the first few weeks which the customer service assistant claims is a normal procedure where Proactiv is 'clearing' out the under layer hidden pimples by bringing it up to the surface. Well this so called 'clearing' procedure happend for 2 months, non stop new pimples and more and more . . . Very upset. . . I eventually cancelled my order, it does not work.
Total results: 5,960 Viewing page: 447 of 596
