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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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SARAH from Arkansas
December 25, 2005
I HAD SMALL BLACK HEADS BY MY CHIN AND NOSE AND I THOUGHT USING PROACTIVE WOULD HELP CLEAR THEM UP, SO THEN I WOULD HAVE PERFECT SKIN LITTLE DID I KNOW THAT PROACTIVE WOULD CAUSE ME TO HAVE SKIN HAD SMALL BUMBS, BLOTCHY RED SPOTS ON MY FACE, AND MY SKIN GOT DRY JUST AFTER 2 DAYS. IF THIS HAPPENS TO YOU, THERE IS A SOLUTION. INSTEAD OF GOING TO THE DOCTOR AND PAYING ALOT OF MONEY FOR A SOLUTION TO FIX THE PROBLEM I JUST USED GOLD BOND ANTI ITCH CREAM. I USED IT FOR ONE NIGHT AND IT CLEARED IT UP SO FAST. AND IT WILL HELP THE TINY BUMPS TO NOT BE SO NOTICABLE. PROACTIVE IS A PIECE OF CRAP. THE BEST WAY TO HELP ACNE
Anonymous from Bucks County, PA
December 25, 2005
My daughter skin tested the Proactive cleanser on a tiny patch of the side of her face. Within 5 minutes her entire face, neck and arms were lobster red and hot. She ended up going to the emergency room and taking massive doses of benadryl and prednasone for a week. She lost two days of school. Because the cleanser has so many ingredients, we have no idea which one actually caused the allergic reaction. There should be warnings on the product. We have heard of several other people locally who have had similar reactions.
Suffer from Canada
December 23, 2005
I have used Proactiv Solution for more than a year. It worked initially. But recent breakout is making me losing the faith. Recent breakout is bigger than before. Proactiv Solution helps little. I am going to try something else.
Dee from Maine
December 22, 2005
I think it works really well. But when i forget to use it i break out. But thats my own fault for forgetting. the smell is not bad at all and they do a good job
MJ from Portland, OR
December 22, 2005
I have been using Proactiv for almost two years now. I have slightly sensitive skin. I found after the first few months that using just the cleanser and the repairing lotion worked for me. The toner dried my skin out too much. On rare occasions when I run out and miss a week I almost instantly notice a return of blemishes. For how well it worked for me, the cost is fine. I admit though that I sometimes buy on Ebay to save money. I use a minimal amount of the product. A bottle of cleanser and a bottle of lotion lasts me usually at least 5 - 6 months. I don't recommend applying the product liberally. I use the face wash all over, but I only apply the lotion on my usual trouble spots, and I apply very lightly. I think if you over use this product will cause excessive drying and flakiness. Overall though I am really happy. You just have to give it a few months and try different methods to find the best for your skin.
Rachel from Minnesota
December 22, 2005
Proactiv bothers me a lot. It tries to appeal to desperate people like me who are sick of their acne by showing all these before and afters, celebrity endorsements, etc. that make it seem like the perfect solution for everyone's skin problems. It didn't work for me at all. The cleanser was rather unpleasant on active breakout sites and while I liked the idea of exfoliating unwanted skin away, it only seemed to create more dry skin and irritate my existing acne. It's a very effective bleach too, apparently--I ended up badly bleaching the washcloths of some friends I was staying with this summer just washing my face, and who wants to explain that it's because of your acne wash? On top of this dry, flaky skin from the wash, then Proactiv recommends using a smelly, sulfury toner? I tried that for all of a week and regretted having any faith in the Proactiv people. The repairing lotion is the best part of the package, but is still quite drying. I didn't see very much repairing, either. It's pretty comparable to acne lotions you might find in a drugstore in that it helps your skin slightly, but not enough to make you happy about it.
Don't get your hopes up with Proactiv. I stupidly kept using it for maybe 6 months or so (I think I went through three kits in all, and just tossed the toner) and I saw limited improvement in my skin. It's far too expensive and far too ineffective to be a viable solution. I'm giving Dan's Clear Skin Regimen a chance now and after a couple weeks of using his gel and some cheap face wash and moisturizer, I'm already finding it to be way more effective and way cheaper than Proactiv.
Don't get your hopes up with Proactiv. I stupidly kept using it for maybe 6 months or so (I think I went through three kits in all, and just tossed the toner) and I saw limited improvement in my skin. It's far too expensive and far too ineffective to be a viable solution. I'm giving Dan's Clear Skin Regimen a chance now and after a couple weeks of using his gel and some cheap face wash and moisturizer, I'm already finding it to be way more effective and way cheaper than Proactiv.
Ed McNug from Texas
December 21, 2005
I started using this just after highschool when my acne was pretty bad around my chin and forehead. After about a month, I noticed major improvement, and in a couple months my skin was almost all smooth. This kept up for a while, maybe about a year, until just recently I went off of it for a bit and went back on. There were MORE scars that showed up on my face than i've seen before and the acne is actually almost worse than highschool. My face is dry around my chin and oily around my forehead using proactiv.
I just ordered "Exposed skin care kit" so hopefully that will do me better. It seems the more I use proactiv now, the worse and worse it gets.
I just ordered "Exposed skin care kit" so hopefully that will do me better. It seems the more I use proactiv now, the worse and worse it gets.
Rachel from Kansas
December 21, 2005
I have been using proactive for about 5 months now and it works to clear my skin but i still have breakouts every now and then and it dosent help the scaring at all. I would recomend this product because it does work and i like it but i also use another product along with it so that could be why my skins so clear i don't know...i would recomed Biodroga moisturizer its a german skin care line and there moisturizer is amazing!!
Caroline from Malaysia
December 20, 2005
I have been using Proactiv Solution for 2 years and my skin look more healthy now. This product really works! May be how well it works need to depend on type of skin and the way/tips using this product. For me, Proactiv Solution really amazing!
Pemnn
December 18, 2005
I've been using proativ for only a month, and ive seen a really big difference. Altough, i still have some occasional pimples on my chin, but they never stay a long time. But my face is way clearer than it has ever been before. it really makes a difference.
Total results: 5,960 Viewing page: 476 of 596
