Proactiv Solution : Acne Treatment System

I started using the 3-steps, but now I only use the cleanser. The other products don't do much for me and are overpriced since I can get the same exact items from other brands. I'm 26 and have the same skin problems I did 10 years ago, so I've tried almost everything. It's not perfect, but I definitely notice that it helps. I also use it 1-2 times a week tops so I don't run into the problem it looks like many others have with my skin not responding well to it over time due to overuse. After 2-3 months of almost daily use, its effectiveness had surely faded. It was working SO well, it was disappointing when I discovered that was happening. But it's still the best product I've tried. Granted, I have atypical skin. It's dry and oily, sensitive to everything, and sporadically breaks out in unpredictable places. I also agree the company and customer service is among the sh*ttiest I have experienced, but still not the worst.

I ended up being in the best possible situation for receiving Proactiv+- a woman who works with my mom put an entire Proactiv+ kit on their work bulletin board for $80 (she paid $120 originally). She is 32 and after ordering Proactiv+ but before she actually recieved it, she did some research and decided to go with a different Rodan and Fields product line that she believed would be more age appropriate for her. But before she could cancel the order for Proactiv, they had already shipped it. So she ended up with an entire unopened 3 step kit with a whole box of dark spot corrector wipes and an unopened tube of the under eye brightener, and sold it to us. So I never had to personally deal with any of the issues other Proactiv users have had with the website, the company, the return process, etc. Probably the most amazing situation I could have possibly found myself in, seeing as I have been aware of this companys issues and the problems their customers have faced for years when it comes to prices, customer service, and all of that jazz, but I still have always wanted to try Proactiv, especially Proactiv+. I don't know if its because my issues are moreso with blackheads than pimples, and my skin is definitely combination, but my face has responded amazingly since switching over to Proactiv+. I can understand, though, how this skincare system would be incredibly irritating or ineffective for some people. This does NOT seem like an acne product line that can help a wide array of skin types and levels of acne. People buy it when they have extreme, chronic acne already and don't realize that slapping a bunch of treatments and chemicals on top of that cannot possibly end well. I wouldn't want to put these products on my face if my face was covered, and I mean COVERED, in blemishes. That sounds like a recipe for red, irritated, painful skin. I truly believe this product line works best for people with mild acne, and I believe that anyone who has anything worse than that should go to a dermatologist to discover different types of treatment before they drop almost $100 on an acne treatment that is only well-known because of the celebrities that have endorsed it for years. Do your research before spending your money on this product and if it ends up being the best choice for you, you should absolutely purchase it. Or hope that one day you end up in a situation like mine where you can get it with no strings attached :)

I was VERY skeptical in trying Proactiv, mainly because my skin was never really that bad. I had small bumps all over my forehead and sides of my face that drove me crazy. I gave in to trying it after my cheeks started breaking out while on a 3 week vacation. It was puffy and painful and I needed a miracle. Anyways, I ordered it online, which I don't recommend. There is NOTHING that says ordering once equates to a subscription... they also charged my credit card an extra 8 dollars from what the order total came to, and still couldn't explain this after speaking with 3 different representatives. I've been using it for about 4 days now, and the first thing to go was the icky cheek acne. The small bumps started disappearing and my forehead is ALMOST clear! It's amazing, I feel so much better. I reaaaalllyyy enjoy popping/picking way too much, and the Proactiv solution seems to speed the healing once I get the gunk out (especially on the cheeks). I've heard so many mixed opinions on Proactiv that I had to try it out for myself. For my mild case, it worked wonders. I can see why others would disagree if their acne was more severe, had sensitive skin etc, etc. It is a really harsh product, but it's doing its job for me, so for now I am satisfied.

It's a great product and I had amazing results for a good decade. But I've changed or the product has (probably both) because it just doesn't do the trick anymore. But I still recommend it to young people. I seriously had AMAZING results and got compliments on my skin all the time. I say give it shot!

I have been using Proactiv Extra Strength for five years now. Before I started it my face was more severe than it was moderate. It took awhile to work. I started it in January of 2005 and finally started seeing results in June of the same year. For the past five years Ive had light to moderate acne. Id go through good spells and bad spells. During bad spells I would have 5 or 6 big pimples a month. During good spells my skin would look (almost) flawless. During this time I also dealt with the Cons of Proactiv. I would permenately stain pillowcases and my PJ tops. Towels were also stained. While I have always been lucky enough to afford it, $25 a month for five years is A LOT of money. So if you dont have the extra cash that can be a bummer too. Also if you skip a washing, youre going to pay for it for the next week. I have very oily skin and I find that by early afternoon my face is a greaseball. ALL IN ALL my face is 10x better than it was before. Am I completely acne free? NO. But when you have hormonal acne like I do, this is as close as youre gonna get to perfection.

It does work if used routinely. In fact, I'm back using it right now after a terrible breakout from using an oral medication called Minocycline (which really didn't work for me). Now after not using Proactiv for 6 months I'm going to try it again to clear things back up. Hope it works... again!

This product has helped me manage my acne well over the last year or so. I still get the occasional break out and pro active has never completely eliminated my acne. good product over all

I hate beeing the devil's lawyer, but after reading a few of the comments I think I have to. Proactiv did worked for me. I always had light acne and I think I've tried almost every treatment out there and Proactiv was the only one that actually worked. I only use it once a day tho, at night, before I go to bed, so maybe that's why I don't experience the dryness. And I buy it from the local farmacy so I don't have to deal with the customer service (I feel that people complain more about this than the product itself :D) Anyway, just wanna let people know that there are people out there that have good experience with Proactiv.

I have struggled with acne for years. I had beautiful skin in my teens and acne hit me in my 20s. I first tried Proactiv 3 years ago, however, it did not work. My acne was too severe for this product and I needed start an acne program provided by my doctor (read my blog for the amazingly effective, inexpensive treatment I used! It works and I want to share my secret!) that cleared my skin. I started to try Proactiv again a couple of months ago. I was reluctant so I only purchased Step 1 - Cleanse from my local stall and I continued using my other products rather than the 3 Step System. My acne got worse (this is normal, the skin 'renews' itself by drawing out imperfections under the skin) and started to clear after about a month. When I had almost run out of the face wash and my other products, I purchased Proactiv. It is definately working!! It is clearing the minor blemishes and is great as a management program after the doctor's treatment cleared my severe acne. I do experience drying of the skin, but seems mild after using such high % BP in my previous treatments. I just apply oil free moisturiser over the repair lotion. I cannot stress enough that you SHOULD NOT use Proactiv as a means of make up removal. You are not cleansing your face effectively if you are trying to remove make up. Wash your face with a non-comedogenic face wash, like Cetaphil to remove make up, and a mild eye make up remover. That way, your skin is make up free and is cleansed deeper when using Proactiv. I know how harrowing acne is, be patient when starting your treatment. Acne treatments not only help current blemishes but draw out all hidden imperfections (those ghastly bumps). Your skin will get worse before it gets better, so start your treatment and wait a few months before giving up on the product! You also need to review your make up.. details on my blog of a great product! Hope this has helped :) Let's win this fight against acne!

ProActiv really works for acne, especially severe acne like I have. It clears up my skin too. But the bottom line is that you have to wash your fae with just plain warm or hot water to open up your pores. Note: my dad gave me this to use (I am 14) so I did not have to pay