I can’t even tell you how many Proactiv commercials I’ve seen in my life.
Well over 1,000 I’m sure. I’m assuming you can say the same. I can remember back as far as a middle-schooler, watching the commercials and hoping that wouldn’t happen to me.
While I can’t say I’m even remotely close to a severe Proactiv case, I’ve definitely had my fair share of skin issues, as you guys know.
Somewhere between several failed dermatologist prescriptions and jumping off of a bridge, I decided I should try Proactiv. After all, nothing else was working, so what did I have to lose?
Figuring many of you are in the same predicament, I wanted to share my experience with the product that so many people have been buzzing about for decades.
Does Proactiv really work?
The short answer: Yes, it really does. I’d probably give it a 7.8 out of 10. That’s very specific, I know. Bear with me.
The long answer:
I started using this right around the time I began using the Illumask. (If you haven’t read my review on it, I’d highly encourage you to do so here.) And no, just like Illumask, Proactiv did not ask me to write this review, either.
I think both together are what has truly helped my skin the most. However, I’ve alternated gone off and on of both to truly confirm that they were working best together, and they really were.
When I first started Proactiv it KILLED my skin. It made it so horribly dry that I remember looking in the mirror and almost canceling on the friend I was supposed to meet for drinks that night. When I used the face wash in tandem with the pore targeting treatment, the mask, and the lotion, it literally felt like my face was going to MELT.
Then I stopped using the mask all together, and started using the face wash once per day instead of twice, and it got better. It only took a few days to notice a small difference in my skin. It got used to it, and stopped being so dry all the time. (When I need it, I use the Glossier Moon Mask for added hydration.)
It really has made a difference in my complexion. I used to break out on my forehead and my chin and I can’t even remember when I broke out in either of those areas in the past few months. I still have problem spots with the sides of my face, but it’s nowhere near what it used to be. I think a product would have to completely clear my breakouts and give me baby-smooth skin in order to receive a 10. So, relatively speaking, my score of 7.8 is a pretty great one.
All in all: It’s absolutely worth a try. What do you have to lose? I think you’ll be happy with the results!
I used Proactive when I first started having breakouts at like 13 years old (and after seeing all those commercials!) and I had the same problem with it killing my skin. I used it for a few years just because at that age I didn’t know anything else to use, and then stopped. Now in my twenties my acne is coming back with vengeance, so I think it might be time to try it again! Thanks for your honest review!
Always, Hunter
Haha after all you guys saying you used it in high school, I wish I had tried it sooner! Although my skin has been worse in my old age than it was as a teenager ;-P You should give it a go again and see if it helps!!
I love how candid you are about your skin! I’ve had problems with breakouts since I was a little girl and tried Proactive in middle school. It definitely worked for a while and then I needed something a bit stronger. I’m definitely thinking about giving it another shot now that I’m not a walking hormone anymore! All this make-up & the numerous photo shoots I’ve put myself through has kinda taken a toll!
Katharine
http://www.paytington.com
Yes, it’s definitely worth giving it another shot! I’m really happy with it so far! You should give the Illumask a go as well!
I only use the proactive face wash for a similar reason. The combination of the three products that they give you in the classic package are far too drying to my skin. I use the Clarisonic brush in combination with the proactive each night before bed and it seems to be doing the trick. The added bonus of only using one of the proactive products instead of the whole kit is that you can actually buy it individually on Amazon and save a lot of $$$! This review is definitely accurate to my experience. I would say 7.8 is my rating for it as well. Although my face being 100% clear would be the greatest thing ever, I’m impressed with the results I’m getting with just one product.
That’s very true! Yeah, it’s really drying! I’ve actually been really nervous about using both the Proactiv and my Clarisonic (I LOVE my Clarisonic!) as I thought it would be too much exfoliation, but that’s reassuring to know it’s working great for you!!
I love that you said it felt like your face was going to melt. I felt the same way when I used proactiv! It worked pretty well for me too when I used it on and off a few years ago, but I felt like my face was going to crack open or fall off. So dry and so much burning 🙁 I use the 3 step acne prone system from Clinique plus their oil-free moisturizer twice a day now and I absolutely love it. It’s freakishly(!) gentle on my skin and has been a 9 out of 10 in clearing things up. As someone who often refused to leave my house because of horrible skin, I think it’s a miracle product. I’ve been using it for the past year and this has actually been the first week of my life that I’ve gone out everyday with no makeup on!
Danielle | D is for Dreamer
OMG I need to try this immediately!! Thank you Danielle!!
I used Proactiv for 15 years, it was the only thing that kept the breakouts away and evened out my skin tone. Then about a year ago I switched to Rodan + Fields Unblemish line (made by the dermatologists that created Proactiv) and I love it so much. It is so much gentler on my skin and keeps the breakouts away. And the Oil Control Lotion is to die for, especially in the summer. It’s amazing, you should try it! I’m such a believer in the dermatologists and their products I became a consultant 🙂 Check it out at http://www.marionkennedy.myrandf.com.
I can explain *all* of this. 🙂
My specialty is adult acne, and in particular, analyzing and helping each individual case, in my skincare salon and with my online consultation service. I’m very much in favor of Benzoyl Peroxide, which is what the entire ProActiv line is based on, and have studied it extensively. It’s not appropriate for every acne problem, but there are actually certain types of acne that won’t clear without it.
Benzoyl Peroxide basically does 3 things. It forces oxygen into pores, which kills the bacteria. Next, it dries up excess oil, and then, exfoliates from inside the pore out. Pores are kept clear of infection and oil-and-dead skin cell build-up. It’s the only acne medication that does all three without killing good bacteria, like most other antibiotics for acne, and without making your skin fall off the way Retin-A is supposed to.
The reason why it’s so irritating is because when too high a dosage is used, or when the product is applied too often, its drying and exfoliating actions can happen too much for the skin to handle at that time. But when used properly, it can clear up acne beautifully before switching to a long term regimen of maintenance, involving gentle but thorough cleansing, toning, hydrating with non-clogging AM and PM moisturizers, and either antioxidant or anti-inflammatory serum with clay mask once or twice a week.
So, when BPO is started out small, as the skin gets a teeny bit dry and slowly exfoliated, the skin builds in strength, eventually requiring an increase in application time. For instance, some people require it to be applied for a few hours and then rinsed off, then when it doesn’t irritate anymore, more hours are added, then every other night, then every night, etc. Eventually the dosage needs to be increased (which isn’t possible with ProActiv, but you get the picture).
Now, the 10-20% *non*-clearance you all are still experiencing? Well, that piece of the puzzle has to do with the causes of your breakouts that either are not cleared by BPO, such as simple inflammation from things like pressure and friction from phones or constant rubbing with hands or towels, or are due to continuing congestion from things like leaning on a hand with pore clogging hand cream on it, sleeping on pillow cases full of the pore clogging film left by dryer sheets and fabric softener, pore clogging makeup and other skincare, or pore clogging hair styling product.
There’s a lot more to acne clearing than medication, let’s put it that way. 😀
Hope this helps (and that it wasn’t too long… lol) ! 🙂