Like many teenagers, those ugly, red, bumps known as pimples, zits, and blemishes routinely came to plant themselves on my face. When I would finally get them to leave they would so nicely leave their marks with redness and even some scars. I bought and tried a variety of different products by many different manufactures, but none of them seemed to work until I took a risk and signed up for Proactiv.
After watching all the infomercials, seeing the ads in magazines, and talking to a couple of users I knew, I decided to sign up and at least give it a try. What did I have to lose except a bad complexion? The price seemed a bit steep, but I figured if I didn’t like it I could always cancel.
Proactiv offers many different systems depending on your facial needs, but I decided to stick to the basics so I received the 3 piece system, which includes a cleanser, toner, and lotion.
I use the cleanser and lotion daily, but admit that I don’t use the toner as much as I probably should. The difference in my complexion has been amazing. Where I used to have redness (especially around my hairlines), occasional breakouts around my period, and blotchy spots from previous breakouts, I now have a clear complexion that is smooth to the touch. My family and friends who knew my skin problems have also commented on the difference they have noticed. I wish that I had taken pictures before and after so that I could prove the difference, but I was so skeptical at the beginning that I didn’t take them. Now I know better than to try a product without taking a "before" picture!!
While I use it, love it, and would recommend anybody to at least try it if your complexion concerns you, I cannot really explain how Proactiv works. So here is what Proactiv has to say about their system:
Mild enough to use every day, Proactiv gently cleans and unplugs your pores. Then, the combination of medicines penetrates deep into your skin to destroy the bacteria and reduce inflammation. Your skin clears without the drying, peeling, or chemical smell you find in other products. Our Combination Therapy acne management system combines finely-milled, prescription-grade benzoyl peroxide with sulfur and soothing botanicals like allantoin, panthenol, aloe and chamomile. Together these ingredients gently exfoliate your skin, unplug your pores, attack acne-causing bacteria, and soothe inflammation. It’s not just a spot treatment like most other acne products. Gentle and effective, Proactiv Solution is designed to be used on the whole face (or acne-prone area) every day. Proactiv leaves your skin feeling healthy and hydrated, not dry and flaky.
So there you have it! I have to say that my skin does feel much more healthy and hydrated since I began using the system. Still not sure or have more questions? Proactiv has an easy to use website that will address all your questions and help you find products to meet your needs. Now it’s your turn to take a chance. If it worked for me, maybe it will work for you too.
*This is most definitely NOT a paid advertisement from Proactiv, but was written only because I have had so much success with the system and believe in how well it works. If you have any questions for me please feel free to leave them in the comments and I will do my best to answer them.
Mel blogs regularly at A Box of Chocolates.
About Melissa
It must be so nice to finally find face care products that work for you.
I’ve been tempted to try Proactiv before but haven’t gotten around to it yet. I switched to another set of products last month and so far so good. But if it doesn’t hold up once summer is over – my skin care needs seem to change with the seasons – then Proactiv is next on my list.
The only negative I’ve heard about Proactiv is that it can bleach your hair and someone ended up with bleached eye brows. Have you run into this?
Oh my gosh…I have never heard of that happening! I definitely think it would have made me reconsider ordering if I had heard it first. I have not experienced any bleaching at all, otherwise I would have sent in for my money back guarantee and ran for cover or at least the huge, dark sunglasses. I did talk to one of my best friends who has really dark hair since she has been using it even longer than I and she said she hasn’t ever had it happen either. Hope this helps. Thanks for asking!!
I used this years ago during that horrible teenage breakout time…..and it worked!
I have had acne for about 15 years. I have seen the ads for Proactiv over and over, but thought it was just a gimmick. I finally decided several months ago to give it a try as nothing else has worked. It really works!! Within the first two weeks the redness that had always been present disappeared. I have only had a few breakouts, mostly due to not sticking with my skincare routine. When I do have a breakout, it clears up very quickly. The acne that was already present has begun to slowly clear up. I am very impressed with Proactiv. I thought it was so great that I talked my parents into buying it for my teenage sister. I have seen results in her skin, too.
I was curious, though….you have an ad on your site that touts Murad over Proactiv. Why would you have that if you know how well Proactiv really works?
I used Proactiv for about 5 months, until I had to stop due to major dehydration of my skin. While using this product, my skin became highly irritated and broke out much more intensely than it had before I started using it. Even using expensive moisturizer, this product was still too strong. Being a subscriber, I now have about two months worth of proactiv I will NEVER use because of how terribly this hurt my skin. My suggestion: if you have really bad acne and you want lasting results, don’t buy over the counter products. No matter what kind of regimen you try, I can promise that you will have much more success by seeing your doctor.