Proactiv for Acne

[Amelie]

Hiya...

I've struggled with acne since a teenager. I've never had it severely, but I've always thought its a result of my hormones and therefore completely uncontrollable. In the last couple years it has become worse than it ever was as a teenager. (I am now 26). Probably due to stress from divorce, moving, job, etc. And I decided I had to do something...I just didn't know what, and I felt so helpless and hopeless about my face. Everyone around me seems to have perfect skin and I felt ashamed sometimes of even doing anything social. People my age "should" be over their acne by now, so I thought. So I kept thinking "I'll just wait it out, it has to get better soon". But, in two years...it has only gotten worse. Which really depressed me. Hopefully you're identifying with me a little bit...if you are, read on...

I almost bought Proactiv about two months ago and then didn't, because they just seemed so...commercialized. I don't like their website, and I HATE their celebrity "endorsements". Like P. Diddy has ever had bad skin, yeah right! But finally, just a couple weeks ago, I did order it. It was between that and this new "zeno" electronic gadget which is supposed to zap zits. Anyway...proactiv was a LOT cheaper than this other little gadget, so I ordered it...partially in desperation. It does have a money back guarantee and I was fully intending on sending it back within a week or two.

However...it has really surprised me. I just want to share that I am really impressed with this product. I typically had new breakouts in the morning and in the evening. It was hard to "keep up with" my face. I'd be working on healing existing ones, with new ones popping up all the time! Since being on this product for only four days, my "surface" stuff on my forehead is completely gone (small whiteheads right at the surface), and I have only had one new breakout, near the corner of my mouth.

I swear my skin is much smoother and as a result, looks more even-toned too. Its less dull. The cleanser (I didn't know this) is a scrub. I was very wary of that. Scrubs in the past have made me break out. But this one hasn't. I've just gone gentle and its done great. The acne and its scars and hyper pigmentation aren't gone yet, obviously, but I'm going to keep using it.

I would recommend anyone who hasn't tried it yet, especially women who think they are suffering from "hormonal" breakouts, to try it. You can't even imagine how much better I feel about myself already.

I'll let this forum know if my skin takes a turn for the worse, but so far, this system of products has worked better on my skin than anything else, including topical stuff and antibiotics prescribed by the derm. Interesting no derm ever suggested I use it. I had to find it on my own.

PS I got the 4-pc "moisture" system...I think that's really important, because otherwise this might dry your skin out a bit, esp. in the winter. I just keep putting on the oil free moisture, lightly, and my dryness has disappeared.

Also, I noticed that the cleanser doesn't remove makeup very well. I'm going to get some Dove cleansing wipes for the evening, and take off my face/eye makeup first, and then use the Proactiv cleanser. I've found the Dove wipes to be extremely gentle, although it does nothing to help acne.

Anyway, just a suggestion! Good luck to you all with this...I know how difficult it is.

Amelie

[lula183]

I'm 26 as well and developed acne around the age of 18. I've been cleansing and have changed my diet, but the acne persists. Out of desperation I tried ProActiv. It did nothing for me except peel layers of skin off of my face and create new blemishes. Talk about a nightmare.

I started taking large doses of Probiotics and have noticed an improvement in my skin.

Anyway, I've heard it works wonders for some people, but I'm not one of them...

[Amelie]

Hi,

I just wanted to follow up and state that I don't think its all that great anymore either. The product worked for me (as long as I used moisturizer) but I hated their delivery system. They forced me to buy every so many weeks and I want to decide when I'm out, not them! Also its very expensive.

Anyway, its not bad, but its not great either...the only thing I use now of it is the benzoyl peroxide cream, it definitely keeps cystic acne at bay (or helps anyway).

Karyn

[beachbuminthecountry]

I also tried this product and it made me break out more...if I were you I would return the product and just use plain old benzoyl perioxde...much cheaper...which works for me...make sure you gently rub it in until it disolves...also diet and probiotics and/or antifungals...once I changed my diet I seen big improvements...stress does make it worse..but diet was the biggest help...no sugar...very few simple carbs (pasta, rice, bread, etc..) I only have like 1-2 servings a day...lots of protein for me and veggies work...raw egg yolks really help alot...I have them just about every morning...but it depends on what your body can handle...like allergies...and don't forget your EFA's....