Proactiv is a product that I have personally tested, and personally recommend, as I will discuss in today's review. It's the first product that's completely cleared my skin. Although some side effects do occur, I still highly recommend Proactiv. That said, it's in the "Tested & Recommended" products section of AcneTeen.Org, which can be seen in the right sidebar of this page, and any other page.
As you all probably know, I am a huge fan of Proactiv Solutions, but before I say anything else, this is my honest to God review of the product.
Before I go any further, if you're having trouble with Proactiv, I just created a Proactiv Questions and Answers guide, that you may want to check out.
I'm going to be upfront right now: Proactiv is a good product, but only if you know how to use it. I'll show you what I am talking about a little later on in this post. For now, let's talk about the positives of this product.
Does Proactiv Work? Yes. But it needs your help!
If I said that it didn't work, I would be lying. As you can see below, my before and after picture is pretty amazing. I mean, I am completely, 100% clear. However, this wouldn't be the case if I didn't do some other things along the way.
Proactiv works if...
Proactiv is almost the entire reason I am clear today. I say 'almost,' because it's about 90% of the reason that I am clear. However, I also changed a few dietary things along the way. If I didn't change the following things, I doubt Proactiv would've had the same amazing effect.
1. Stopped drinking soda - One of the major contributions to my clear skin is the fact that I stopped drinking pop. If you haven't read my post, Does Soda Cause Acne, I would definitely recommend that you do.
2. Stopped drinking energy drinks - Another contribution to my clear skin comes from the fact that I stopped drinking energy drinks. If you didn't already know, energy drinks cause acne, or at the least, make acne worse.
3. Started drinking 8 glasses of water a day - The final contributing factor to my clear skin is the fact that I replaced drinking those nasty cola and energy drinks with a good and healthy 8 glasses of water a day. Again, if you didn't already know, Drinking water clears acne.
If I didn't do the above 3 things...
If I still drank soda and energy drinks instead of water, I would still have acne. I almost guarantee it. If you want Proactiv to work, you really have to know how to work it, and how to make it work.
Making Proactiv Work...
I'm not just reviewing this product to say, "Hey. Buy it! It works!" I am reviewing it to give you tips that will help you along the way. Proactiv is not an amazing product, but it does get the job done. What do I mean by this? It works, but you have to make it work.
If you're drinking soda and energy drinks, or doing things that will exacerbate acne, Proactiv likely won't be fully effective. To make it work, you may have to make a few dietary changes. For me, I had to stop drinking pop and energy drinks, and start drinking water. You may have to stop eating fast food, for example.
Read the instructions! Be Consistent!
Read the instructions! Aside from making Proactiv work, you really have to read the instructions. If you're having difficulties with this product, try checking out my How to Use Proactiv Videos. Once you know how to follow the instructions, you must be consistent!
Be consistent! A lot of people get lazy and don't apply Proactiv everyday, twice a day. This is a major mistake and the #1 reason people fail with this product.
Negatives of Proactiv
As you can see above, it definitely takes a little more to make Proactiv work to its fullest. However, working a little harder for clear skin isn't even close to the most negative part of this product. That's right, I am talking about those Proactiv side effects and they can be pretty nasty.
Proactiv Side Effects
One of the biggest reasons that people don't use Proactiv is because of the side effects that can and often do come along with using the product. Trust me folks, they aren't fun.
Like I said, none of the side effects are fun to have. However, it all comes back to making Proactiv work for you. To prevent side effects, Proactiv created the Green Tea Moisturizer. I definitely recommend it. Feel free to check out the Acne Teen Store for more information.
Worse before better effect...
Because Proactiv's main acne fighting ingredient is benzoyl peroxide, your acne will get worse before it gets better. That's just the way it works. Also, for those of you who are health freaks, benzoyl peroxide is said to be pretty dangerous. PS: Did you know Proactiv's Skin Lightening Lotion is Dangerous?!?
Lack of Instruction
There's a reason my how to videos, which I linked to above, receive hundreds of "thank you" comments every single day. People just don't know how to use Proactiv. For instance, most people don't know when to apply Proactiv. Trust me, there is a correct and an incorrect time for application.
Time?
The most annoying thing about Proactiv is the fact that they don't provide a timeframe for their subscribers answering the always famous question, How long does it take for Proactiv to Work?? This is something I have always liked about Acne.Org. They'll provide you with this information for their regimen.
Overall Impression
If you use Proactiv correctly, it will get the job done. Remember, you have to make this product work for you, you have to be consistent, and you absolutely have to follow the instructions.
Overall, Proactiv will only clear your skin if you help it along the way. Annoying side effects and the "worse before better effect" will upset a lot of people who try this product. However, if you fight through it, you will be rewarded.
This is definitely the fairest review of Proactiv you will find on the net. I love it, but I see how people hate it. Remember, it works, but you will have to make some changes along the way.
For more information, I highly recommend checking out my how to get rid of acne videos. There is over 25 minutes of video footage on the exact things that I do to get clear skin.
24 comments:
baby, you are fabulous :)
you suck
I can give a better idea
1.do not eat meat.
2.no ice cream
3.no chocolate.
4.no sweating no exercise.
5.never listen to others.
6.Drink water with lemon.
7.do not use any kind of medicines.
8.u have to eat green vegetables.
9.try to drink bitter melon juice.
(u can read on net how to make bitter melon juice)(drink one glass a day if u drink much u will have diarrhea be carefull)
10.eat fruits but not all(banana,orange,water melon,apples)
11.never drink alcohol.
12.steamed ur face once a day.
13.no junk foods.
14.no butter.
15.avoid sex as much as u can.
16.make a paste of honey and lemon and apply to the infected area.
e-mail address jin.superb@yahoo.com any other help or questions u can e-mail me
I've just started using proactiv and I think thats great and helpful you went to the effort of creating such a comprehensive review.
Nadia, thank you. Stick with it, and let me know if you have any questions.
Tip: If Proactiv begins to irritate your skin, rub the 1st step around your face for only 10 seconds.
REMEMBER! Be GENTLE.
After 10 seconds, wash the 1st step also known as the Cleanser off your face. PAT DRY
______________________
Proactiv says to cleanse for 2 minutes. I have found this to be a little too long.
Cleansing for 10 seconds works even better, and will cause less irritation. Overall, the less time you cleanse for, the better!
Jin - As you have definitely provided some good tips, I have found that it's extremely difficult to clear acne naturally.
Let's face it, folks... We live in America. Unless you're extremely dedicated to eating healthy foods, you'll definitely need a topical acne treatment or an oral anti-biotic to become completely clear.
Proactiv is one of those great products that contains that benzoyl peroxide, and that will clear you up.
I'm not going to lie, it sucks having to pay for Proactiv, but it's definitely worth the cost for clear skin.
However, more than recently, I began using AcneFree. Like Proactiv, it also contains benzoyl peroxide. I'm interested to see how well this product ends up working for me. :)
when playing a sport should you keep proactive on or wash it off?
keep it on :)
positive?
i have a question
its serious, cause i think it does happen
but being sexually active cause break outs?
like right after or a couple days after i feel red lumps on my face, which hurt tremendously, if so should i stop and keep going with proactiv?
proactive is worthless all it does it dry your skin out and make acne more visible, it doesnt do anything for furture protection like it says it does, dissapointed and wouldnt recommend any proactive product to my worst enemy!
It works period!you cannot ever expect to get 100% positive feed back on a product,no matter how good or who made it,considering different skin types.i've spent thousands of Dollars over the years,buying designer products for my skin,but just after 4days of using proactiv,i started seeing results.my skin has not been smooth in about 7years,yeah,that long for me to find proactiv.the second time however i used it took my skin longer to adjust,i reacted sore,and if i'd given up,it wouldnt have worked.if ur patient with the product,it really works.for some,it takes just day,for others it may be weeks or even months.bottom line if you feel you can't cope,discontinue,but the product is one of the best for acne.if the world could notice such a significant chang on my face,then it's fantastic because my face used to be a pathetic sight that even got those that didnt know me asking "what's wrong with your face?"
Hello,
Thank u sooooooooooooo much for your explanations
on Proactive. You're the best !!!!!!!!!!
Brazil
I have severe acne.. Like it's so severe that the Doctors are wanting me on Accutane as soon as possible, i had an extreme flare out on my chin and the pain is almost unbareable.. I have big cyst like acne all over my chin and it's deforming my face... Badly enough I got ANOTHER flare out a month later on my left cheek near my nose and on my forehead.. My doctors failed to give me Accutane cause they messed up on the tests and I have to wait another month..
My dad was pissed and decided to get me Proactive, I've been only using it for 4 days now and I just used the refining mask friday night, and that saturday morning I noticed that my face swelled around my chin and I could barely open my mouth. I didn't use the refining mask since then and the swelling on my right side went down, but the left is still present, even though the swelling went down, I had to take Ibuprofen for the pain.
If you can give me some tips, or if you have any ideas that would help with my severe acne, I would gladly listen, and reply back as soon as I can...
Not only did it make my skin flake, but I sent back the system within the 60 days and continued to get more. I disputed the claim with my credit card company and contacted Proactiv. I was told by my credit card company that they would dispute the claims. Then I get billed by Proactiv for the missed amount. They say they got the first package, but must have "lost" or "overlooked" the letter, and that I have to pay the full amount because there's no notification on file of me canceling, just sending the package back. I am so mad!
nobody should have to pay that much for any acne medication because it is a health issue and not a lifestyle choice. we should all protest
have you tried the New Proactiv??
Proactive didn't seem to work for me. I used proactive for about a year with no change in my acne, so I switched to Murads, which once again was very unsuccessful. Actually Murads tended to cause me to break out rather than cure the break outs. Now I use a basic cleanser and get weekly facials, which does put a dent in the wallet, but helps my face probably better than anything I've ever used. I just discovered this website today, it's pretty cool. A lot of helpful tips. I wish I would have had a website like this when I was still in high school.
hahaha 15.avoid sex as much as u can. f that
Im getting ready to try Proactiv its on its way in the mail....i am not a teen i turn 30 this year and have only had my first breakouts in life over the last two years, which are mildly severe, so this acne thing is new to me, I can see how acne can ruin the life of a teen it is making mine hard for me. I am glad I came upon this website thru it I have learned alot and know what to look forward to thru the Proactiv process and such. Thank you for your blogging and help to others.
amber
I've been using it for a week and it make my face smooth but I'm breaking out and OMG it Burns bad. I'm gna finish this months supply see how the end results r.
Thank you so much for your helpful how-to videos! I've only been using proactiv for a week, and since I started using it the correct way a couple days ago, I've already noticed such an improvement!
Hi, I need some advice on acne treatment. I've used so many different products for the past five years. All of these washers/cleansers failed. However, I have noticed that everytime I began new products, they'd work good for a few days and then stop. Recently I bought proactive, hoping it would put an end to my acne nightmare. I noticed fter a weeks use the acne clearing up. After thatweek was when I wasn't seeing any more improvement, and acne started showing up again. However, I kept using it and remained faithful to the twice-a-day routine. I am still following all the steps and following the instructions carefully. I am on my third month of using proactive, and i am not having any success. The acne is only increasing. This is very depressing. The only thing I'm noricing is my skin is way more oily than it use to be. I am always working on it trying to keep my face clean. But why is my face getting so much more oily, and why did it stop working?
I am guessing Proactiv stopped working because it is the WINTER time. In the winter, your skin is more susceptible to dryness. Skin dryness increases oil production and causes more acne.
My suggestions:
Use a little less of the 3rd step, and be extremely gentle while apply each step of Proactiv.
You could try cutting out the toner (2nd step) completely.
Finally, get a great moisturizer. Acne.org makes an awesome moisturizer. Combined with JoJoba oil, you will be golden :)
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