Has anyone used PROACTIV acne medicine?

[MamaLema]

I love Proactiv!

But I had to stop using it because I live in Canada and I'm not willing to pay for the cost of shipping, etc.

The price of the product, currency conversion, shipping and handling, taxes, and customs fees cost me $100 each shipment. Too much for me. Too bad because it really was working for me

 

[cynsaun]

I love Proactiv!

But I had to stop using it because I live in Canada and I'm not willing to pay for the cost of shipping, etc.

The price of the product, currency conversion, shipping and handling, taxes, and customs fees cost me $100 each shipment. Too much for me. Too bad because it really was working for me

I'm not sure if you have it in Canada, but there is a new product called Acne Free available in stores like Walmart and Target. It is supposed to be like Proactiv, without the price tag.

 

[llij]

Both my sister and I have used ProActive for years and love it. I have also been seeing a dermatologist for years and he told me to continue using it. My sister has very very sensitive skin and she ended up having an allergic reaction to it. She called ProActive and it turns out that they make a ProActive solution for those with allergies. I think it doesn't contain the Benzoyl Peroxide but I'm not sure. Anyways, she uses their solution for those with allergies.

Good luck to your daughter. I didn't have problems with my skin until I was an adult. Nothing like having hot flashes and acne at the same time!

 

[Miranda Danda]

No one has mentioned this, so I will.

If your daughter uses this at night, make sure she sleeps on a white pillow as the product will bleach it. The first time I used Pro Active at night, I slept on a green pillow. The next morning it looked like I had spilled bleach on it. It is because of the benzoyl peroxide in it.

Just FYI!!

Amen to this!!!! It has lightened my comforter (I pull it up to my chin to sleep) and my sea foam green pillowcases.

 

[SueM in MN]

My oldest daughter had pretty good skin with occasional breakouts. She been using ProActive for about 2 years when she started getting red blotches. She thought it was acne getting worse and she needed to follow the Proactive routine more closely. (She had actually contacted the ProActive number and that's what they said to do). When she did, her skin got big, red, raw, painful blotches. She is now allergic to Benzoyl Peroxide and has to read labels very carefully. Even a little bit causes problems.
Now, at least 18 months after stopping using it, she still gets blotches and her skin (which only had occasional break outs before using ProActive) almost always has some pimples (she's 23).

For some people it works well, but if you develop any problem, I would say to stop it right away. And, my DD says she would not advise anyone to use it.

And the "bleaching" problem someone else mentioned is something to be aware of. My DD ended up with bleach blotches on her pillowcases, towels, washcloths and the neck area of her pajamas.

 

[Louise-Montreal]

MamaLema- you can buy ProActiv from the The Shopping Channel which is Canadian. You can go to their website and order it- It is $59.00 plus 6.95 shipping and handling and you do not have to buy it every month.

Hope this helps!

 

[SDFgirl]

I've used Proactiv in the past and have been really impressed with it!! It makes your skin feel great...this is one time when the commercials tell the truth.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

Thank you! I am going to check with Dr. for DD. The Dr. does not feel that it is bad enough for her to se a dermatologist He said it is her age adn that she really does not have BIG breakouts. He is right, they are not bad but the blocked pores are bad and I am afraid they will get worse and maybe even get infected. She has tried lots of clearasil, stridex, oxi etc and has never had any problems except drying so I dont think she will have any reactions to the products. I will watch her. Thank you for the info about bleaching. I would never have thought about that!! She has a new bedroom set, comforter etc...(orange shag!) She would be very upset if it bleached out. Just a side note. I had all these blotches on the front of my shirts and I coul dnot figure out what they were from.....it was from the soft soap with bleach I was using to clean up the kitchen and when I leaned across the counter to clean the middle I was leaning and then when I washed the shirt the color was bleaching out!!! My first graders used the soft soap on sponges to make really cute pillowcases for their Moms for mothers day. Just brush the soft soap onto a sponge or rubber stamp and stamp the colored pillowcase. Let it dry for 24 hours and when you wash it the color bleaches out!!! It was fun. Ok back to proactive Thanks for all the info. I will check with Dr. tomorrow just to make sure. Thanks again.

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

Most of the over the counter products (stridex, oxy, etc.) are very sensitizing to skin. I recommend that you look into Paula Begoun's books/website. She gives reviews of almost every skin care product on the market and you will be surprised how not impressive some very expensive cosmetic lines are! I use her own beta hydroxy liquid and it is awesome for problem skin.

Beta hydroxy is a oil soluble acid and can get rid of the oils clogging the pores as it exfoliates, alpha hydroxy is a exfoliator for the upperlayer of skin. The problem with the some of the hydroxy products you can buy in the store is they don't have the right pH to exfoliate. Paula's has an appropriate pH to work. I use some of her products and mostly other products from regular stores that she has reviewed. I would make it a point to avoid any product with alcohol. Drying out acne prone skin wont get rid of the blemishes.

 

[MamaLema]

MamaLema- you can buy ProActiv from the The Shopping Channel which is Canadian. You can go to their website and order it- It is $59.00 plus 6.95 shipping and handling and you do not have to buy it every month.

Hope this helps!

Thanks

 

[MamaLema]

I'm not sure if you have it in Canada, but there is a new product called Acne Free available in stores like Walmart and Target. It is supposed to be like Proactiv, without the price tag.

Actually we don't have Target here but I would be interested in that product. I can't seem to boycott Walmart no matter how hard I try

 

[AnnetteF]

Just wanted to add that I agree with what some of the others have said about not liking this product. I have very sensitive skin and had minor breakouts, and I found these products to be extremely harsh! It felt as if it was burning my face off and I had to wash it off immediately. Can't say that it might not work for your DD though. You will never really know until you try, but try to invest as little as possible in it until you are sure.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Duh Lindsay. I didn't post about my experience.

I only use ProActive when I have a breakout, which is rare. A few weeks ago I had a chin-garden going on. I used the products that morning. The next day I was almost cleared up completely. It works. I just don't use it regularly.

 

[ckret01]

I see there are 3 products you can buy for like $39 or something like that. Do you suggest buying all 3 or just the cleanser? I am unsure if I would use the lotion of not ...is it really worth buying all 3 or do you find yourself using one of the products more?

Also, does it help clear up the red bloches after you have a breakout?

reading this thread makes me want to go out and buy it

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I never use the moisturizer. Just the cleaner and the toner.

 

[Melissa M]

Before you spend $40, you might want to check out the following website: www.acne.org

The guy who started this site recommends using a 2.5% benzoil peroxide cream, which is what Proactiv is. You can find it in a drugstore for a whole lot less.

 

[Miranda Danda]

I see there are 3 products you can buy for like $39 or something like that. Do you suggest buying all 3 or just the cleanser? I am unsure if I would use the lotion of not ...is it really worth buying all 3 or do you find yourself using one of the products more?

Also, does it help clear up the red bloches after you have a breakout?

reading this thread makes me want to go out and buy it

I use all three:

First, you wash your face with the Renewing Cleanser. From proactiv.com, "This unique oil-free formula contains smooth, tiny grains to gently exfoliate dead skin cells and other impurities, plus prescription-grade benzoyl peroxide to penetrate pores, attack bacteria and heal blemishes fast."

Second, you apply the Revitalizing Toner. "This refreshing, alcohol-free toner removes dead skin cells, unplugs pores and helps remove excess oil so your skin looks and feels refreshed. Soothing botanical agents gently balance your skin tone."

Last, you aplly the Repairing Lotion. "Our light, oil-free lotion contains finely milled prescription-grade benzoyl peroxide to heal blackheads and blemishes and helps prevent future breakouts. The advanced delivery system in Repairing Lotion is soothing and safe for your entire face."

Hope that helps! And yes, I ALWAYS use all three. It is like a system and each step is important!

 

[maci]

I have used it before when my face was bad, right after pregnancy.
It does work great!

I only use the cleanser and lotion.

 

[MickeysMommy]

I've used this for about 10 years and can't use anything else on my face. I only get occasional break outs once in a while but this stuff is great. I order my stuff off of QVC but you do have to use it as a ritual. I love it. Other face cleansers dry my face out too much. Of course, here in the Northeast, during winter, everything will dry out your face

 

[ckret01]

Does the proactive dry out your face real bad like Retina does?

I don't know whether to buy proactive or the other stuff thats over the counter AGGHH I hate decisions-lol