Proactiv

You’ve probably seen an infomercial, magazine ad, commercial, or other type of advertisement for the Proactiv skin care line. It seems Proactiv is everywhere from kiosks in the mall to vending machines at the airport. And while your favorite stars may have used it to clear up the one pimple on their face, will it really work for you?

 For me, problematic skin started in middle-school. I had black heads, white heads, and large lesions that were both painful and embarrassing. I saw an infomercial one night for Proactiv and convinced my mom to buy it for me. I used the products faithfully, and had great results for quite awhile. But after a few months, my acne returned and this time it was significantly worse. I talked with some skin experts who told me becoming immune to Proactiv’s ingredients was not uncommon, and while it may work for a period of time typically the acne will return.

 I’m not saying this will be the case for everyone that uses Proactiv, but this was my personal experience with the product and I know several other people who experienced the same pattern.

How Does Proactiv Work?

Proactiv is a three step system, which is used both morning and evening. Step one is the renewing cleanser which works to remove dirt, oil, and dead skin cells. Dampen face then massage a dime sized amount into skin for about two minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with a clean towel.

 Follow the renewing cleanser with the revitalizing toner. Use a cotton ball to apply this all over the face. The last step is the Repairing treatment, which is the real acne killer. Use fingertips to apply to affected areas of the skin. Do not rinse the repairing treatment off.

Proactiv Ingredients

Renewing cleanser: Active Ingredient: Benzoyl Peroxide, 2.5%Inactive Ingredients: water (aqua), magnesium aluminum silicate, glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate, disodium PEG-12 dimethicone sulfosuccinate, sorbitol, dimethyl isosorbide, tridecyl stearate, neopentyl glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, polyethylene, cetyl esters, anthemis nobilis flower extract, sodium hyaluronate, sodium PCA, xanthan gum, tridecyl trimellitate, propylene glycol, Imidazolidinyl urea, methylparaben, propylparaben, fragrance (parfum)

Revitalizing toner: Ingredients: water (aqua), glycolic acid, hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) extract, anthemis nobilis flower extract, rosa canina fruit extract, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, sodium PCA, panthenol, glycerin, propylene glycol, allantoin, polysorbate 20, hydroxyethylcellulose, sodium hydroxide, benzophenone-4, tetrasodium EDTA, imidazolidinyl urea, methylparaben, propylparaben, fragrance (parfum), blue 1 (CI 42090), yellow 5 (CI 19140)

Repairing lotion: Active Ingredients: Benzoyl Peroxide, 2.5%Inactive Ingredients: water (aqua), ethoxydiglycol, cyclotetrasiloxane, propylene glycol, cetearyl alcohol, dimethicone, glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate, cyclopentasiloxane, panthenol, allantoin, xanthan gum, ceteareth-20, carbomer, triethanolamine, diazolidinyl urea, methylparaben, propylparaben, fragrance (parfum)

Is Proactiv Worth It?

Many people have been pleased with the results Proactiv has given them. Plus Katy Perry uses it so it must be awesome, right?

Don’t let fancy advertising fool you. Proactiv will initially clear up your skin, but I wouldn’t expect long term results. If you’re OK with this, Proactiv might be worth a try. If not look here for some acne fighters we suggest.