Does this really work?!

Sep 23, 2015

Alyssa S.

So I'm in my first year of university and I've had enough of this whole acne thing... Does proactive really work?!
My acne isn't "bad" enough to get prescriptions but like I said I've had enough of this whole acne BS and I want clear beautiful skin.

Sep 23, 2015

Taylor G.

In my personal experience, it cleared me up for a couple months and then I developed cystic acne that took forever to get rid of and I still have dark spots from it. So yeah, bad experience.

Sep 23, 2015

Sydney D.

I tried proactive years ago and it didn't do anything for me. It actually did more harm than good. Instead of getting rid of my acne, it really dried up my skin, my face was red and flaky and there was a horrible burning sensation but all of my acne was still there. However, that was years ago and they may have changed their formula.

Sep 23, 2015

Angela J.

It does dry your skin out horribly from what I've seen:(

Sep 23, 2015

Alexis C.

It burned and irritated my skin, I would never recommend it.

Sep 24, 2015

Delara g.

I've had a bad experience too... It burned my skin and made my face very sensitive so when I got off it I had this massive acne breakout that turned into an infection and I had to go on antibiotics

Sep 24, 2015

M G.

I've hear of a lot of ppl having a bad reaction to it.

Sep 24, 2015

Kelly H.

I tried it years ago, it made me break out worse.

Sep 24, 2015

Kim M.

It never helped my skin clear up. just made it feel raw and sensitive

Sep 24, 2015

Alyssa S.

Thank you everyone! You've saved me from an awful experience and I'm sorry you had to go through that!

Sep 24, 2015

Lisa S.

Yeah it also burned my skin! I recommend Murad, Boscia, or Philosophy Clear Days Ahead! They are all around $20ish.

Sep 24, 2015

Reagan R.

Clarisonic. use it twice a day. you'll break out at first, but that's only because it's purging your skin. just stick with it.

Sep 24, 2015

Lisa S.

I also agree with Reagan. I've had my Clarisonic for 3 years now and it was the best thing I ever did for my skin. I don't waste nearly as much money on cleansers, toners, spot treatments, etc.; All I use now is my Clarisonic once at night (I use it with the Philosophy cleanser; but I always switch my cleansers up) and then in the morning I just wash my face with a gentle cleanser w/o the Clarisonic. I never had the purging/breakout period and my skin was pretty bad when I started using. Everyones different though, just make sure you get the right brush head (I use delicate), don't press to deep, and use it everyday.

Sep 24, 2015

Kat H.

I know a lot of folks who have tried Proactiv and the one common thing I've heard is that if you STOP using it, you break out almost immediately! I've also heard that all you really need is their spot treatment. I would suggest purchasing Nippon Kodo Japanese charcoal/clay soap (you can get it on Amazon for about $11). Ditto to the Clarisonic-type brush (doesn't have to be that one). The brush REALLY gets deep down into your pores for a proper cleansing!

For a cheap, at-home application, try using HONEY! Honey alone can be used as a mask and is effective in curing acne by cleansing your pores and not letting microbes grow, due to its antimicrobial properties. Additionally, the waxy part of honey helps keep the skin soft, smooth and glowing.

Simply spread a layer on your face and leave on for about 20 minutes, then rinse off with warm-to-hot water.

Tips: Try to use filtered honey, rather than traditional cooking honey.

Facts: Honey has antimicrobial properties, antioxidants and at the same time, is beneficially sticky. This stickiness pulls away the dust, dead skin, and microbes from the pores while the antimicrobial properties keep the skin from becoming infected again. The antioxidants in honey help make the skin look younger and finally, the wax makes the skin smooth, shiny, and moist.

Sep 25, 2015

Isabel S.

Proactive did work for me. I used it for over a year and the only thing that makes it work is the benzoyl peroxide which is the active ingredient. I would go to a dermatologist. it can be expensive but it's better than getting hooked on proactive and not being able to stop it because your acne will come back stronger when you stop.

Sep 27, 2015

Jocelyn C.

I am not throwing shade at proactive but I know multiple people that have tried this brand and once they stop using it they break out even more. I wouldn't recommend it. For you I would probably recommend a face wash that has atleast 2% Salicylic acid then as your face toner do raw Apple cider vinegar diluted with water in a spray bottle spray that on a cotton round and put it all over your face. What the apple cider vinegar is going to do is balance out the PH level which is oil levels and remove any residue that is in your skin. Don't do this everyday on your face do it for about a week straight then after that maybe do it once a week and the other days get another toner that works great for acne I know the noxzema pads are really good to tone the face with I use them and also I believe clean and clear has a toner that is also sea breeze and also make sure to exfoliate your skin with something that is a tiny bit rougher than your actual regular facial cleanser not to rough but that it has little beads in it and after exfoliating be sure to do a face mask. For a moisturizer be sure to get a moisturizer that also works on dark spots Clinique has a fantastic one! I use it all the time