Post by Beauty Snob Nicole
Many of our readers have asked about Proactive and if it is recommended by Beauty Snob. Well as it turns out I have been using Proactive on and off for years. Bottom line: I highly recommend it. Here’s the thing, I think your skin condition has ebbs and flows due to stress, the seasons, hormones etc. Sometimes you’re dry sometimes oily sometimes combination. The commercials and brochures tell you to use it every day twice a day, which sometimes you need to and sometimes you don’t. The bottom line is everyone’s skin is different and using Proactive in different amounts for your skin condition is the best way to use the system.
The system is really simple. It is three steps; cleanser, toner and repairing lotion. There are other products such as the refining mask in the picture, but I stick to the basic three step kit. I find using the cleanser in the shower is the best way to go for me. They recommend it sit on your skin for a minute or two which is perfect when you’re washing your hair. And I like to use the repairing lotion and toner at night as it can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Living in CA it is sunny almost every day! In addition to clearing up acne I’ve found Proactive gives your skin a healthy glow, but I must say I also use a heavy moisturizer in the winter. One of my friends is taking Acutane and her doctor recommended she use Cetaphil lotion, which is super gentle and won’t make you break out. I only use it a couple of times a week at night if my skin feels tight or uncomfortable. I also bought the little travel pack so when I’m away I can still keep up my regime. I had two late nights in a row a while back and I didn’t wash off my makeup or use my Proactive and oh my goodness did my face pay for it the next week! I know that is such a beautysnob faux pas to not wash your face, shame on me! But now I’m back at it and my skin looks great!
Proactive can be purchases a couple of different ways; online, over the phone, or from a kiosk at the mall. The kiosk locations can be found on the Proactive website. All in all I think Proactive is a great acne system and I would recommend it to our readers!
I found that the Proactive system also had the added bonus of bleaching those unsightly annoying facial hairs. I’d recommend Proactive but I tell all my friends to be careful with it as it did bleach some of my towels.
I have tried the system and I like a cleanser that removes makeup too. The cleanser left my skin still feeling dirty and with a film on it. I used the toner afterwards and I haaaate to see dirt come off of my face with a toner (it means my cleanser didn’t do its job). Sure enough, my skin broke out more from the system.
I used proactive for a while and I was happy with the results as far as my skin was concerned. Unfortunately, it also ended up leaving bleach marks all over my clothes and sheets (ruining some of my best pieces) so I had to stop using it.
I’ve used this for years and really liked it. the toner was too much for my dry skin though.
I use it in the morning only — more preventative than anything and it has been awesome. At night – different routing because of makeup.
I tried it once since I had gotten it for free (friend got it to give to some relatives out of the country but forgot, or something like that), and it didn’t work for me. It was too harsh and made my face red and blotchy.
But since they have the travel size packages, I think people should get them to try first and see how it works on their skin.
Also.. it’s sold in not only kiosks at the mall, but also in vending machines!!!
I got Proactiv after hearing high praise from a lot of different people.
I have mild acne and found proactiv dried my skin too much and as a result I found it harder to combat the dryness than continue using it to help with the acne.
I wouldnt recommend it to anyone with any sensitivity or slight dryness.
I got a prescription from a dermotologist and it costs me 1/3 of the price and is 100% more effective.