Beauty Question: Does Proactiv really work?
T. writes,
Hi Jolie,LOVE your blog. I was wondering if you’ve got any info/have an opinion about the Proactiv skin care line. I was thinking of giving it a try. Thanks
Hi T., Thanks! I’ve never used Proactiv myself, but I have many friends that used it in college and had fairly positive results with it. I’ve met the doctors behind the line (Katie Rodan and Kathy Fields) and they’re extremely intelligent and very eager to help people get clear skin. However, I’ve used some of their other products and found them much too harsh for my sensitive skin, which is what I’ve heard at times regarding Proactiv. I don’t know if you’re familiar with the line, but the main ingredient is benzoyl peroxide, which is the stuff that’s in Clearasil. Most acne products nowadays use salicylic acid/beta-hydroxy acid (with perhaps a little glycolic acid/alpha-hydroxy acid) mixed in, since both are much less irritating than benzoyl peroxide. How bad is your acne, and how “tough” is your skin? If you’re very fair-skinned with only mild acne, I’d recommend using something else (such as Neutrogena’s anti-acne products), since your skin will probably have a bad reaction to it. If your acne is a little worse, or on the moderate side, or if your skin isn’t particularly sensitive, then I’d go ahead and try it—you’ll probably have fairly good results, although it may not completely clear up your acne. If your acne is pretty bad, then forget the Proactiv and head straight to your dermatologist, since they’ll prescribe you some products that will work better and faster. Good luck, and let me know what happens!
March 25th, 2008 at 2:13 am
although it has nothing to do with the efficacy of proactiv, a major nuisance i experienced while using the product was a number of towels/shirts/pillowcases discolored to the point of ruin because of the line’s bp content.
March 25th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
I used proactiv for a while and I thought it was just okay. It worked a little at first but it really dried my skin out and then it just stopped working. I eventually wound up going the dermatologist route with much better results. (I have mild breakouts on my chin area.)
March 26th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Nadine,
I agree with you. Proactiv is a good product for mild acne, but it is not for everyone. If you have severe acne, especially if you have scarring, then see your dermatologist. Scarring from acne can be permanent and the best way to treat it is to use prescription meds to prevent it in the first place.
Love the new blog.
Sincerely,
J. Benabio, MD
San Diego, CA
March 27th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
You can find less-expensive alternatives to Proactiv on the website http://www.acne.org. It was written by a guy who figured out how to successfully treat his own acne and decided to improve the world by helping other people do the same. There is also a forum for people to swap advice and support one another in their acne struggles. He eventually started selling his own products, simply to provide a low-cost regimen in his recommended proportions, but he’s happy to recommend other products.
I thought my skin was pretty good before I tried his regimen (I only had occasional breakouts on my chin), but it’s practically perfect now, and much smoother. It took me a while to adjust to the benzoyl peroxide, which initially made me red and itchy, but now I tolerate it just fine.
PS: Congrats on the new website… so glad you’re posting again!
March 28th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
I had a similar experience to Emily’s. Proactive worked in clearing up my acne but made my skin really dry, then after about one and a half to two years of using it, it stopped working and then I went to a dermatologist.