I never had acne as a teenager. In fact, I didn't start to get acne until I was about 24 and even then, it would only be a few zits here and there. I decided to use proactiv because my bf had been using it for years and I guess I thought I would try it as well. I should have known better though because his face STILL breaks out and he get's those awful swollen pimples that takes weeks to go away. I've also noticed that when he misses a day of using Proactiv, his face breaks out even more. Anyways, I did start to use Proactiv last summer when I began to break out and noticed that it did burn/sting at first and over time it started to clear up my skin. However, if I missed a day or ran out of one product... on came the zits and pimples! yikes! So then I'd have to run out and buy more product ASAP. Evenutally I started using less and less of the product and my skin was clearing up on it's own. I even went back to using my regular Olay face wash and Olay lotion. It's been a year and just last week I began to break out again... I ran right to the Proactiv. Low-and-behold it caused a major reaction and even more pimples. I've stopped using all Proactiv products because the main ingrediant Benzol Peroixde is terrible for people with sensitive skin (which I clearly have). After spending 4 days at home crying and feeling completely ugly, I decided to consult a dermotologist. His first reaction was that I can created servere acne using the Proactiv products. He perscribed an oral medicince called Minocycline. I've been doing a lot of research on this product and it seems as though it COULD work but has very serious side effects. I haven't started taking it yet becuase I'm worried about the side effects. So for now, I've been washing my face with Cetaphil Antibacterial Bar Soap which doesn't cause any kind of reaction and does not contain any alcohols in it. Also, I have been using an oil-free (non-comedogenic) with an spf 15. For now, it's been working ok... I'm still very depressed about the way my once smooth and pimple free face looks and now I might even be left with scars on my face from where I broke out so badly. :(
I can't say that I will ever recommend this product to anyone.

This product doesn't even work that well. I came across this acne free kit in walmart, and bought it, even though i figured it would suck. It is the best thing that ever happened to my skin. It's 20 dollars less than proactiv, you don't have to buy online and wait for it and also pay shipping and handling, and it all together works amazingly. For anyone with acne or anyone who's wasting their $ on proactiv, buy acne free at walmart, target, your grocery store, w/e. It's amazing

I hear alot about the negative on Proactiv Solution.
One: it is a scam from online orders setting up auto shipments and people don't know it is happening. I checked the online ordering and it does tell the consumer about the auto shipments. People just don't read:their fault not the company's fault. I have also heard it causes more acne to occur. Incorrect. According to my Doctor and info I have read. Acne is not curable except basically by body chemistry changing. All topical products can control acne if it works for individuals but isn't designed to cure acne. Acutane is the only thing that comes close to that and it is quite dangerous and doesn't always work. Acne is not age descriptive: all ages can develop acne.People are always ready to critize but fail to do the research.All products have to be used as directed and not all skin types are equal.Skin changes with time and sometimes a product will work and in time change.I work with all kinds of skin care products.They can't all be lumped together in one catagory.People have to try things to work for their individual issue.Ingredients that usually control acne can have a drying effect and can be too harsh for sensitive skin especailly if used too often or too much at a time.If a person has a reaction to an ingredient,they should be very cautious using any product containing that ingredient.Also don't mix different product companies for skin care as the ingredients can cause adverse reactions when mixed.I know many people who use Proactiv just to keep their skin clean and in good condition in all age groups.Many senior citizens I know love the product.So complaints and raves are based on each INDIVIDUAL as far as results.That doesn't mean it is a bad product but it is the most recommended acne product on the market.Acne is caused by bacteria and oil collection in pores so for anyone afflicted with acne, my first advice is stop using products that have an oil base,use oil free products from makeup to creams to sunscreens. Find what works for you and stick with it until it stops working - and yes things that work for a while do sometimes stop working because body chemistry changes.To let you know Proactiv has other formulas for skin that doesn't clear up or is very sensitive or has a reaction to the regular formula that most people use start with.Most people don't know that.I hope this sheds some light on all areas positive,negative and in between.What works for you may not work for someone else and visa versa.That doesn't make a product bad just not right for you. It may work for someone else.

this productworked realy well at first, but then i started getting red splotches all over my face and they itched too, so i stoped using it but they continued. and now that ive gone to a dermatologist she told the capillaries in my skin had busted! :O
it was terible! but the refining mask works well; but not the other stuff.

it basically just made my skin worse
its really harsh and your putting so much chemicals on your face
it made my skin a lot worse than it was before i tried it
pretty much a gimmick, cleansers i get from the drug store, like olay cleansers work better.

This product REALLY WORKS!!!! Proactiv is the best acne treatment ever! I tried that Clean & Clear crap.... and it just made me break out more! So then I tried Proactiv and my skin is completely clear now. Especially the Refining mask just leave it on overnight, and your acne will be gone! PLZ Try it! =D

Horrible!! It does not work at all. It made my skin have more pimples and embarrasing dryness. I do not advise you purchase this. it would be more effective to go see a dermatologist.

I started using this product when I was 14, i had mild acne at the time and I thought that this product could heal it, but it never did it would make some pimples disappear but it never really healed my acne completely, I would always get pimples, I am now 21 and still have to use it because about a year ago I stopped using it, and my acne was the worst I ever had, I was getting these huge bumps that would not go away, it sucks because now I am in college and Im supposed to be having a great time but am not because im embarrased about my acne. Like many people said this product has something that makes your skin addictive that when you stop using it you breakout worse than ever. I strongly recommend to think twice before you use this product I Hate the feeling of waking up and seeing yourself in the mirror and seeing a new bump. I hate acne!!

I am shocked to see reviews here that reflect my opinion. I grew up with very clear skin. After having my daughter I broke out very bad. It seemed to never get clear. I decided to try proactiv. Tried it and immediately bam it was going to work. I loved the way my face felt after using it. I just knew I found a product for a lifetime. My face began clearning up just like I hoped. Once my face was almost clear... bammmmmm. A huge bump appeared. I figured well it's just one bump and proactiv will get rid of that. So I kept on using it. Another bump appeared just as large. So I tried to cut down on using proactiv thinking it was too strong for me. When I did that my whole face broke out in little white heads and blackheads. So I started using proactiv regualary again. It cleared up the small bumps but every so often a very stubborn huge bump would appear. So I figured that proactiv had to be the issue. I thought wow this stuff is like crack. Once you use it, its hard to get off of it because of the side effects. Well I quit that stuff and tried other products. I had easier results, but my face still never got totally clear. No hard side effects, but these products just don't work for my face. So I broke my promise and started using proactiv again thinking maybe I'll use just the face cleanser and nothing else. Well I've been doing it and it works great until two weeks ago my nose began to hurt and I knew what was about to happen. Bam huge bump and it's still here. I made up my mind to day that no matter what, me and proactiv are through. I'm going to the dermotolgist to figure out a solution that doesn't involve that cycst making product. My birthday is monday and this dag on bump better be gone or I'm going to sue proactiv for damaging my self esteem. This product is addictive like crack. Never ever use it.

I did not like Proactive at all. First of all, it only made a slight difference in my complexion. Secondly, I'm only 26 and I began to notice fine lines around my eyes and mouth after using the product. They were definitely not there before. After checking out the effects of benzoyl peroxide on the internet, I found out it can cause skin cancer and premature aging. Now I only use Cetaphil. It's better on my skin and washes away completely. Also, I canceled my Proactive account over the phone and they kept sending it and charging my bank account. Everytime I sent it back, my account was credited but I still had to pay shipping and handling. Never again will I use that crap (or anything with benz. peroxide for that matter)!!!

I have used proactiv for about 5 years. I started using it because I would have frequent breakouts. My acne wasn't terrible, but it was always present. Proactiv cleared my acne. I would still have the odd breakout, and I would get the odd painful large bumps under my skin. I tried quitting it 2 years ago and made it 2 weeks before going back on proactiv. I broke out really bad (small black and white heads all over my face - especially my nose and chin and my forehead was covered). 2 years later, I have done more research and have made the decision to live green (organic food and organic house/body products). The fact the proactiv rid of my freckles, caused me to burn in the sun easily and BLEACHED MY TOWELS, I figured it wasn't the safest product to use on my face. I have been off proactiv for just over 4 weeks now and I will not go back. My face is terrible, but it does occasionally look clearer. I hate the pimples and it seriously hurts my confidence, but I believe that it will get better. I was giving myself a mini-chemical peel 2x a day for 5 years. My face is going to react to being off its "drugs". I think it is a personal decision for each individual to make, but the environment and my body means more to me. Also, the skin is constantly regenerating so although it may take months (perhaps up to a year) for my skin to heal itself, I think it will be worth it. For those of you that have never used proactiv I will say that make sure you are making an informed decision. Companies these days have very low standards to comply with. Just because it is sold in malls, on TV, and endorsed my celebrities, does not make it safe. Look at fast food and the preservatives/chemicals in our food. It is legal, and widely sold but there is also over 2 million morbidly obese people in the U.S.A (and the number is growing!) and there are no laws against this.

I absolutely adore ProActiv. I suffered from acne from the time I was 10 til about 17 when I tried it for the first time. I have tried everything in the stores, in catalogs, on TV and nothing worked. Now my skin is completely clear (except for one time a month but even that is minimal). I might add that I only use the cleanser, I do not use their toner or moisturizer. I buy whatever brand is on sale. I did try something new recently, thinking maybe I wouldn't break out anymore, being older. But nope, it was horrible. So I stick to my trusty facial cleanser. I go to the kiosks in the mall so I don't have to get the 3-piece set. BUT REMEMBER, everyone's skin is different. You just gotta try it to see if it works for you. And obviously if it's drying your skin out don't use it as much. But for those of you who couldn't take the drying out aspect of it, try just using the cleanser and see if it's better. (I only use it once a day)

  OMG. I wish I had never ordered this product.  I understand it works for some people, but it seems like the people it works for, had to manipulate the "system" to make it work (from below comments), and either had to keep using it forever, or they were bound to pimpleness again.  I myself do not have an acne problem, however from quitting smoking, my body was purging things, and I started to get a pimple here and there, so I decided to try it.  I ordered it, read all the booklets that came with the product, and made sure it was all going to be ok.  NOT THE CASE.  First of all, I should have known this product was bad when the lady I was ordering from kept trying to upsell me.  I was like, "Look I dont even know if this is gonna work for me, I just want to try it once. I do NOT want to sign up for auto ship, please bill me ONCE". Finally she got the hint.  Anyways, I tried it Thurs night 10/2/08 when I recieved it. MY SKIN FELT SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!! I was shocked at how great my skin felt in one session! I then washed again Fri night. (I never try anything twice a day like recommended until I see what is going to happen first, and do it once a day).  Fri night, same thing. Great smooth skin, not even as much burn as Thur night. Then............Saturday came... OMG.. a new pimple???? And all these little red bumps on my forehead and neck, and behind my ears... HOW? I thought.  It didnt even get on my neck or my ears... I was mortified. My forehead looked like I was stung by a bee 100,000 times.  I stopped using it. Sunday came, it was worse. Monday came it was worse.. Now it's Tuesday 10.07.08 bumps are still in tact, but the pimple I wanted gone is smaller, and the one that started on my chin after using the product is gone... I cannot believe how terrible my once very smooth baby bottom skin is. An outrage is what this is.  So now Im over moisturizing because it's so freaking dry my skin looks like crap!!!!!  And makeup? FORGET IT! I look so old when I put it on, my makeup that used to go on so smooth, now makes me look 40 and im 28!!!!!! This better go away, or they are going to have a HUGE lawsuit on their hands.  Im sorry but this product is NOT for people who want to take care of one or two pimples.  "Just a little dab, that's all you need" -- Jessica Simpson... Yeah Jess, I wonder how someone who has millions is using a 30 dollar product anyway... Im sure she has a personal skin rep in her house!!!!!!!!! DO NOT ... and I repeat.... DO NOT PURCHASE THIS PRODUCT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Im scheduling a derm appt now.  Ive never had problems with my skin in my entire life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IM SO MAD I COULD SCREAM!  Did anyone else get these little red bumps on their forehead? And if so, how did you get rid of them or when did they go away? I am NOT using the product again so dont tell me that's how you got rid of it.... Anyone??

Great, i just bought the proactiv renewing cleanser and i'm having doubs after reading all these comments. Now i'd have to debate whether or not im gonna try it on my skin but I don't want to risk it. Why didn't i read this before buying it??

Proactiv doesn't care about the pimples in your face. It only cares about the money in your pocket. If it was an okay product, they would care enough to make your skin clear and keep it clear (EVEN IF YOU STOP USING IT) the thing about the product is that they just want you to keep buying it. and they must have added something to make your skin worse when you stop using it. until you start using it agian.

I had mild acne, but when I ran out and stopped using it, my face broke out like stupid. I didn't want to keep on buying it and get my face addicted for life. so i had to suffer 7-8 months with terrible acne. I had so much embarrassment to go out and see my friends/girlfriend. It was even embarrassing to go out to family parties..
Well I moved on using
"AVENO moisturising lotion" during the day.
and "Mary Kay Acne Treatment gel" during the night.
Belive it or not. it took a while, but my skin is clearing up by the day.

Proactiv only works a little in the first couple of weeks then completely stops working. I stayed on it for half a year hoping to see some improvement, but I never did. It is very expensive, takes nearly two weeks to arrive via mail, and is not a quick application or convenient. Do not waste your money. I only bought it because I was convinced by their frequent TV ads and never really looked into it. The only thing that has worked for me after three years with acne is PanOxyl Bar 10%; it literally cleared my skin completely in a week and it is only seven dollars.

I was actually looking for a few links to put in my classified ad when I sell my newest shippment. I have been using Proactive for over 3 years. It works... somewhat for me. But I am not seeing the results I want.

While in the Bay Islands I was told about a soap called "African Formula Black Soap." I was leary as I thought it was for African American skin, and I am very white. I thought it might be too much moisture for me. However, I took a chance, bought a bar... I LOVE IT!!! It smells so good, and it is only like $2 a bar! That is MUCH better than $45.90 a shippment.

I found it by Google Searching "African Formula Black Soap". I purchased the Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E formula (but was told they are pretty much all the same)... if Proactive isn't working for you, try this... I think you might be surprised! I just bought 6 more bars for when I am ready :)

HORRIBLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NEVER BUY THIS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have tried heaps of stuff for my acne. and alot of the stuff may help prevent a few pimples but I still get lots, a few years ago when my acne was bad I bought proactiv and it slowly killed my acne. I remember my skin actually being clear and I remember thinking to myself what it was like to have acne lol. And my friend thought that I had been to a doctor and got meds for my acne. I remember someone commenting me on how clear my skin was and she asked me what my secret was. I was looking a pics I took of me when I used proactiv and I was so amazed on how clear my skin looked, not a zit on my face and now they are all over my cheeks and chin and very painful, and I really really miss the days where I had clear skin. So I have ordered proactiv again and if it clears my skin then I am gonna keep using it. I know how to use it and I never put too much on cos I want it to last so I always put a little on and follow the 3 step system. trust me it works, but for some people it may not work, but it works for me. Also my friend who has worser acne then me told me she had ordered some and within a few months I noticed that she hardly had any acne.

IT DOES NOT HELP AT ALLL!!!!!!!!!!!!I USED IT FOR # MONTHS AND NOT
A PIMPLE DISAPPEARED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!please do no believe it!!don't waste your money on some junk!!!IT'S A LIE!!!honestly!!!!! please!!

I tried it one time.  It didn't do much for my liver spots on my hands and arms.

For Usernom 0......-------> If N-O-T-H-I-NG works for you anymore because of proactive.... maybe you should consider getting on Accutane. It's risky, but my cousin went on it and it CLEARED his skin 100 %.

try it.

C

PROACTIVE IS CRAP!!!!!!

I've been using proactive for a little over 5 years now and before using Proactive i did not have bad acne, i just wanted to clear up my face completely. After using it for about 2 months, I broke out with the worst acne, but since i was told by a rep at proactive that it is part of the process, i stuck to it. It made my skin worse before it made it better and because of the "worse" part, now I'm stuck with a few pitted scars. It did make my skin better, maybe 6 mths later, but it had done the damage. When I try to quit using this 3 years ago, i broke out like crazy after a few weeks. So now im afraid to quit, because of the side effects. Now I do get occasional breakouts but for the most part my skin is clear. Although it is still a bit oily. For the past year, I've only been using the cleanser, as proactive lets you choose 3 items and you can order every 6 mths. But, I really wish I hadn't tried it because now my skin is so used to it, and I cant switch to anything new, and it's not cheap either. All I have to say is, for anyone that wants to treat their acne or any skin condition, consult a professional and think twice about proactive or any other products you will want to use. Good Luck

I have to say this product sucks soo bad, I have been using proactiv for about 4 years now and it has my skin even worse. At first the acne was just mild on my forehead and I applied some proactiv for a couple months which helped it out a bit. However, I began to break out on my cheeks and i applied some proactiv on there but it has made it red and horrific. I was scared to get off the product because I knew it would damage it even more. I decided to stop applying it for less than a week and I just broke out continously and it was even worse than before. I HATE THIS PRODUCT SO BAD! it tans and oils the skin.

ok, so i actually tried proactiv months ago, but finally decided to write a review. i absolutely hate this stuff :( growing up i had good skin, didn't have acne, but would get a couple pimples now and then, esp. during that time of the month. all of a sudden at 23 my chin starting breaking out w/ whiteheads and i was frustrated. i saw so many infomericals for proactiv and thought "hey why not give it a try". my sis tried it in hs, and it didnt help her acne, but didn't make it worse either, so i thought the worst it could do was not help me. what happened when i used it for 1 week?? face became extremely dry/ irritated AND all of a sudden my cheeks had huge cystic acne. it was horrible. now months later, i have scars on my cheeks and am finally on retin-a micro to reverse the damages done by proactiv. i learned that proactiv is great for some ppl, does nothing for others, and makes skin worse for the rest of us. also, i should have done better research before i decided to try a product...lesson learned...

The problem with Proactive due to a lot of research is that it is way too harsh for anyone's skin.  There's a site that explains and makes you understand why and gives suggestions that truly make sense and it would be acne dot org.  I saw what it did for my son after many attempts with dermatologists, prescriptions, and many other products.  It's worth thinking about as this guy has put a lot of research into using harsh products.

Just wanted to say that I am of A south asian descent and also extremely light skin and dark hair... this product proactive did not work on me either in fact I had the same exact problem. I have to tell you the truth that I do not think it is such a great product as everyone seems to think it is. Well I am battling acne too and now i have gone to my ob gyn and he put me on birth control because I have battled acne for many years. So far I see a little difference but it is suttle and I know it will take a while bc they are hormones so it takes time to tune your body. Well good luck everyone!

I used Proactiv for about 4-5 years. I had moderately bad acne since I was about 14 years old (T-zone). It worked wonders for me. It did, however, bleach the skin somewhat. It got rid of the redness in my skin (old scars etc...) but my freckles disappeared and my skin turned a shade whiter. People were always asking if I was sick! But it worked. Now what happened is, I went to a spa where an Esthetician said that my face looked great and that I probably didn't need to be on Proactive anymore, 'cause it was so chemically and all. So I quit. Cold turkey. Just went back to a mild cleanser with no acne medication at all. Huge mistake. My acne came back with a vengeance, little tiny bumps all over and wayyyyy worse than it had been before. Now, I understand what everyone is saying about how it was only supposed to be a treatment not a cure, but, my skin was reallllly bad. To make matters worse, when I promptly went back on Proactiv, it did nothing. Everything I tried did nothing. It is now 3 years later, and I am still battling this terrible acne. N-o-t-h-i-n-g worked after Proactive. I am of mixed decent (East Indian and red-hair Irish, so I am very fair with dark features) so I don't know if it is just MY skin or not, but my skin is destroyed. It is full of blackheads, red, patches of discoloration, and purple scars. I wear heavy scar makeup to go out. Just wanted to get my two cents in. Hope this helps someone with their decision of whether or not to use Proactiv. I works. But the cure may turn out to be worse than the disease. I was for me.

Proactiv didn't work for me at all, after 3 days of using it my face was swollen, blotchy, red, itchy, and downright painful. I stopped using it but it is still red, blotchy, and swollen. I got it a month or so ago so i coudl have nice skin for my wedding, now instead of being a blushing bride, i look like I just got stung by wasps all over my face.

ick. i hate  this stuff i spent all my money and it did nothing.

Worked at first for moderate acne, then stopped working. Skin never got 100% clear. Waste of time and money.

My grandmother purchased me some Proactiv during my senior year in high School it cleared up my acne I had for years it was great but when I moved out I realize how much I had to pay. I couldn't afford it and when I stop using it my Face Broke Out really, really bad I've never seen myself like that before. So now like I've started back using it and it's clearing me up again. Like the previous person said I guest we have to use this for the rest of are lives.

I used Proactiv for about a month or so, and saw no noticeable difference. I just purchased the "Continuously Clear" system from HSN. I have been told by so many of my teenage friends that i works so I'm hoping it odes. I will let all know on the Continuously Clear review page of this site. Im only 17 and i gotta while to go, so i hope it works.

ive been using proactiv for about 6 months now and it hasn't been as amazing for me as it has been for the people on the commercials. but with that said, it has improved the overall quality of my skin. it doesnt get shiny or oily, it looks very even, and it feels very soft. i have very dry skin, so i did have to get the oil free moisturizer and cut down my usage to only once a day, but if you can figure out what works for your skin, it really does help.
the only complaint i have, and its one ive heard from a lot of people, is that after using this product, i would get an occassional breakout of cystic acne. not all over my face, but one here or there of that kind of acne is bad enough because it can take months to go away and can leave permanent scarring. i had never ever experienced a breakout like that before using the product. does anyone know what in proactiv could cause that reaction for so many people? i don't believe that it's just being allergic to benzol peroxyde cause that causes dry, red, and swollen skin. cystic acne doesnt really seem like an allergic reaction to me. then again, im not a dermatologist. any ideas?

i started using this product a few years ago, it worked fine at first and i definitely noticed good results, but after i ran out and didnt order anymore because my skin was clear, who needs it? NOPE. a few months later my skin broke out SO BAD. i STILL suffer from horrible acne, worse than i had first started
DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT.

When I started using proactive yrs ago it worked for me, then it stopped working, humm, so i stopped buying it....BIG MISTAKE. Once i stopped using proactive i got the worst acne of my life, i have never goten acne that bad even before i started using their product, so i tried everything and nothing worked, my face seemed to get worse every day, so i decided to go back to proactive and then what do you know..all that bad acne cleard up again, so now im left w/the choice of either using their product all my life or discontinue it and face the horrible effects....I kind of wish i had never started using it coz my acne wasent even that bad to begin with, but now its like my skin is addictated to it!!!!!

Try murad! I've tried Practiv 2 different times. But the ppl at Sephora explained to me that the toner in proactiv jus spreads stuff around. I've been using Murad for 2 months, & it's so great! I've had bad acne since I was a teenager. But I recommend Murad, It's by an acutal dermotologist instead of 2 woman wanting to create somethin for money!

i have a love-hate relationship w/ this product. when my face has tiny bumps and basically looks red, i use pro-activ. when i have cystic acne, i gotta use more strong stuff. i WILL say, using pro-activ for years and years (mostly continuously), i constantly get told i have radiant, smooth skin. still, this product does not seem to take care of the big pimples when i get them!! i use duac topical gel for those.

Never use it!!! I have opened my own blog about proactiv http://proactivsolutions.blogspot.com You can read interesting here. If you have problems with skin like acne, don/t do enything by yourself! You can make worse!!! You must go to medical or proffesional cosmetilogist!!!

I'm allergic to Proactive, and pretty much anything else out there even the prescription stuff. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Sorry for your experience but it works for me. The trick is if it dries out your skin than to cut back using the product that dries your skin, which is the repairing lotion. Instead of using it twice a day, try once a day. If that doesn't help then try a 2-3 times a week. Oh, and always use a moisturizer with sunscreen right after the repairing lotion dries. Proactiv works wonders but your skin can become immune to it after time. I've used it for over a year and I have one day (Monday) were I take a proactiv break and use another cleaner that is not designed to treat acne. Also, if you work out during the day it's important to use another cleaner before and after working out. When you sweat the repairing lotion may bleach your clothes or towels if you sweat a lot like me.

I hope these tips help someone else, but proactiv does work. I've been blemish free for the first time since being a teen and I'm in my late twenties. I used the product when I was 21 for a year and thought my body was over acne. It was for nearly four years and then I started to experience breakouts. The type with the painful under skin cyst that you couldn't treat until the pimple came to the surface. It was horrible! I had just ended a relationship and was too impressed to start dating again. Now I'm as confident as ever. Don't let a couple of bad experiences stop you from trying the porduct.

I suggest going to your local mall and finding a proactiv kiosk. Just purchase the travel kit which should last you about 2 to 4 weeks. Oh, warning: You may experience immediate breakouts when starting to use this product but it completely clears up within a week or so. Also, please use the tips above to work out a good regimen that works for you. Once you know if it works or not you can then purchase the regular kit and use on a daily basis.

The best part is not only does it clear up your skin, but it makes the texture smooth and soft to the touch. Also, it creates this amazing glow! I love my makeup but most days I go without foundation and powder since I get so many compliments about my complexion. I've never had a foundation/powder do that! But remember your sunscreen or moist + sunscreen when using the repair lotion.

I started using Proactiv in June 2005 to treat my mild acne. Over the next several months of using Proactiv, I suffered severe outbreaks of skin lesions that I had never experienced before using the product. When inquiring about these severe outbreaks, Guthy-Renkers unlicensed medical support representatives "consistently" advised me to continue using Proactiv, "You're just experiencing the 'normal' breakout period. Results vary by person, some see results as little as two weeks, others don't see results until a few months later. So continue to use the product and your skin will get better." In fact, even a Proactiv representative at the Proactiv Kiosk Queen Center Mall in New York, looked at my face and said exactly the same as the phone representatives. When they learned that the product caused further injuries after the third month or the end of the program, a Guthy-Renker representative said, "You have sensitive skin. You are probably allergic to the benzoyl peroxide ingredient. We do have another kit called the Gentle Formula for sensitive skin. I will rush you this product and it will work for you." With no improvements to my condition, in late November 2005, I stopped using Proactiv Solution.

Despite the advice given to me by Proactiv representatives to continue treatment with Proactiv, I sought the professional care of a dermatologist to treat the severe outbreak of skin lesions. After consulting with the dermatologist, I was prescribed a costly and powerful medication, which helped improve my condition. He also had to inject each of the pimples caused by Proactiv, which was quite painful. However, I have been left with permanent pit-scarring and skin discoloration on my face as a result of the irritation caused by my prior use of Proactiv Solution. I will need to have an expensive laser surgery procedure to reduce this skin discoloration with no guarantee that the damage can be reversed.

After watching numerous infomercials where celebrities would endorse a product, I never once questioned if these products were actually used by them. Yet, after I watched the infomercials for Proactiv Solution, it seemed like the celebrities not only used the product, they praised its ability to clear the skin of blemishes. When I was experiencing mild acne, I had high hopes for Proactiv, and the claims that the celebrities, and the company made. As you have read, the results were not favorable; not only was Proactiv ineffective, but it also caused permanent scarring, short term anguish and depression. This could have been avoided by knowledgeable representatives advising me to stop using the product and consult with a professional dermatologist. The issue is NOT whether Proactiv works or not, but what matters is the lack of accountability taken by the manufacturer and its affiliates; and also the advice given to me by the Proactiv reps to continue using the product despite the outbreaks that I reported. I urge anyone considering the use of this product to carefully re-evaluate their decision, and perhaps prevent a lifetime of pain and embarrassment as the result of using The Answer for Acne. I would be very much interested in making this to the news media on a national coverage level.

See more before and after pictures on my personal website: http://www.propassiv.com

Watch the video version at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za3tM2Ruadw  

Proactive made my skin worse...I got the cysts...the hard sore deep under the skin bumbs....OUCH! I hate proactive. Not for me I guess. I wish there was a O

DON'T EVER TRY IT!! I TRIED IT AND IT DID CLEAR MY FACE FROM PIMPLES, BUT IT MADE MY FACE SWOLLEN AND RED. I LOOKED HORRIBLE! AFTER THAT, MORE BREAKOUT COME OUT. I STOP USING IT.

My skin has hit an all time low using the Proactiv "Solution". It cleared up my skin for a very short while. After that, every day got worse and worse, waking up with new breakouts and unmanageable skin. It was horrible. I used it like an addict...terrible relationship. It worked again for about a couple of days, then it bombed on me again. I suppose the only way this "solution" would work is to be dedicated to it every waking second of your life. Even then, it'll probably give you a few good days in your life.
All in all, it works....sort of. And that's only because you'd have to sell your soul to it. Very unfair. I'd like my soul back.

I TRYED PROACTIV AND BY THE END OF MY 30 DAY TRIAL I WAS CRYING. I DRYED OUT MY SKIN SO BADLY THAT NO LOTION COULD SOAK IT UP AND ALL MAKE-UP JUT FLAKED OFF.  DONT TAKE THE RISK OF WHETHER IT WILL HELP YOU OR HURT YOU.

Nothing works better!!

I've used this product for a couple years now. It seems to control my acne to a point where its not as visible to outsiders as it used to be... but its definatly still there. It doesn't ever really completely get rid of it as it advertises, and sometimes makes your skin very dry. It also doesn't really block acne from stress or monthly cycles, I still have pretty good sized breakouts. I guess I would recomend it if you have severe acne and you wanted to decrease it but know that it probably won't just magically go away.

Proactiv can never really completely clear your skin. That being said it has been good for me. I use it sparingly now and then when I fear my skin breaking out. The cleanser is great and I use it everyday twice. it has a tendency to make the skin dry without clearing up which makes things worse. But after soemtime I think your skin kind of gets used to it and once you have controlled the usage perfect for you it works well. I have hoefully been able to in the last 1 yr I have used it. needs other exfoliants for blemishes and scars.