Proactiv Skin Care Review

Does it Really Work?

I first wrote down the 800 number to order Proactiv around 10 years before I finally took the plunge and ordered it.

Back then Judith Light was their spokeswoman.

I remember feeling a spark of hope that this might be a legitimate acne treatment at last.

Still... I didn't order it.

In all honesty, the fact that they automatically charge your credit card and send more every 2 months scared me off.

I wasn't ready for that level of commitment. (See my update after a year of using Proactiv)

A fruitless search

So, I tried a ton of other skin care products instead.

From mainstream drugstore lines to enticing organic concoctions brewed up in faraway lands.

With each new product an anticipation would grow, a hope that maybe this was finally the one that would get me results.

A hefty investment and a whole lot of experimentation landed me where?

Nowhere different. Same blemished skin. Same frustration.

She takes the plunge!

In the decade between then and now, I've watched several celebrities become the new face of Proactiv skin care.

Each claimed that it helped them with their problem skin.

I'll admit that it was Jennifer Love Hewitt who finally convinced me. She just seems so darn sincere!

So yeah, I was sucked in by the advertising.

But I'm glad, because guess what... it actually works! My skin is vastly improved in the months since starting the Proactiv® Solution.

If I was slightly more disciplined, it would probably be completely cleared up. The instructions say to use the Proactiv 3 step system once or twice a day. I probably use it 3-4 times/week.

As it is, my blemishes are minimal now. The Refining Mask (which I got a free tube of with my first order) is a handy dandy fixer-upper for the odd breakout.

Another small but notable plus; the product bottles are designed so that they're stable when flipped upside down as I like to do when they're nearing empty. Yes, it's the little things that elevate a product from 'great' to 'exceptional.'

COLOR LEACHING

Take care not to use your best washcloths with the cleanser.

It contains ingredients which will lighten the color out of some fabric dyes.

I still felt a small pang of irritation when the first automatic payment showed up on my credit card statement.

Quickly followed by the realization that I definitely did NOT want to run out.

Take my money, Proactiv people, just don't stop sending it! :)

Don't wait as long as I did to see improvements in your skin. Try Proactiv® now - it really works!

One Year Update - Some Issues, And A Revelation!

After using Proactiv for over a year (with great results), I have a surplus supply in my cupboard. The most recent cleanser I opened had an 'old' smell to it, so I figured it was time I called the 800 number to cancel my account until I'd used up what I had.

For some reason (okay, we'll call it cynicism), I assumed they would make it difficult. I was prepared to be assertive, armed with the secret knowledge that I would report my experience here. So if they were awful to me, I wasn't going to keep quiet about it! :)

Imagine my surprise when I was greeted by a very pleasant, helpful woman who informed me that I could put my account on hold for six months and change the frequency of future shipments so I only receive what I will use in the interim.

She asked me when the offensive smelling product was shipped and assured me that Proactiv products have a shelf life of 2 years and it should have been fine since it was only shipped 6 months ago. So she's having a free replacement sent out to me!

I'm so pleased with the experience and happy to be able to report a positive opinion of Proactiv products AND their customer service.

Simple practices to help prevent acne