Keep Using Proactiv?
Help from our readers:
I’ve just started using Proactiv for a few days now, cuz i’ve been getting pretty bad acne. But for the past day or so it’s been irritating and drying out my skin. It’s helping my acne, but when I use it, the area by my jaw and my chin starts 2 hurt bad. Help please? Should I keep using Proactiv?


My friend has used proactiv and the same thing happened to her. I think it’s because of the combination of the chemicals that are used in the ingredients for example: the CLEANSER has the exfoliating beads. I mean who actually exfoliate their face 1-2 times per day. You should only be exfoliating your face at the most 2-3 times per week It also has the benzoyl peroxide and fragrance added which can also irritate and cause drying to the skin. TONER: has glycolic acid, dyes and fragrance which is even more drying to the skin.
The REPAIR LOTION has benzoyle peroxide and more fragrance and the DAILY OIL CONTROL (if you are using it and only should use it if you have OILY skin) has alcohol in it which is really drying to the skin. So really all you are doing is layering on dry, irritating ingredients over dry, irritating ingredients onto your skin. If you want to continue to use these brand then try to wash your face only once per day being that you are exfoliating as well. You may want to consider using 2 teaspoons of raw organic apple cider vinegar to 2 ounces of water for a toner on some days.
This can be used for all skin types. Just mix the two and either put onto a cotton pad/ball as normal and rub on face or you can put it into a small spray bottle and spritz onto the skin but keep it refrigerated. Also only use the daily oil control ONLY if your skin is oily-prone skin. If you have sensitve or dry or a combination of both then this is not a product line for you. I know that people with sensitive and dry skin have acne too but I don’t think that the two lady dermatologist were thinking about that when they decided to use these ingredients. I assume that they are only considering people with oily skin that has acne.
Overall instead of using all of the products everyday try finding subsitutes for some of the products to use like every 2-3 days to prevent drying such as the apple cider toner every 2-3 days instead of the proactiv toner everyday and face oils (NORMAL SKIN: almond, hazelnut or apricot kernel oil, DRY SKIN: Almond, avocado, olive, apricot kernel or soya bean oil, OILY SKIN: Grapeseed, borage, carrot and evening primrose oil.
ACNE SKIN: almond, borage seed, evening primrose oil. All of these oils can be mixed with 100% pure organic essential oils for a greater effect
http://www.controlmyacne.com/product/index.php?q=proactiv&catid=45172
i used proactiv for months and it didd absolutely nothing to me, i had more outbreaks and irritated skin. don’t waste time with special acne products, the will just dry out your skin. i suggest clean and clean face wash, olay toner, and clean and clear mosturizer. i also use lemon juice as a toner and queen helena face masks are also great.
If the product is drying too much or causing irritation you should limit use to every other day or every two days. If you still have the same result you should discontinue use.
If you actually go back to the store you brought it from [stand] they’ll offer you the Deep Cleaning Wash. You can use that on your face aswell as your whole body. It doesn’t have th peroxide in it so it’s alot more gentle.