Skin Care Review: Proactiv

Rating
Adverse Effects

Benefits
None

Drawbacks
Pimples became tender and painful, skin became more inflamed

Details
I purchased the Proactiv range for my 11 year old (soon to be 12 year old) daughter, who was experiencing acne all over her face, particularly all over her forehead and cheeks. I found a Proactiv "consultant" who sold the product at a store. When I asked if the product would be too harsh for my daughter, considering her young age, or if she could experience any adverse effects, I was told "you can get your money back if you don't like it". Anyway, the first time we used it, we were thrilled - all the pimples cleared up within two weeks and she was pimple free. This was the "old" Proactiv solution, so I don't know if the ingredients have changed or not. Anyway, my daughter only used the program at nightime and we used the mask once a week and it worked a treat. After a couple of months, she stopped using it regularly being young, etc, and her pimples came back - redder, stronger and more ferocious than ever. She had nearly run out of the old products, so I purchased the "new" range which has been advertised. Well, she's been using it religiously every morning, and night, for about three months - the pimples are sore, there are more pimples than ever, they are redder than ever. It's exactly the same as other people have been saying - at first it worked, then the skin seems to get worse and become immune to it. We used the cleanser, toner, green tea moisturiser (the normal moisturiser gave her no relief and her skin felt tight), and the mask and a couple of others. I'm now taking her to the doctor to try the antibiotics and thinking of trying "Paula's Choice" - this sounds like it contains all the right pimple fighting ingredients, but also sounds a lot less harsh. I would NOT choose Proactiv again - very expensive, does not work long term and also seems like if you purchase online they keep on charging your credit card even when you ask them to stop.

Conclusions
Don't use it - makes the problems worse!

Price (paid by reviewer)
$90.00 plus

Where to find it
Proactive counters major stores