I absolutely hated Proactiv, and it's known to dry skin out badly. Obviously you know that can lead to premature aging.... I'm a fan of Clinique's AcneSolutions line, which is for all skintypes. I finally got fed up with mine and did a 5-month Accutane cycle under my derm's supervision. I suffered hardly any side effects and immediately afterwards, my skin returned to its normal moisture content, just without the zits. Also, ask your derm about retinoids, because it can help both lines and acne, because it is the ultimate exfoliator.

Written on: 03/13/2008 (02:34pm)

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If you use Proactiv's 3 step system, add a 4th step: MOISTURIZER. It's a big myth that oily and/or acne prone skin doesn't need moisturizer. It's especially important when you are using harsh & drying acne treatment topicals.

Proactiv is basically treating with 2 main active ingredients:
2.5% benzoyl peroxide and the glycolic acid in the toner.

This is a cheaper, gentler, and more effective version of their system that I found at acne.org:

- a gentle, non-medicated facewash (ie. Cetaphil gentle cleanser)
- 2.5% benzoyl peroxide gel/cream (any brand you like) applied very, very generously
- a non-comedogenic moisturizer with an alpha hydroxy acid like glycolic acid or lactic acid (I like Lac-hydrin Five)
- a little 100% jojoba oil at night when especially dry, sometimes before the benzoyl peroxide

I used Proactiv for years & found that far more effective. It's also cheaper & you can buy it all at your local drugstore and/or healthfood store. I'm using retin-a and clindamycin now at night as prescribed by my dermatologist, and using a 10% mandelic acid serum by Nucelle in the morning, but for about a year I controlled my acne very well with that above system. Benzoyl peroxide can be harsh, so you have to moisturize well to combat it's drying effects. I suggest looking into mandelic acid also, as it's great for aging if you are an adult woman who is concerned with that also. I love my Nucelle stuff, cuz it's gentler than benzoyl peroxide, but it's pricey.

Written on: 04/03/2008 (03:00pm)

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I used proactiv for about 6 months and at first I was seeing results... then it just started irritating my skin and causing breakouts. The cleaner is an exfoliating cleanser and it isn't healthy to exfoliate THAT often. I've talked to a lot of people who have tried it, some said it worked, most said it didn't.

Written on: 06/07/2008 (12:51am)

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I am 28 and still deal with acne. I used proactiv, and it totally worked, but the benzol peroxide is harsh and the lotions made my sheets and towels discolor (its basically bleach). SO< i had to find something else. I now use Kiehl's Blue herbal gel cleanser and it feels great, and works! I also use some products from arcona which are also natural and much less harsh. http://arcona.com/

Written on: 06/09/2008 (04:57pm)

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Beauty Society has a GREAT Acne Defense Regimen, a great new product called True Salvation with glycolic, beta glucans and salisylic acid. Check out the Acene Defense Collection at MySkincareDiva.com, all without peroxide which over time will damage your skin and speed the signs of aging, by drying out your skin! no good ladies!

Written on: 06/12/2008 (07:34am)

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Written on: 07/23/2008 (09:47am)

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Avon is comming out with a professional acne treatment, called Clearskin Professional Acne Treatment. This is a 3 step treatment and should show signs of improvement within 2-3 days. It is similar to the proactive, with a less expensive cost. Three of the main ingriedients would be Zinc Hexapeptide-11, restores the balance of oil in acne prone skin, Salicylic Acid and Glycolic Acid.

youravon.com/cconnor

Written on: 07/24/2008 (01:52pm)

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You should try Arbonne's Clear Advantage acne system. Works Great!! Everyone that I know that uses it, loves it!! They have an antiaging line too for men & women. their suncare and makeup have anti aging properties in them too. They just have wonderful products all around! We will never switch. Visit my website: HealthySkinCareForAll.myarbonne.com
Browse, research or shop the products. I can tell you how to get them at 35% or more off every time you shop with NO obligations attached!
Email me with questions. bambam2001@msn.com

Written on: 08/05/2008 (12:08pm)

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You should try Arbonne's Clear Advantage acne system. Works Great!! Everyone that I know that uses it, loves it!! They have an antiaging line too for men & women. their suncare and makeup have anti aging properties in them too. They just have wonderful products all around! We will never switch. Visit my website: HealthySkinCareForAll.myarbonne.com
Browse, research or shop the products. I can tell you how to get them at 35% or more off every time you shop with NO obligations attached!
Email me with questions. bambam2001@msn.com

Written on: 08/05/2008 (12:09pm)

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put the pro-active down. if it's doing that bleaching thing to your sheets and towels it's doing something to your skin. over-drying of the skin can cause premature aging.

I had cystic acne and I don't let anything but Beauty Society products touch my face. The Drama Free is a godsend. And there's a 12 month guarantee, like Nordstroms. But I've never sent anything back and I never will. They are also sulfate and paraben free, which I found out I have a sensitivity to. I can now use sunscreen and have gotten rid of my fine lines that I was too young to have in the first place.

Written on: 08/21/2008 (12:39pm)

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