We’ve all seen the infomercials for Proactiv, they are pretty unmistakable because they usually show a clear faced celebrity claiming they got this way with the product. It looks easy enough to apply it, and since it’s been around for so long it does have some credibility. Most products like this have their peak and then slowly decline and go out of business. It is usually only those that provide customer service, and a good product that can stand the test of time and survived in all different types of economies.
Overview
Most products that have been around for as long as Proactiv has undergo several revamps and modern incarnations rarely resemble the original. However, the basic treatment as well as the style and logo of the company has remained the same over all these years. They even use the same sort of promotion techniques including infomercials that looked the same today as they did when they first came out with the product.
So the rationale is if you have a 17-year-old product that hasn’t undergone any major design changes or any drastic changes in the ingredients used, you must have enough satisfied clients and return customers to keep you above water. Proactiv really is doing something right, or if they’re just really lucky.
The Claim
Like all acne treatments, Proactiv claims that you’ll get clear skin, more confidence, and healthier looking skin in general. They also claim that their system is easy to use, and will not dry out your face like other acne treatments can. They have been making the same or similar claims for nearly 2 decades, and have been showing up on American TV sets for just as long.
The Hype
Proactiv always has its share of celebrity endorsers saying how they use it to either get clear skin or maintain their clear skin. Usually these celebrities are popular with teens and a younger audience because those are the ones that are afflicted with the most acne. Many of them are not able to have a credit card in their own name, and need to ask their parents in order to buy Proactiv, which could be thought of as a form of hype, since they are really marketing their product to younger people.
The Cost
Proactiv costs just $30 which includes their three part system and a free gift of your choosing. They don’t make you pay extra shipping and handling for your free gift, which is nice because that means it is actually free. This is supposed to be a one-month supply, which doing the quick math puts you at one dollar per day to use Proactiv.
The Commitment
You have to use this product per the instructions if you want to get the best results possible. You should use all three steps twice per day, in the morning and at night. This involves first using the Renewing Cleanser, which is pretty much like your typical acne face wash. Then follow this up with their Revitalizing Toner. This is a thin, liquidy treatment that you can apply with a cotton ball, or a cotton pad. Lastly, use their Repairing Treatment on any problem areas and specific zits. This last one you don’t rinse off, just leave it on so it can do its thing.
Evaluation
While they may have changed the formula a little bit, the basic design, and system remains unchanged for the last 17 years. It still has a cleanser, a toner, and the refining mask. There’s something to be said for getting a product right on the first try, so you don’t have to revamp it year after year. While there are some people that complain about the product, and ordering process, there are definitely enough people that use Proactiv and find that it works in order for them to stay in business for so long.
There isn’t an acne product out there that works for every single case, every single time. The goal here for a company is to get it right more often than you get it wrong. They didn’t reinvent the wheel here, and ease benzoyl peroxide just like many of the other acne treatments on the market. What they did do is come up with a good way of simplifying the application process and making it as nonirritating as possible.
Why the Split?
When looking at the overall response people have to Proactiv no clear answer can be made as to whether or not it works. There seems to be a sharp divide of people saying it works, and other people saying it doesn’t. The reason for this is pretty easy to explain. Some people respond to benzoyl peroxide, while others might be sensitive or even allergic to it.
Those that are allergic to benzoyl peroxide can try the salicylic peroxide offered in their “gentle” option.
You also have to consider that not everyone will use the treatment as described in the instructions, while others will miss the treatment either in the morning or at night, and still others will use it in a totally different manner than what is recommended. With such a wide gap for user error is easy to see why there would be so many differing viewpoints.
Also, there is many different forms and types of acne. Some will be able to be treated by Proactiv, while others will need the help of a dermatologist and prescription strength solutions.
Final Proactiv Review
Proactiv makes a lot of claims that are infomercials, and makes it seem like all of your acne woes will go away to start using it. If you buy into this and set high expectations, you might be let down even though the product is working. It’s best to go in with a level head knowing that you’ll probably get some results but perhaps not to the level you are hoping.
No acne company can guarantee that their product work for everyone that tries it. Proactiv does have a guarantee so if you do not respond to their treatment can just return it for a refund. Some people have complained about the AutoShip program, but this can be avoided simply by canceling it if you don’t like the results you’re getting.
Our Recommendation
If you have acne and have tried many other systems without success, you should definitely give Proactiv a try. Majority of users see some improvement, even if it’s not as profound as that shown on the before-and-after pictures in their advertisements. However, if you have realistic expectations going into the treatments you probably won’t be disappointed and you could be one of the many people that has found a solution in Proactiv.
I tried Proactiv; following the recommended instructions. However, in my opinion, it didn’t perform as I thought [it would.] In fact, it did not work any better or faster than any over-the-counter product.
Today, my skin is much clearer and healthier-looking after using products from Body Works, and when I run out and fail to re-order right away, I return to using over-the-counter products. Consequently, for the first time in years, I finally receive compliments about my skin.
Perhaps Proactiv works for some people, but not for me.
I used Proactiv a couple of years ago and it did nothing for me.
In the end i just accepted that i had acne and there was nothing i could do.
It’s not overly expensive, so maybe it’s worth a try if you suffer with acne, as i do know some people that have used it and it worked (in fact it was recommended to me by a friend who said it worked).