Real Consumer Reviews and Ratings
Proactiv Solution Reviews and Ratings
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Overall Rating 
Manufacturer
Guthy Renker
Product Description
Proactiv Solution is a revolutionary, dermatologist-developed Combination Therapy® system that helps the skin heal the blemishes you have now - and helps stop new ones from forming - in three quick, easy steps. Stop acne now with proactiv solution. The proactiv solution infomercial features vanessa williams, serena williams, puff daddy, jessica simpson, elle macphearson, alicia keys, kelly clarkson, lindsay lohan, and more. Proactive solution reviews below.
Average Retail Value
$39.95 (prices may vary)
Comparisons
Epiclear | Acne Complex
Consumer Ratings
Okay Product
10/5/2008 - Odessa of NE, USA writes:
I had used ProActive for a while. Not because of the healing power of it, but it is a great product that feels GREAT on the skin. I have slight acne and have since I was a child. It didn't clear up my acne and finally went back to using cheaper products for my facial skin care.
If it seems too good to be true....
9/27/2008 - Andrea of CA, United States writes:
I bought this very expensive system for my daughter, who after going to college had moderate acne. It's a subscription system, so you have the initial cost and you keep paying and paying. The acne accelerated after using the product and got so bad it left scarring. All I'm saying is beware. Like most infomercials, the product looks amazing. In this case it failed miserably.
Works for moderate acne
9/8/2008 - Shawn N of Ontario, Canada writes:
I would recommend Proactiv for occasional or moderate acne. Don't lie to yourself and properly assess your condition. I tried Proactiv when I was in high school with acne that was severe and Proactiv didn't work. Now that I'm older and my acne is occasional rather than severe, I tried it 3 months ago again and have been happy since. I would like to mention the mask that comes with it because it really helps. Sometimes the pimple will fade overnight, but usually it will shrink it and disappear the next day. Proactiv does work but not for severe cases. Be honest with yourself when judging if you have occasional, moderate or severe. I needed a doctor to tell me that I was wrong about thinking I had moderate acne when it was so severe. Don't make the same mistake.
FANTASTIC!
9/3/2008 - Claire of NY, USA writes:
I am in my mid 30's and have had mild to moderate acne since I was 11. It has come and gone over the years but seemed to be worsening after I turned 30. I was acutally not interested in trying Proactiv at first because I generally stay away from infomercial products. I did some research on the ingredients in Proactiv and found that the BP concentration was low compared to what was available in the drugstore, so I decided to try it. I bought a kit on an auction site so I would not have to subscribe to the shipments. I had a little dryness at first (I have very pale and fairly sensitive skin) but I alternated use of the Repairing Lotion with a moisturizer and the results were fantastic! I have been using Proactiv for about a year and my skin is soft and NOT dry at all. I still have the occasional pimple but NOTHING like I used to get (very painful cysts and lots of whiteheads). I am a skeptical person by nature but I love this product! Definitely worth a try!
It Works for Me
8/26/2008 - Susan` of CA, USA writes:
I have had acne since I was 13. I am now 50. So you know that I have tried many, many products and have seen many dermatologists over the years. This is by far the best over-the-counter product. I also purchase ProActive’s deep cleansing wash which is less harsh than the regular cleanser. The product combination is drying so my suggestion to those that experience dryness is to use the product less and combine it with a milder acne wash cleanser that you get in the drug store. Buy a sensitive skin oil free moisturizer too. If your skin is dry it will respond to that by creating more oil which exacerbates the problem. Also do not wear make-up if you can avoid it. Liquid Make-up will soak into your pores and can cause more problems. If you experience redness or dryness it means you are using the product too much. Cut down to 2 or 3 times a week then see what happens.
Overrated--See Your Dermatologist Instead!
8/16/2008 - Barbee of Florida, US writes:
I have had moderately severe acne since I was 12 (I am now 19). I tried Proactiv in high school and it improved my acne slightly, although my skin never completely cleared from it. After a few months of use the product stopped working completely and my acne was worse than before. Now I use prescription products from my dermatologist that work, and are actually less expensive than Proactiv.
C/Card stuff up
8/13/2008 - Kara Lach of Western Australia, Australia writes:
I bought this product,samples; one off. Not only was it NOT a once off but I can only use it a max of 3 days out of the week, it is too aggressive for my skin type, sensative. Also they charged my credit card which I had to fight to get back. Then a few weeks ago they charged my c/card again and returned the money the same day. It is just not very consumer friendly.
Swing and miss
8/12/2008 - Allie of ohio, United States writes:
I have had an acne problem since i was in 6th grade. I have tried many products includuing proactive. I used proactive for about 3 months. In the first week i didn't notice much. As the weeks went on my skin became very dry and started peeling. I convinced myself that this was what it was supposed to do. I kept using it and after about a month it became too painful to use. Everytime I used Proactive it felt as if acid was burning off my skin. By this time Proactive hadn't helped at all with my acne and was still drying out my skin. I discontinued my use of it, but after a few weeks I used it again with the same results. This product does work for many, many people. It may be because I have sensative skin, or it may be another reason, but it does not work on me at all.
The best product ever
8/11/2008 - Erica of ga, USA writes:
Most people are commenting that it uses benzoyl peroxide, but they should read the labels! The cleanser uses salicylic acid, and the repairing lotion uses bp. This is why it is such an amazing combination. I have used it for about 6 years and there is nothing better. I have tried [], [], [] but my skin always seems to be lacking. With Proactiv my skin is clear and healthy. My complexion is wonderful.
Great Product
8/6/2008 - Jennifer of Oh, US writes:
I bought Proactiv at my local mall, since I didnt want to have to deal with reoccurring charges through the mail. I have to say, I have never had anything work so well for me. I tend to only break out around that time of the month, so I was getting aggravated that other products took so long to make my acne go away. This clears it up within a few days. The mask is the only thing I think is junk.
Side Effects
7/16/2008 - Sarah of NY, USA writes:
I bought the proactive last year and I used it as the directions said. The lotion though didn't moisturize my face, not even the moisturizing one I had purchased in addition to the three step kit. My acne was only slightly better, but my skin was so dried out is was flaking off. I have used all sorts of over the counter products, several at a time even, and nothing has ever dried out my skin like this before.
Money better spent at the dermotologist office
7/15/2008 - Shar of NJ, USA writes:
Yes, I should have known better. All the glittering, star studded testimonials were large red flags. But, the problem was that my daughter was not finding relief from any over the counter products or even some perscriptions: topical creams and vitamin B. We were not quite ready to commit to the sole miracle treatment that required monthly monitoring, []. Proactiv did NOTHING to clear my daughters skin. Not one slight diffenence in her complexion was ever noticed. Then, we found out that the company not only hires superstars to draw in teenagers, we know one of the testimonial customers personally. This young woman had a perfect porcelain complexion all through her teen years. She is on the French website for proactive. She is a graduate of a NJ state college and is getting married in August 08 (to prove to you that I do know her). Check out her acting page by googling []. The proactive ad also comes up when you google her name, but I am sure the company will take it off the internet when they read this, as it is obvious that they plant their false testimonials on consumer sites all over cyberspace. Don't waste your money. Go to a dermatologist and you will have a far greater chance for the perfect skin you desire. Four years after taking [] for just six months, my daughters skin remains pimple free.
Not for me...
7/14/2008 - Nicole of NC, USA writes:
I've been dealing with acne since middle school and after hearing rave reviews by people I knew for Proactiv, I tried it. It seemed to be working at first, but then my face started drying out and peeling. Before I tried Proactiv, I had oily skin; now, I have combination skin, and it's more oily than ever to make up for it being dried out all the time. I went to see my doctor about another treatment, but she told me to give it another shot. Now, I want to be through with it. It's definitely not for everyone. I suggest making sure benzoyl peroxide won't have adverse effects on your skin before you try using this product every day.
Love it
6/27/2008 - C. of Nova Scotia, Canada writes:
Definitly kept in my medicine cabinet because it worked perfectly for me. I had my issues with breakouts but now only get the odd one every now and again...
Another false hope
6/20/2008 - Angel of Kaitaia, New Zealand writes:
I tend to receive a kick in the self-esteem when i beg my mother for a miracle product for 6 months, receive it, and us it for 3 months with no improvement towards my skin. I cried when i looked at the calender to see how long i had been consistantly using it. I attend a large high school where the minority have skin problems. I have been managing my food consumption, not wearing makeup, I even change my damn linen every second day so no extra bacteria touches my face! My skin is dry, peeling, and i have clogged pours. My mother isn't going to buy me anymore products to help my skin, i can only use proactiv. I still use it everyday in the hopes it'll help. And oh yeah the proactiv infomercial is agitating. There are no signs of people on there who have skin problems that need REAL help. They're just a bunch of models and actors who deal with one-off zits. You can talk to me about acne when your face resembles a pizza, savvy?
Great product!!
6/13/2008 - Amy of Illinois, USA writes:
I'm a 28 year old woman with no prior history of break outs. About a year ago, I started getting random pimples around the T-zone and small redish bumps around my chin. I ordered Proactiv, the first product I've ever ordered from an infomercial, and it has to be the greatest skin care product I've ever used. When I got the product in the mail, I had two pimples and honestly within a few days my skin was completely clear. I used to use the Clinique skin care line, but I can't imagine using anything else. I've had only one pimple since using it. What's more is that it makes my complexion so even and my skin so smooth. I would recommend this to anyone. My only complaints would be the auto ordering and I wish they carried it in more stores. I don't like being enrolled into any type of reoccurring payment program, and prefer to buy it instead of having it delivered. Luckily I live in the Chicagoland area and the mall in Aurora carries Proactiv at one of those island stores.
Lasting Results
6/9/2008 - Miranda of NC, USA writes:
WOW! I was truly shocked to see that the reviews for Proactiv were not better. I LOVE it! I have tried MANY products throughout the years...all of which worked at first, but then stopped working over time. Proactiv is the only product I have purchased that continues to work, even after 3 years!! I would highly recommend that you try it. A few bits of advice, if your skin drys out..use only once daily...it is still just as effective and USE it EVERYDAY...if you skip days then it does not work as well. The only "false" item I have found is the mask...which works great as a mask, but does NOT make your ache spot disappear overnight. Other than that...IT is WELL worth the money and your purchase!!
Yikes
6/4/2008 - Katherine of California, usa writes:
I had tried this product and it worked for about a month- then I woke up to bright red skin and a million little bumps.... so I called and they refunded my money after I sent the unused portion back.... I have had acne off and on all my life and have used every product even acutane (will be on it again soon)....everyone is different and has a different reaction and sensitity....I was excited too for about a month then .......well it's just not my product.
NOT WORTH IT
6/3/2008 - FMJ of TX, USA writes:
Don't spend your money. Proactiv is NOT special; it uses benzoyl peroxide--a COMMON main ingredient in many other and much cheaper over-the-counter products. All it does is SOMEWHAT make your breakouts milder and completely dry out your skin. My acne never significantly decreased as I used it, and eventually I woke up with white powder on my pillow--which was my SKIN that had literally fallen off of my face. That was the last straw. Before that had happened, I had called the company to complain that it wasn't working. All the rep told me was, "You need to keep using it." Duh, that's what I had been doing for months with no change. Of course they want me to keep using it--that's the only way they'll keep getting my money! I am currently getting the same results and better, minus the dry skin, with cheap products that I can buy from [] etc. Save your time and money. When you are not committed to the same product, you are also free to customize what toner you want, what moisturizer you want, and can change between summer products and winter products (because depending on where you live, you really can't use the same product in the same weather!) Save your time and money!!!
The only thing that really works for me!
6/2/2008 - B of LA, USA writes:
I have had acne since beginning puberty and it didn't get any better into adulthood. The breakouts were always constant. I would break out before my period but also because I have sensative skin, anything that touched my skin would cause a breakout - makeup, any moisturizer or sunblock or any kind of skin product like that. Over many years struggling with acne I have tried every OTC brand and every "home remedy" and I have been to a dermatologist and gotten prescriptions. Most products would make the breakouts slightly better but nothing was great, and nothing was consistent. Until I tried proactive. I have been using it for 8 years now and it has been worth every penny. I don't know how it is any different than any OTC benzoil peroxyde product, but somehow it IS different, it works much better than anything I've tried. (And I was able to go online and stop the automatic shipments. Now I just order the individual bottles as needed, which is nice because I run out of the different products at different times.)