The *FINAL WORD* on Proactiv Renewing Cleanser for Acne
Written: May 04 '02 (Updated Apr 09 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Benzoyl Peroxide and gentle exfoliation make this cleanser invaluable for those with acne.
Cons: Price is high, Proactiv tries to push grouped products in a "club"
The Bottom Line: If your skin is riddled with acne lesions and blackheads, this product exfoliates as well as fights bacteria that cause acne and clears the skin fantastically.
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| hempem's Full Review: Proactive Solution Renewing Cleanser |
Introduction
My name is Melissa and I am a 36 year old woman with acne.
I hope you will find this coverage of the Proactiv Solutions Renewing Cleanser helpful. Since I am speaking from personal experience with the product, you should know ahead of time that it did work wonders for my acne and my skin in general.
I now use a much cheaper "knock-off" version of the Proactiv line called Klear Action, that has identical ingredients at half the price. I only do this because of how well the Proactiv worked for me in the first place, however!
This review covers only the Renewing Cleanser, but since it is part of a 3-item facial system recommended by the Doctors who created it, my comments will be a bit broader in scope.
~Background on Proactiv:~
The reason this acne-fighting line is called "Proactiv" is precisely because it tries to eliminate blemishes BEFORE they occur. This is a different philosophy than purchasing treatments meant for spot treatment once the pimple has "sprouted".
Infomercials gave Proactiv Solutions its start, and Vanessa Williams is the celebrity spokesperson for the product. I watched the infomercial again in April of 2004 and saw Jessica Simpson AND Britney Spears endorsements as well!
I'd like to make fun of the fact that this product was launched via infomercials, but I can't. It was watching this advertisement on a cable channel one evening that introduced me to the Proactiv system. I was 29 years old and refused to go out with my friends due to the acne I felt deeply ashamed of. I realize this was an extreme reaction, but I know many teenagers, young mothers, men and women in their 30's and 40's who suffer from acne and the key word here is suffer.
I listened carefully to Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields, the two dermatologists who created Proactiv, and whose credentials were quite impressive. From the Proactiv web site: "Dr. Rodan is Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Stanford University School of Medicine, and Dr. Fields is Clinical Instructor of Dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco." I was skeptical at first, and had lots of knowledge about what makes acne form and the myths involved in treating it, so I was ready to pounce if they said anything about shrinking pore sizes (impossible) or miracle cures. . .but these ladies were very honest and up front.
For instance, this system should probably be supplemented with an oral antibiotic for severe cases of acne. It works best for moderate acne, which is the category I fall under. They also stated accurately that there is no CURE for acne, only treatment. I trusted them on some level because I ended up buying the 3-part system. It helped me enough that I was able to go off the Tetracycline I was taking within 3 months of usage.
~What is the Proactiv System?:~
The system consists of three products: Renewing Cleanser, Revitalizing Toner, and Repairing Lotion. They are sold as a group of three on the official Proactiv website and on national television.
~The Cleanser and my own experience~
The cleanser in this 3-step system is wonderful, although since my first purchasing Proactiv I have noticed that the exfoliation part of the formula has lessened. It combines exfoliation of dead skin cells with actual cleansing of the skin. Before I purchased Proactiv, I would cleanse with products like Neutrogena Facial Acne Wash but never exfoliate. I simply didn't want to spend the time on another step in my daily routine. The cleanser combines these steps and I truly could feel the difference in my skin.
The active ingredient listed on the bottle is Benzoyl Peroxide, an anti-bacterial agent to fight acne. Benzoyl Peroxide has the chemical properties to penetrate INSIDE the skin's surface and unplug pores. This is a potential irritant to skin, but because of the low percentage (2.5%) and the soothing base it is housed in, my skin has not ONCE been irritated. This is a far different thing than putting pure 10% solutions of over-the-counter Oxy 10 on your blemishes. I will never do that again to my skin. This ingredient also kills bacteria that live on the surface of the skin and cause acne.
This cleanser has just a bit of a gritty feel to it, because of the exfoliating product, Polyethylene. Unlike an Apricot Facial Scrub that can cause microscopic tears on the skin's surface with jagged bits of Apricot pit, this cleanser has small round beads that loosen the dead skin cells gently and don't scratch the skin's surface. I wish the cleanser had even more of this exfoliating product - although I can't prove it, it seems to have lessened since I first purchased it.
Since Benzoyl Peroxide can be irritating to the skin, it is set in a base of Chamomile Extract, known for its soothing properties.
Do not use this product to remove eye-makeup. That step needs to be done separately. Proactiv can really dry out the delicate skin around the eyes - after several years of using this product, I suspect I may have prematurely aged the skin underneath my eyes by not using a separate emoliant eye-makeup remover.
No animal by-products are used and no animals are used to test these products, which is a good thing to know.
~A word about the use of this cleanser~
For optimum results, you are instructed to "massage gently for one to two minutes". If I skip this and just spread it on my face and rinse I do not feel as clean. Because this product is trying to be gentle, you do need to massage the around the surface of the skin to loosen dead skin cells. It's rather like a stamp being stuck to an envelope. I used to collect stamps and I would carefully steam the stamp from the envelope as the water loosened the adhesive from the paper. It took time!
The longer a product is left on the skin, the more effective it is. Think about how long you leave the cleanser on your skin - time yourself and I think you will see that one or two minutes is a long time compared to what you are used to! It is worth it, however, to give the cleanser a chance to do its job.
Ingredient List: (Active: Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5%)
Water, Disodium Dimethicone Copolyol Sulfosuccinate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Tridecyl Stearate, Neopentylglycol Dicaprylate/ Dicaparate, Tridecyl Trimelliate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sorbitol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Polyethylene, Cetyle Esters, Sodium PCA, Chamomile Extract, Xanthan Gum, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Sodium Hyaluronate, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Fragrance. ** Note: this product does have fragrance. You could have fooled me, but the official website says 4-5 ingredients are used to mask the scent of the Benzoyl Peroxide. It smells like nothing to me - clean and clear.
~I Tell My Story~
I started using Proactiv at age 27 when I began taking a medication that aggravates, even CAUSES acne. This devastated me. I was Homecoming Queen at my high school, and used to be teased if I would develop even ONE blemish on my face. Vain? Well yes, but try terribly insecure as well. My skin is so fair that the redness of a pimple will stand out like a red beacon in a snowstorm! I care what others think of me, probably too much so, and the acne I was dealing with consisted of the following.
1. Blackheads on the "mask" area of the face,
(nose, under the eyes,) forehead, and chin
2. Cystic, painful, hardened bumps under jawline
3. Good old-fashioned zits on sides of mouth
I tried Neutrogena, Almay, Prescription Cleocin-T, Stridex, Oxy 10, Aveda Botanical Cleansing Gel, Clean & Clear, Sea Breeze, Noxzema, Mary Kay, Clinque, and several more I am blocking from my memory! I don't want to put down these other products; I am simply stating that Proactiv Cleanser made a visible difference whereas the other products simply cleansed my face.
As stated earlier, due to finances I now use a "knock-off" of Proactiv called "Klear Action" which has identical ingredients and I really do recommend it if you are looking for a product that is half the cost of Proactiv.
~Specifically what difference did it make?~
Why I'm glad you asked! Blackheads were (I am not exaggerating this) close to eliminated on my nose and chin. Cystic breakouts beneath the jaw-line were decreased by about 75%. Acne around my mouth was cut in half. The surface of my skin was smoother, well cleansed and although pores DO NOT open and close (that is a myth), the appearance of pores was that they were smaller. They certainly weren't filled with oil and sebum and traces of makeup as they had been before.
~How does the Cleanser work apart from the System?~
I previously felt it was unnecessary to use the other two steps of the Proactiv system, and that the Cleanser was enough on its own. Since that time I have learned the value of the toner and lotion, because a product is more effective when it stays on the skin for a length of time.
The toner really does feel good on the skin and remove traces of the cleanser and makeup, and the lotion stays on the skin, working all day vs. the quick one or two minute usage of the cleanser.
~Ease of use? How do I use this stuff?~
1. Wet your face. (This is to make the product go further)
2. Squeeze a dime-sized amount into palm and apply to face
3. Massage GENTLY for one to two minutes
4. Rinse away product with water!
** Now I've already touched on this but eye makeup really should be removed in a separate step. In the long run, Benzoyl Peroxide is drying and you don't want that around the delicate eye tissue.
~How much product do I get?~
The Renewing Cleanser is 4 oz./120 ml. It comes in a white plastic bottle with green lettering. Very simple packaging. This can last months at a time, but you MUST use a dime sized amount and apply it AFTER your face is wetted down with water. The water helps to spread it evenly. Concentrate the product on the troubled areas of skin, i.e. for me it was the T-zone and under the jaw.
~The importance of moisturizing~
When using a cleanser in a 3-part system like Proactiv, it is tempting to forget the most important part of keeping skin looking young. When I was 29 and first started using Proactiv, I didn't give too much thought to the fact that my skin would be aging someday. If I could go backward in time, I would NEVER use this cleanser to remove eye makeup or even get close to the delicate skin around my eyes.
I am now 36 years old and believe me, you MUST incorporate moisturizer into your daily routine when using Proactiv (or any acne system) because although gentle, the cleanser is designed to get rid of excess oil and sebum and for fragile skin around the eyes - heck, for skin in general, moisture is what keeps it young. When you have acne-prone skin you usually want to avoid moisturizers, and I agree that in the T-zone they usually are not helpful, but if you plan on using Proactiv try a moisturizer made just for the eye area. You won't regret it.
~What does this cost - can I buy it individually?~
I found this product listed separately for $16.00 at www.QVC.com. along with an amazing amount of other Proactiv products I had no idea existed. This was the only site I found that listed Proactiv items separately. They do offer a grouped option for $41.00 + $4.42 shipping and handling. If you are uncertain about this system, why not try the "Proactiv Mini-Maintenance System" with once ounce bottles each of Cleanser, Toner and Repairing Lotion for $15.00 + $4.22 shipping.
The Proactiv website offers only a grouped option of Cleanser, Toner, Lotion and Mask for $39.95 + $5.95 in shipping and handling, but you get signed up for the "Clear Skin Club" in which every two months you are shipped another batch and charged the same amount to your credit card. I don't like this at all.
Again, I recommend checking out the Klear Action product line as an alternative (no, I do not get any reimbursement for recommending this product line - it's just such a good deal!) - literally the cost is only $16.99 for cleanser, toner and acne lotion and the ingredients are IDENTICAL. From experience it works just as well.
~I can't buy this product anywhere but QVC?~
Well, if you are willing to do a little extra you can. Here is what I do. People that have joined the Proactiv Club get delivered far too many products. The products sit around collecting dust. Try typing the word "Proactiv" (WATCH THE SPELLING - even our lovely website here has added an "e" to the end of Proactiv) in on eBay. You will see a lot of listings for Proactiv products - Be sure to figure in the shipping costs before bidding and watch for expiration dates!)
Another option is to go to an acne support group such as one found at www.google.com (click the "groups" tab at the top of the screen) and post a message requesting that if anyone has extra Proactiv Cleanser you are interested in buying it.
The curious part about Proactiv is that they will send you a catalog in which you CAN order things individually. (See the 1-800 number listed below.)
~In Conclusion~
I'd like to thank you for reading my thoughts about Proactiv Renewing Cleanser. I hope you will consider giving it a try if you are not overly strapped financially, because truthfully, it dramatically changed my skin for the better and enabled me to go off of the antibiotics my dermatologist had given me.
There are no miracle cures for acne, and yet as someone who has been helped by this product it sure feels like one. I have yet to find a cleanser that combines the exfoliation process, cleansing process and antibacterial fighting properties of Proactiv or the "knock-off" product I currently use. (see below for the website where I purchased multiple "kits" to stock up on it in case they stop making it!)
I rate this product as "Excellent" and encourage you to email me from my profile page with any questions you may have.
~*~Thanks again for reading, and I wish you clear skin!~*~
Melissa
"hempem"
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For More Information:
Proactiv
www.proactiv.com
1-800-333-0153
Klear Action
http://www.stuffseenontv.com/klear_action_86_prd1.htm
Recommended:
Yes
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hempem
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You are not superior just because you see the world in an odious light.
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