NON-active is more like it (or maybe ANTI-active!)
Written: Mar 19 '03 (Updated Apr 30 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Knowing that this stuff absolutely DOES NOT work!
Cons: Irritating & harsh. Causes dryness, redness & tautness of the skin.
The Bottom Line: This "cleanser" is rough and irritating to the skin. It can also cause dryness, peeling, and even fine lines! It feels more like scratchy exfoliant than a face cleanser. Steer.clear!
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| pinkants's Full Review: Proactive Solution Renewing Cleanser |
Unfortunately, I've had acne since my teenage years. I'm not talking about having relatively normal skin and then a zit pops up now and then. Nope. My skin was never free from the dreaded blemish...okay, so it wasn't really that bad...maybe two new ones would pop up every week, adding to the two old ones that already existed from the week before. To make things worse, they weren't the non-inflammatory blackhead (open comedo) or the whitehead (closed comedo). I have pustules (wait-don't be grossed out! I just wanted to give you a background of my skin type so you can better make comparisons/decisions :)
Naturally, many people's families don't have insurance or the money to see a dermatologist. Furthermore, I'm sure that many people (like me) have tried just about everything under sun. Then Proactiv came along.
Their ads were so appealing, and the photos along with the users' stories sounded so convincing. I was about 21 then, and I've just had it up to here (envision hand over head) with acne. I've already spent so much money on various products, that I thought, "What the heck?"
Proactiv Solution Renewing Cleanser is the first step in their 3-step system of complementary products (it purports to be a "Combination Therapy™ acne management system"). It comes in a plastic cylindrical bottle with a screw-off top. No fancy packaging--just white with green words. The hole/opening of the bottle is relatively small so you can control how much you squeeze out.
When I put some onto my hands, I noticed a light, somewhat artificial floral scent; however, a marked medicinal odor is also mingled within.
The cleanser is white, creamy, and grainy. It contains finely-milled prescription-grade benzoyl peroxide, which is supposed to the penetrate pores to reduce the bacteria associated with acne (usually Propionibacterium acnes). I am not sure if the grainy texture is due to the benzoyl peroxide or just the polyethylene (see ingredients below). The grains are supposed to unclog pores and gently exfoliate dead cells and impurities.
This grainy texture made me wary as I have quite delicate skin, and I was used to very gentle exfoliants. Turns out I had a reason to worry! I found this cleanser to be very harsh and scratchy. Furthermore, the method of use is to add a small amount into the palm and massage gently onto dampened skin for 1-2 minutes. It does not foam, nor it is frothy; it simply retains its moisturizer-like (but gritty) consistency. I think I was near tears by the end of the minute! My irritated face was red and smarting with pain. It also felt very dry and taut.
In addition, I did not feel that this cleanser did a thorough job of cleaning. It did not remove make-up well, so the next time, I had to use a make-up remover beforehand. I felt as if this so-called "cleanser" was more of a prickly exfoliant.
I do not recommend this cleanser or the system. I tried to stick it out for 2 months, but it just irritated my skin and made my condition worse due to its intense drying and almost caustic properties. I also started to notice the appearance fine lines after using the system for about 2 weeks! However, I cannot say if using the cleanser alone will cause this.
Proactiv products can only be purchased through their company. You can by this 4 fl. oz. cleanser for $16.00 (or $12.95 Club Price). The entire 3-step system costs $49.95 (or $39.95 Club Price), and it comes with the Renewing Cleanser, a 4 oz. bottle of the Revitalizing Toner and a 2 oz. bottle of the Repairing Lotion.
You can call their toll free number (1-800-950-4695), order online (http://www.proactive.com), or order by mail:
Proactive Solution
c/o Guthy-Renker
P.O. Box 362965
Des Moines, IA 50336-2965
There is a risk-free guarantee of up to 60 days. You can return the bottle (even empty!) for a refund, minus shipping & handling.
This guarantee is useful as this drying, irritating, & scratchy "cleanser" will make you want to hurl it back at the company as quickly as possible!
Re-cap of Features:
-1st step of 3-step system
-artificial floral & medicinal odor
-creamy & grainy texture
-contains "finely-milled prescription-grade" benzoyl peroxide (to destroy bacteria)
-SUPPOSEDLY unclogs pores
-harshly exfoliates dead cells & impurities
-does not do a thorough job of cleasing
-causes dryness and tightness of the skin
-causes a stinging sensation
-possibly causes fine lines
-to be massaged onto damp skin for 1-2 minutes (follow with their Revitalizing Toner)
-can be used on face, chest & back
-risk free guarantee
-only one venue of purchase
Ingredients:
Active Ingredient: Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5%
Other Ingredients: Water, Disodium Dimethicone Copolyol Sulfosuccinate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Tridecyl Stearate, Neopentylglycol Dicaprylate/ Dicaparate, Tridecyl Trimelliate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sorbitol (a naturally occuring moisturizer),
Dimethyl Isosorbide, Polyethylene (small round beads that remove old, dead cells) Cetyle Esters, Sodium PCA, Chamomile Extract (soothes), Xanthan Gum, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Sodium Hyaluronate (acts like a humectant to draw moisture to your skin), Imidazolidinyl Urea, Fragrance.
Some last words...
I feel that the Proactiv system relies too heavily on benzoyl peroxide, which can keep the bacteria at bay, but doesn't affect sebum production or the way skin follicle cells are shed.
I am now seeing a dermatologist with AMAZING results! It is well worth it to have a professional examine and diagnose your skin, as there are so many types of acne and treatments out there.
Good luck!
For more information on this and other Proactive products, please visit:
http://www.proactiv.com
For more information on acne, please try:
American Academy of Dermatology
P.O. Box 4014
Schaumburg, IL 60168-4014
(847) 330-0230
Fax: (847) 330-0050
http://www.aad.org/
National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NAMSIC)
National Institutes of Health
1 AMS Circle
Bethesda, MD 20892-3675
301/495-4484
Fax: 301/718-6366
TTY: 301/565-2966
http://www.nih.gov/niams/
NIAMS Fast Facts -- For health information that is available 24 hours a day by fax, call 301/881-2731 from a fax machine telephone.
WebMD Health
http://www.webmd.com
For more information on benzoyl peroxide, including side effects, storage, and dosing, please visit:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202086.html
(A service of the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health).
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
pinkants
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Member: Pink Ants
Location: ANTarctica
Reviews written: 27
Trusted by: 40 members
About Me:
i'm a homeowner--yay! boston property taxes--boo!
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