ProActive Revitalizing Toner - It actually does what the infomercial says!
Written: Sep 18 '03 (Updated Sep 18 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Evens out skin tone; refreshing feeling; no scent.
Cons: Can be drying at first; one bottle doesn't last as long as the Renewing Cleanser.
The Bottom Line: Absolutely try it--one of the best, most effective toners out there if you stick with it.
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| marinamartin's Full Review: Proactive Solution Revitalizing Toner |
My Skin Care Needs
I have tried a variety of skin care products over the years—mostly Origins, some Neutrogena, Aveeno, and other brands. My skin has never fit a particular category; it’s prone to breakouts, blotchy, dries out like the desert within 30 seconds of cleansing, and is then oily for the rest of the day. Some ‘combination’!
To add to my dilemma, I moved from New England to the West to California over the course of a few years, and just when I thought a particular skin care regimen was working for me, I would move to a different climate and have to start all over again. Mind you, ‘working’ still meant never being seen without full foundation coverage, even with my boyfriend at 2am!
A particularly humid weekend in Los Angeles a month before I first moved out there made it clear that full foundation was out of the question, unless I planned to sit on a chair in front of my air conditioning event for all eternity. The weather was just too hot and makeup positively dripped off, leaving a very unpleasant sight.
As a last-ditch effort, I stopped by a ProActive mall kiosk and figured the $50 it cost for the entire system was just the same as buying one new tube of my current cleanser, so it wouldn’t hurt too much if it turned out to be just a fad. But the kiosk was surrounded by return customers, so I figured it had to work…
The Basics – Revitalizing Toner
The basic system consists of three parts designed to work together: Cleanser, Toner, and Repairing Lotion. There are also additional products, including the Refining Mask and Moisturizing Lotion, if your skin needs them. Check out my other reviews for more information.
The Revitalizing Toner is intended to be used after washing with the Renewing Cleanser. A healthy squirt onto a cotton ball should be enough to rub over your entire face.
The bottle is 4-ounces, the same as the Renewing Cleanser, but since it is a green liquid (not a cream like the Cleanser) and the cotton balls invariably absorb some excess, I have found that the bottle lasts just a little over two months (as opposed to at least three months for the Cleanser). Then again, I like to be generous with my toner.
There is no scent associated with the Revitalizing Toner.
Be careful if you have open cuts or sores on your face, for it may burn slightly on contact.
You are supposed to wait five minutes after applying the Toner before attempting any other steps. In the beginning, because I had such dry skin, I sometimes found it hard to wait a full five minutes without my face feeling uncomfortably taut. From experience, I can say that going to the moisturizer as soon as the toner dries shouldn’t hurt the overall effect, although if you can wait, it only helps it to work better.
The Results
Within the matter of a few days after starting the complete ProActive system, I saw and felt noticeable changes. No new break-outs, my skin was less oily, and best of all, a more even skin tone! By the time I was packing for Los Angeles a month later, I was ready to leave my foundation behind—in the garbage.
Toners are known to be drying, and this is no different. I have to say that it was after a full two months of use that my skin felt most even and the toner now maintains that level, and doesn’t dry my skin at all. At the same time, my skin isn’t oily, either.
It did take a bit of tinkering in order to achieve the best results for my particular skin. I found the Repairing Lotion left a flakey residue on my cheeks that left me constantly splashing water on my face. Searching for a temporary moisturizer fill-in for the evening, I stumbled upon a sampler of Lancome’s Vinefit Cooling Gel, which, when combined with the Renewing Cleanser and Toner, has had amazing results. Not only is my face almost completely clear with no signs of redness, but its moisture levels are finally balanced. If I forget to moisturize after the Toner, my face no longer dries up in seconds—in fact, it doesn’t dry up at all.
This stuff may convince me to believe in infomercials a bit more. Try it out, and experiment with the different products, and with others. Mix-and-match. It’s unrealistic to believe that one 3-step system would be the best possible system for all women across the board, but I certainly believe in the Revitalizing Toner!
Purchase Information
Call toll free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
1-800-950-4695
Order Online:
http://www.proactive.com/
Or by mail:
Proactive Solution
c/o Guthy-Renker
P.O. Box 362965
Des Moines, IA 50336-2965
Special Tip: For your first order, get the 5-piece kit that includes the Moisturizing Lotion and Daily Oil Control. This set will last you at least two months, giving you plenty of time to experiment and decide which ones work best.
If the three basic pieces (Cleanser, Toner, and Repairing Lotion) all work for you, definitely sign up for the “Club” and have the set conveniently delivered to your home every two months (you can speed up or slow down shipments based on your needs).
If you choose not to incorporate one of the three basic pieces, there isn’t a “Club” option for you, as every package includes at least these three pieces. Check your local malls for kiosks and buy the pieces individually—saves shipping *and* paying for products you won’t use.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
marinamartin
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Member: Marina Martin
Location: Los Angeles, CA USA
Reviews written: 20
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
An efficiency / business consultant and public relations specialist in Los Angeles, CA.
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