Ok, I’ll admit.  I saw Jennifer Love Whatever’s face shining out at me on the television and thought, ‘Heck, why not.  I’ll give Proactiv a try’.  My decision was helped along by my friend who has used Proactiv for years and has absolutely flawless skin. 

The secret of Proactiv is the presence of Benzoyl Peroxide.  Benzoyl Peroxide introduces oxygen into the pores, which eliminates the environment in which acne thrives.  Without a nice environment to fester in, acne dies off and doesn’t return.

So I bought the 3 step program and started applying, confident that, since the product’s formula is basic science, I can’t go wrong, can I?

My skin dried out, turned a bright shade of red, before it started to flake.  It was like a sunburn so I persisted with the product in the hope that the new skin coming through would respond positively.  It didn’t.  It stayed red and flaky until I finally threw in the towel and gave up. 

I also found that this product bleached everything it came into contact with.  Towels, clothes, everything! Even my pillow case suffered from the Benzoyl Peroxide.

Unfortunately, my experience wasn’t great.  Don’t get me wrong.  I don’t doubt the science and my dear friend is living proof that Proactiv can work, and work beautifully.  She has experienced none of the problems I did. It just didn’t work for me. 

Pros: There is science behind this product, which I like.

Cons: Benzoyl Peroxide may not agree with certain skins, will bleach everything it comes into contact with.

3 Piece Proactiv System

$19.95 – Proactiv