In this Proactiv Review we will explain to you what Proactiv is, how does it work, what are its ingredients, side effects, show you real customers reviews, give you prices & recommend best places to buy it.
While a great number of conditions can affect the skin, acne remains to be one of the most common.
Moderate-to-severe symptoms of this skin condition affect approximately 20% of adolescents and young adults, while millions more experience mild-to-moderate acne symptoms.
It is estimated that 64% of people in their 20s find that acne continues to persist.
Acne does not only cause physical scars and symptoms, but has a significant impact on an affected person’s emotions, social activities, interpersonal relations, and even how they perform at work or school.
Proactive is one of the world’s most popular acne treatment systems and have been used by millions of people.
We’ve decided to take a look at what this brand is all about, what type of ingredients they use in their products, whether or not customers are truly happy with the results, and more.
What Is Proactiv?
Proactive is a complete acne treatment system.
The brand started out with a single three-step system but has since introduced two new systems that offer more advanced formulas to deliver an effective treatment among users who experience more severe symptoms of this common skin condition.
The products are manufactured under the brand name “The Proactive Company LLC.”
This is an American-based company.
The brand was founded two decades ago and, according to their official website, they have been rated the number one brand of acne products in the United States multiple times.
They use the latest breakthroughs in scientific research to deliver effective solutions to their customers that help them get rid of their acne and restore their self-confidence.
Proactiv: What Do They Sell?
The Proactive brand only specializes in skin care solutions that are aimed at the most common skin condition, Acne Vulgaris.
This condition affects millions of people and causes them to experience emotional difficulties, often leading to social isolation because of low self-esteem.
All of the products offered by this brand is included in a system.
These systems consist of multiple items that are used in combination with each other to help deliver a more effective approach to the treatment of acne among users.
The company started out with the original Proactive 3-Step Acne Treatment System in 1995.
Since then, they have updated their corporate identity and have perfected their acne treatment products based on more recent scientific studies and breakthroughs.
This has led them to develop one of the most potent over-the-counter acne treatment systems on the market.
The brand now has three different systems on the market.
The original system is still available, which they are constantly improving as new research becomes available.
In addition to their original three-step acne treatment solution, the other two acne systems have also been introduced more recently.
- The ProactiveMD 3-Piece System.
- The Proactive+ 3-Step System.
The ProactiveMD system has been developed from the ground up to provide a potent formula that primarily utilizes retinoid.
The system is also available without a prescription.
This is the first product range from this brand that focuses on more than just acne – the MD range helps the user experience improvements in the overall wellbeing of their skin, as well as helps to boost moisture levels.
Furthermore, this 3-piece system has also been developed to offer the user effective protection against the sun – sun exposure is known to be a primary cause of premature aging and many other issues that the population is facing today.
The Proactive+ system is similar to their original series of products but offers a more powerful solution that can be used by individuals who find that three-step acne solution from the brand does not work well for them.
This system, however, is not advised for individuals with exceptionally sensitive skin, as the ingredients are more powerful and also more likely to cause certain reactions in some individuals.
Proactiv Most Popular Products
The most popular products from the Proactive brand would most certainly be the very first system that the brand has developed.
This system has been sold to over 20 million people, according to the official website of the brand, and provides an effective approach to the treatment of Acne Vulgaris, without causing excessive oiliness or dry skin, and without irritating the user’s skin.
The Proactive Solution 3-Step System comes with, as the name describes, three different products.
These include:
- Cleanse – A daily cleanser that is used twice daily to help remove excess dirt, dead skin cells, oil, and other impurities on the user’s face.
- Tone – A toner that is applied after the user’s face has been cleaned to help energize the skin, balance the pH levels of the skin, and to allow the user to experience a refreshing feeling.
- Treat – A treatment serum that is applied after toning to help penetrate deep into the pores of the user’s skin and destroy the bacteria that is causing them to experience frequent breakouts.
Proactiv Side Effects
The majority of reviews that we found related to the three systems offered by this brand were positive and mentioned noticeable improvements in the user’s acne.
There were, however, some reviews that were not as positive and listed a couple of side-effects that we think all individuals should be wary of if they are new to this brand.
Not everyone will experience these symptoms, but a simple test on a small spot prior to applying these products on a person’s entire face may help them determine if they could experience such adverse reactions when opting for the Proactive three-step system.
Most side-effects that are noted in these reviews were regarding the development of rashes and dry skin.
Some users found that their skin started to peel after they started to use these products.
There are also a couple of users who experience an increase in acne breakout frequency and severity when they opted for these products.
Additionally, some customers did note that the side-effects lasted several weeks after they stopped using the product.
Proactiv Reviews
Since Proactive is such a popular brand, it did not come as a surprise that we were able to find hundreds of reviews on different platforms on the internet.
These reviews helped us see how this brand’s products really work – and if they actually work.
We were able to determine whether people liked what the products do to their faces, whether the products are too harsh and cause side-effects, and see if people are really becoming free of acne as the brand claims.
To help our readers get a better idea of what other people have experienced with the products offered by this particular brand, we would like to share some reviews that we found on Amazon’s online shopping platform.
We will, of course, include both five-star and one-star reviews to provide an unbiased view and allow our readers to make a more informed decision.
Positive Reviews
Udonmon says:
Proactive always works on my acne skin. I have been using this since my early 20s, and I am near 40 already. Too bad I still have acne skin at this age, but it’s good that Proactive works on my skin. Sometimes it’s too dry, but I will put more moisture lotions at night and use Proactive only in the morning.
Angles says:
Great Product! This product works wonders for teens with oily skin with mild to moderate acne. We were blown away at the results after three weeks. We were hesitant to begin this product thinking it was expensive and may not provide the results as claimed. For our teen, it has been worth every penny. We purchase it repeatedly.
Heather says:
It seems to be working for my daughter as I just ordered another three month supply.
Negative Reviews
Woah says:
NOPE. I recently purchased this product thinking it would be the cure for breakouts of my chin, but NO. It aggravated the problem and led to my recent hospital visit to get a doctor’s opinion about my skin woes. Seriously, this product over-dried my skin and led to a disfiguring rash on my chin. My doctor recommended I stop using such harsh products like Proactive (the chemicals seriously destroyed my skin).
Lucero Cantu Garza says:
Horrible damage in your skin… No for delicates skin, a lot of chemicals, pretty harmful.
Keyboard Monster says:
Proactive made my skin so dry it’s peeling off. And one spot on my face actually felt like it was burning and is still sensitive. I haven’t used it for a week, and my skin is STILL coming off. It looks gross, and moisturizer will stop it for a little while, but then it starts peeling again. Be careful if you have sensitive skin, because Benzoyl Peroxide was unbelievably harsh. My sister experienced the same thing, and I didn’t heed her warning.
Proactiv Packages, Prices & Where To Buy
The brand sells their products on the official Proactive e-commerce platform.
In addition to being available from their official website, customers can also buy products from this brand on Amazon and some other third-party online retailers.
Apart from being available at numerous online retailers, the system can only be purchased at a couple of offline retailers, including Walmart, which is convenient for individuals who prefer to buy their skin care solutions in person.
Proactiv Money Back Guarantee & Refund Policy
Every order made by a new customer from the official Proactive website is backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee.
This means that individuals who are new to the brand would be able to get their money back if the product does not work for them or causes them to experience side-effects.
It is important to note, however, that the money-back guarantee does not provide a full refund on the purchase amount to the customer, but rather the full amount minus a fee for shipping and handling.
Customers will have to send the bottles back to the manufacturer if they wish to apply for a refund.
The bottles may be empty when they send it back.
Proactiv Pros & Cons
- The Proactive system is one of the most popular acne solutions in the United States and provides a powerful formula for targeting the underlying causes of acne – which is the buildup of bacteria underneath the skin.
- The brand has released three different systems that allow their customers to choose which would be most appropriate for them – the regular range, a more powerful option, or a system that will also help to moisturize the skin effectively.
- Each system comes with a 60-day guarantee for new customers, allowing the customer first to determine if the product may be helpful to them in getting rid of their acne and improving the appearance of their skin.
- When opting for a refund, the company will deduct a shipping and processing fee from the refund amount. Thus, the customer will not receive all their money back.
- We found that there is a relatively large number of people who have experienced adverse reactions to the ingredients in these products, especially the items that contain the active ingredient Benzoyl Peroxide. Rashes, sensitivity, irritation and dry skin can all be harmful to the skin and lead to long-lasting effects.
- It seems like the brand is currently not available in all countries. They primarily distribute their products to customers in the United States. Shipping options are available for a limited number of other countries, but this will incur additional shipping charges.
Proactiv Review: Final Verdict
Acne can be a persistent problem that causes by physical and mental scars, due to the psychological complications.
Proactive is known to be a particularly popular brand in the United States.
Founded in 1995, this company has filled over 20 million orders and provides a prescription-strength acne solution without the need for a prescription or a visit to a dermatologist.
The Proactive brand is backed by hundreds of positive reviews on their own platform, as well as on third-party platforms, such as their product listings that can be found on Amazon.
While most people report positive results after using these products, there are a couple of users who have experienced some mild adverse reactions when using the Proactive three-step system.
The product does seem to be effective, but customers interested in the system should ensure they do their research first and ensure the ingredients are appropriate for their skin type.
So, what do you think about our Proactiv review? Would you buy this product or not? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
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