ive been using proactive for a few months and haven't seen much change in my skin. however, it does get rid of sudden breakouts pretty well!

I used it, and it only works at the time. Like, while your using it. And it made my skin super dry! It's as good as any neutrogena product...

i used it for 3 months & it took a month to make any difference, but it didn't prevent breakouts so it was an endless cycle of clear skin for about 2 days then another breakout...

I used it all through middle school and I saw a huge improvement on my skin. However, in the last year or so, I've tried it and the effect was quite different. I still got breakouts and my skin was very dry! The mask is wonderful though, and I still buy that, but I just stick to Dove exfoliating soap and hydrogen peroxide as a toner instead of buying the whole Proactive set. >i<

NO! it just drys out your skin and doesn't cure breakouts. But what has worked for me is Neutrogina's Advanced Solutions it doesn't dry your skin, it clears you up in about a week. However it will set you back about $20 every time that you need face wash

The mask is the only thing that worked for my skin, but it works so well!

MY BOYFRIEND USED IT AND IT WORKED PRETTY WELL BUT NOBODY SEEMS TO MENTION THAT IT BLEACHES YOUR TOWELS, AND BEDDING!!! THAT WAS ENOUGH TO MAKE HIM STOP USING IT! THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER THINGS OUT THERE THAT WORK WITHOUT THE HASSLE.

I hear that proactiv screws up your skin forever. I heard it gets extremely dry and flaky.. and may even cause scaring from using it for a long period of time. Try Aveeno skincare products if you want a reliable, natural cleanser for a good price.

I've had moderatly bad acne my whole life. I have oily, sensitive skin. Drs were always prescribing this cream or that pill for me with very limited results. My mom finally bought me a proactive kit and it was like a miracle! It REALLY works for me! I guess everyone's skin is different but I have repeatedly reccommended this product for the last 10 years.

proactiv varies with skin type.. i have minimal but occasional break outs.. proactiv made me break out and i thought that's how it worked and it'll go away after a wk or two... but after 2 1/2 months it never made my face clear. if i didn't use it, my skin was actually better. clean and clear actually has a counterpart to this product, a bit cheaper, and it works for my friend. ponds facial wipes and neutrogena blackhead eliminator is fab!

I personally hated it. It seemed to dry out my skin and caused more breakouts then I had before. BUT I still do use the Green Tea Lotion.

I personally hated it. It seemed to dry out my skin and caused more breakouts then I had before. BUT I still do use the Green Tea Lotion.

Proactiv did not work for me. I think it is a complete waste of money. Neutrogena products actually work better in my opinion. However, the only thing that truly cleared my skin was Accutane (pills), which is proscribed by a dermatologist.

I used it for almost a year and it never made any difference at all. It was a huge waste of money. The lotion that came with it was about the only thing I liked about it, but I use Olay night cream and it does the same thing.

I used it. For a while. And all it did was make my skin really dry. And more sensitive. Now, I just make a honey or lemon mask. Or both. They do a good job of decreasing redness, and size of acne. And they make my skin very very soft. And have a glow.

I used proactiv for like 6 or 7 months and it worked for the first month and slowly stopped working on my breakouts. I have oily skin so the drying didn't bother me as much, but it didn't keep my skin from being oily. the oil would just come back 30 minutes after washing my face. i can buy a cheaper face wash and get the exact same effect.

It works for me, however you have to be extremely consistent with using it every day, day and night. Any time I don't use it at night for a couple of days, I will break out. I've used it for 5 months now, and my skin is finally clear now! It took a long time, but at least now I have clear skin. The dryness only lasts for a couple of weeks, then your skin gets used to it, oh and if you don't use the mask, it won't be as effective. I tried several products before that didn't work until this. It does bleach the towels though, just buy a white towel for your face! you shouldn't be using the same one that your drying your hands with anyway. About the scarring, you'll only get scars if you pinch your face, and the booklet that comes with proactiv specifically tells you not to, since you're skin is a little sensitive because of the product, you will damage your skin by pinching it a lot more than if you were not using the product, If you don't you won't get scars.

I don't even get acne, and even simple cleansers dry out my skin and can irritate it. I find the best thing to do is just leave your skin ALONE. And use a good moisturizer with SPF. Best thing you can do.

I have the world's oiliest skin and really tight pores. I used proactive for a good couple of months and really I saw a difference in my skin for the first two weeks of useage, then my skin went back to what it was before. Like other products i've used, my skin like built up a deffense against it. So I stopped useing it because it stopped working.

I have the world's oiliest skin and really tight pores. I used proactive for a good couple of months and really I saw a difference in my skin for the first two weeks of useage, then my skin went back to what it was before. Like other products i've used, my skin like built up a deffense against it. So I stopped useing it because it stopped working.

Proactiv never really got rid of my bumps, but it did prevent any new pimples from arising. But it doesn't work when you stop using it. It's a waste of money for people who don't have severe acne.

I had terrible acne and within a month i noticed dramatic changes and within 6 months my skin was clear, however i have been told by skin specialists not to use it for longer than 6 months as the active ingredient can bring on premature ageing due to the strength of it and the peeling effect it has. However I would deffinately reccomend it.

I used proactiv and it was ok... I have really oily skin and it still dried out my face so I stopped using it and now i use Murad. Its far more expensive but works a lot better for me even though there are more steps to the system and I also like that Murad has vitamins that you can take if you forget to use one or two of the potions. I like having my options.

Damnit I have acne and have no idea what to even try :( This blows What else really works I was gonna try proactiv but wasn't sure

I've had horrible oily, acne-prone skin since I was about 13; I have tried numerous things to attempt to clear my breakouts and prevent them, and Proactiv was one of those temporary results products. For maybe a month it worked, but not long after, even while using as directed, it just started to get bad again, sometimes worse. My miracle product is the AVEDA Outer Peace line. I started using when I started working at an AVEDA salon (while being a complete skeptic because NOTHING had worked before) and I've used it for over a year now with minimal breakouts that were caused mostly due to poor eating choices or stress. The system that they have smells good, doesn't burn and you see results very clearly in less than a month. It's so much more worth it to use all natural, completely safe, and heavenly scented products than super chemical pumped products like Proactiv. The AVEDA line cost about the same for better and longer lasting results.

i used proactiv a while ago and it kind of worked, but changed my skin type from oily to dry..which could be a good thing or a bad thing. In the end, it didn't do anything good for my skin, I still had acne. I don't recommend using it. It's also way to expensive. clean and clear works the best in my opinion.

I was actually using some other cream that contained the same ingredients (Benzoyl peroxide) as this Proactive. I had an allergic reaction, my face was red and puffy, under my eyes swelled and it looked like I got punched in the face. So, I don't even know if this works. it contains the same ingredients as the other cream I was using. This is really expensive and I'd find something else with the same ingredients before paying all the money for this. And make sure you don't have an allergic reaction.

Those of you who are complaining about dry skin after using it.. you are not using it properly. You are supposed to moisturize your skin after using it. They sell a moisturizer, and sometimes it comes free with a package.

Pro Activ works for people will small to mild acne... it DOES NOT work for severe acne. I used it for about 2 years, and saw small to mediocre results. It did smooth out my skin, but did not prevent break outs. If you notice in their commercials, 98% of the people they show have mostly a small amount of acne. Its almost laughable how they call 3 pimples on their chin an actual "acne" problem. Being that everyone's skin varies, I will say it probably has a higher success rate with people who have less pimples, and I will not totally slam the product even though it never worked for me... and Diddy should stop doing the commercials, because last time I checked that wasn't a pimple in the picture they showed, it was a freaking razor bump.

I thought about using Proactiv. I have quite bad acne, just started up again in my late 20s :(. I had a Dermalogica facial and was recommended several products. They are EXPENSIVE but have been working so well for the last few months.

i am not trying to brag but i have beautiful skin :P and the reason for that is i take my make-up off EVERY night and NEVER share my make-up. i clean my brushes very often to keep bacteria away! lol and i just use a face cloth and water to clean my face and neutragina or how ever u spell it body wash to super clean my face and body in the shower and i LOVE IT! its really simple. but if you have that bad of skin then you should go to your doctor and get the real stuff! they will give you really strong stuff so only use it if you really need it! and its also what kind of make-up you could be putting on your face, alot of neutragina stuff is great for you skin and same with some cover girl products! BUT never buy acne wash from drug stores in there products they have chemicals that make ur pimples go away but if u stop using it you pimples get even worse!! :O thats how they keep making you buy more!. well that my advice :) hope you do well wih you pimple fighting!! :)

Nylon really needs to do an articel on whats safe for your skin and what is not. I have noticed several users mentioning that they use Accutane. Accutane is not a safe product it dehydrates your body and can cause harm to you internal organs. It will also cause severe birth defects if you are preganat or become pregnant while using it.

I'm here to help you all out! I'm an esthetician/skin care therapist. I've worked in skin care for a couple years now and have learned a lot about different skin care lines. I also suffer from breakouts and have for pretty much my whole life. I tried the Pro Activ system and it did work for a short time although once I stopped using it my breakouts came back. The reason you're experiencing dryness is because all the oil and lipids are being stripped from your skin. What the system is actually doing is AGING your skin. The skin needs some oil, it acts as a lubricant. So without that oil; fine lines, wrinkles and all that lovely stuff will pop up a lot sooner. I work with Dermalogica and that is one of my top recommendations. They have the MediBac line that is for adult acne. They've also just released Clean Start - which is a line made specially for teens. Murad also makes an acne kit. Try those out and see how they work for you! If you can find a place that uses Dermalogica they will most likely offer Face Mapping - a free skin analysis. It will explain why your skin is the way it is. What you can do to make it better and if you have any questions you can get some answers.

i've used proactiv for a while and it's the only one that keeps my skin clear. i had mild acne when i started, but now my skin is super clear. DEFINITELY BE CAREFUL OF BLEACHING YOUR SHEETS OR CLOTHES. That stuff-- benzoyl peroxide -- which is in my clean and clear stuff too-- bleaches everything. but it works...

Proactiv should only be used for short term. I went to a Dermatologist and she said that benzoyl peroxide should only be used in small amounts on small blemishes but when used everyday in the way Proactiv requires, it can (for some) clear acne short term but eventually make your acne worse.

USE TEA TREE OIL FACIAL FOAMING WASH FROM THE BODY SHOP> its the best... and clears up your face like a dream. proactive didnt do anything...

I agree with jenny- i use almost all the tea tree oil products from the body shop. The night cream is really great, it helps reduce acne scars and leaves your skin feeling silky smooth in the morning.

Proactiv pretty much saved my life. I had really bad breakouts a year ago and wouldn't go outside and see people cause I was so ashamed. After using it for a week my skin started clearing up. After that my skin gets better every month. I've been using it solidly for a year and have no problems with it and my skin is so clear I dont even wear foundation anymore. However this product (like a million other things in the world) isn't right for everybody.

The refining mask works for me but I don't use it on my whole face, just for spot treatment. What has worked for me is Kiehls rare earthed oatmeal cleanser, it's kinda of pricey but a large bottle lasts a long time. Aveeno spf sunscreen for the face and finally for foundation I use Clinique Clarifying makeup it blends well but you have to shake it alot before opening to keep it from separating.

I love proactiv and it loves me back.

i personally had been using the proactiv care line about a whole summer when i found that it dried out my skin , and the only thing that really worked was seeing my dermatologist. If your serious about your skin than meeting with a dermatologist is the best decision before deciding to buy products that may not work

I used to have acne all over my face - constantly. Now it's to a point where I can cover it all easily with make-up, so that's nice. I used Proactive for about 2 years, then tried some Neutrogena products recently, and found them to be about the same. Maybe Proactive got me over the worst of my acne, but after that? I think it works the same as other cheaper brands. But that's just how it's been for me. I'm sure Proactive's worked some miracles.

even though everyone has diffrrnt skin, pro active absolutly worked on mine. YES it does dry your skin up, BUT only at the beginning, it DOESNT scar you or anything unless your some alien that def. comes from some other planet with anti-everything skin lol try it fer 6 months and itll do the trick, if it doesnt than try something else, but 2 weeks wont do anything. oh and it makes you break out tooo, but bc its cleaning out your face, afterwards it totally clears up <3

even though everyone has diffrrnt skin, pro active absolutly worked on mine. YES it does dry your skin up, BUT only at the beginning, it DOESNT scar you or anything unless your some alien that def. comes from some other planet with anti-everything skin lol try it fer 6 months and itll do the trick, if it doesnt than try something else, but 2 weeks wont do anything. oh and it makes you break out tooo, but bc its cleaning out your face, afterwards it totally clears up <3

I've had the fight of my life with my skin for 5 years, and proactive didn't do anything for me. My dermatologist said that it's pretty much the same as anything you can buy at the store- I don't get the big deal.

i used proactiv for a week and really noticed the difference and i did notice that it made my skin very dry and sore! but that's where moisturizer comes in! moisturizing is essential! and then my mum got angry at me because all the towels went a different colour and i got lazy using it because there were 3 different things to put on! haha :)

I didn't like the actual facial cleanser in proactiv. The toner was okay, the night lotion stung a bit. It didn't really do much for my skin so I discontinued it. There are, however, some pieces of the kit I'll still use with a different exfloiater or something. I would recommend the sulphuric clay mask they give you, it especially helps with my black heads on my nose. And also, hands down, the BEST moisturizer I've ever used is their Green Tea Moisturizer. Don't get the other moisturizer they offer, it sucks. The Green Tea one is where it's at!

I've been using proactive at least once a day for more than a year. When I break out, they take about 3 weeks to go away. Proactive is better at preventing other pimples than getting rid of the ones already there.

WASTE OF MONEY - (for me, anyway.) Proactiv may work for some people, but for me it was a waste of money. In high school a few years ago I had occasional breakouts and thought, like most girls do, that having clear skin required high maintenance and lots of beauty products. The daily three-four step proactiv process only dried out my skin and caused more breakouts all over my face. Some said that I just had to get used to the medicine and that eventually I would have clearer skin that would stay as long as I used the Proactiv religiously. But I stopped using it after a few months and my skin cleared up to its usual occasional pimple that I thought was a problem before I knew what true acne was (the acne I GOT from using Proactiv.) I have had clear skin since and all I do is splash it with cool water in the morning and at night. Soap and cleansers make many people, inclusing me, break out more. I usually don't wear makeup and when I do it's mineral powder that won't clog the pores. When I do get the occasional pimple I wash it with regular soap and maybe put a little benzoil peroxide on there to dry it out and it quickly goes away. In fact, whenever I have used any kind of acne cleanser it has given me more acne than before. The corporate world of beauty and skincare products wants us to be dependent and gullible so that we buy and keep buying what we think we "need" to be beautiful, and continue to buy all of the latest things that they pay some celebrity to say they use, (every new mascara, every new Clean and Clear product that fizzes or heats up or cools down or does something else that makes it seem like it must be amazing.) Unless you have very serious acne I wouldn't suggest paying for proactiv or any other treatment every month. I'm always a fan of fixing things the more natural way and not being a sheep to the corporate world that tells women it knows what will make them beautiful. They just want your money and for your skin to stay just bad enough that you will continue to pay them time and time again.

I used it for about 4 months then my face would itch like crazy. I stoped useing it for a while. The other day I tried it again now my eyes are so puffy I can hardly see. It did work in the first few months