Proactive

I have used it for the last 6 or 7 years and love it (I'm 39). I never had any luck with products from drug/grocery stores and for whatever reason never went to a dermatologist. Products my primary care would prescribe didn't work well either. I want to mention that if you try it and like it you can space out your shipments for longer periods of time than they advertise. All you have to do is ask. Some people opt to use it once a day rather than twice a day and therfore don't need shipments as often.

My name is J., I am 30 years old and I have adult acne. Or I should say that I did. My Aunt who is in her late 40's told me about Proactive a few years back and it works for me. I have also heard good things about the kit that is at the drug store for 1/2 the cost. I 'm not sure of the company, but it mentions proactive on the box

I love Proactive! Since I started using it about 10 yrs ago- I never have any problems. Now I just use it when I feel a break out coming and it clears it right up within a day. And yes I am in your age bracket! Good luck!
Diane

Hi Jen:

I used Proactive and it really does work. However, for me, after a few months of using it my body built up a tolerance and it stopped working. Also, it causes dryness so I would recommend in the beginning only using it 1x a day.

Ie.

Jen,
I'm with you. I didn't have acne as a child, but as an over 40 mother, I do. I got diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and apparently that's why I have acne. I have never used Proactive so I can't give an opinion there. I use plain old witchhazel and a cosmetic pad before going to bed and it keeps me clear. It is cheap, easy, natural and effective. Good luck in whatever you decide to use.

I have used Proactive in the past and I really loved it. My skin has seemed to calm down now, I'm 41, and use something else now for my semi-normal skin. I had/have cystic acne and it definitely works wonders. I know that the King of Prussia mall has a kiosk for Proactive so you could get it there and also talk to the people personally. I never used the clear toner stuff, too lazy I guess but I did use the face wash and the repairing lotion. I never liked the idea of ordering online and having to buy the 3 step deal, I like the kiosk since you can get just one of each of things. My daughter used it as well and has had luck.

I wish you luck!

Like you, I had great skin as a teenager and since my early 20s (now 35) I have breakouts. I believe OTC skin care products work just as well as Proactive. I actaully found Proactive to dry out my skin. I suggest going to see a dermatologist first just to make sure and to ask their advice what might be best for you. I had success with Differin and Duac gel. Hope it works out for you.

I'm 41 yrs. old and I use it. After my liver donor operations I broke out REALLY bad. I have oily skin as it is but Proactiv has helped me and my daughter out. I have the Deep Cleansing Wash and Refining mask.

Good Luck,
B.

My husband (age 39) had the same thing happen recently (he also had minimal breakouts as a teen) and finally figured out that he is suddenly sensitive to milk. He went to the dermatologist and got some stuff that cleared him up but now he just uses OTC stuff and avoids large amounts of dairy and he's fine.

I used Proactive for a short time and my face cleared up, however, they are not kidding about putting on lots of sunscreen while using this product. I admit I can be a bit lazy and the doctor feels it was this product which sped up the pre cancerous cells near my hair line. Be very careful and make sure you do not ignore any new spots. I still have the skin troubles but atleast I have not developed skin cancer.

Hi Jen!
I have used proactive and it does work! However, it seemed my skin got "immune" to it after a bit and i started to break out again...i was 25 when i used it though...
FYI- i am now 30 and have been using LUSH fresh farmacy cleanser and tea tree water toner for about three years now and hardly break out at all!
go to to lush.com to check these products out :)

Hi My name is K. Wildman

I would like to introduce you to a new company called Rodan and Fields, Yes they are the Dermatologists that created PROACTIV. Their new company has come out with new formulas for many skin types and has just recently been introduced to our area, in fact I am the first consultant in PA. Please check out the Website at

WWW.healthyglow.myrandf.com for more information about the products, and if you would be interested in placing an order or starting your own business with Rodan and Fields please send me a email at ____@____.com We are bound to do well with the foundation and credibility of the products.

Thank you for your time

K. Wildman

I, too, never broke out as a teenager. After I hit my 40's...BOOM! I was told it was hormones. In any event, I have tried Proactive and it really does work. I will tell you that I experienced really bad breakouts for the first 2 weeks of trying it but I think it was just cleaning out the bad stuff that was there. I think it is a good product but you have to get over the first couple of weeks. Good luck!

Jen
I am close to 40 and on and off have had touble with acne and of course the scares. I was going to do the Pocactiv, but did not want to lock myself into routine shippments. I am curently using ACNE FREE. It is very similar to Proactiv, except for slightly less cost and you can buy it in Walmart, Target etc. I have had some luck with it. It did take about a month to clear my skin up. I sill have a small break out hear and there, but nothing like before. I was at a point where I was embarassed of my skin. Good luck

I am going to be 33 this week and use proactive. i have always had acne but it got worse the older and more stressed i got. finally gave in and started proactive. i do see results but not the perfectly clear skin they show on their commercials ofcourse. it took a while for my skin to get used to it's strenght, i have sensitive/dry skin. i use only the toner and repair lotion, the rest was too much. i use the toner with my moisturizer in the am and the repair lotion with moisurizer overnight. it does tend to bleach clothing so becareful. overall, i'm happy with it

What is your current skin care routine? Have you changed it recently? Is your skin oily or just breaking out?

Our hormones do cause changes in skin. The first thing to look at is WHAT are you currently using on it?

A. D

my skin is acting crazy also. I am your age. make sure you do not have adult acne rosacea. it will cause red splotches on your face then you will some time get acne bumps. if it is that bad go the dermotologist. the thing with the proactive is that it work for some and not for others. if you order it then it is an automatic renewal every month. make sure to keep your skin clean.wash two times a day. try clean and clear from johnson and johnson or some other over the counter acne control lotion. drink lots of water. moisturize and clean your skin with something other than something with alpha hydroxy or anything that has a scrub in it. this will irritate acne prone skin.

I have never used proactive but for me any skin cleansing regime has worked. I've used clean and clear in the past and its pretty cheap.

If I were you though I would get to hte root cause. Improve you diet by making sure you are getting enough vitamins and especially water. I get terrible spots on my head when I'm not getting enough sleep.

Also if you're 40 and breaking out, I hate to say it but its probably hormones! Not sure if you are being treated in any way for menopause as I know the use of hormones has been discouraged in recent years. There are herbal menopause medicines so I would contact your doctor about those options or talk to a pharmacist. They can usually be bought over the counter. Some women have had luck using soy products also in their diet but I would talk to a professional about these possiblites.

Symptoms of menopause can start at 35 so even if your cycles are still going strong you could be pre-menopausal.

Hi Jen,
I'm right there with you. Hardly broke out as a teenager, but now YUCK, making up for lost time! My husband is even questioning it. Skin is my expertise, I knew what the problem was, hormones, I just had to find what would work for me. Actually, my education went right out the door, I just wanted it gone! I tried my daughters Proactiv,I was impressed but didn't think! Too high a dose of benzyol peroxide. Sucks the life out of your skin. Balance is key, a lot of times people with oily skin dry their skin out too much with products like this and the skin breaks out because it's too dry, so too dry or too oily and you will break out. My skin has always been dry. This added to the problem. I'm using Murad for "hormonal skin" I can feel the moisturizing effects, and the harmony. I gave it to my daughter who is 22 to try too, she overdries her skin too, to see what she thought. She too was impressed, she said even in the morning after washing her skin at night it was still soft and moist, it didn't feel tight and dry. The return of supple skin. Taking a phytoestrogen (plant based estrogen) will help too. It'll take about 2 weeks to straighten out but everyday there is a noticable difference.

have a wonderful day,
L.