I did not get acne until about two years ago, I had a great complexion until then. I tried everything to clear it up, the rip offs, Salycilic acid stuff, cleansers, all sort of stuff and nothing really helped when the break outs would get really bad. And they kept getting worse, and more frequent, even on my cheeks. I started getting huge scars. So I tried Proactive.
At first my face cleared up completely, but I am mildly allergic to benzoyl peroxide. It breaks my face out in a itchy red rash type deal, ( not bad just very flushed looking) if I use it too often on certain areas of my face, not so much on my fore head though. Which is great cause that is one of the worse areas with acne. The micro beads in the cleanser started to over stimulate my oil glands making the few piples I did get hard and they hurt, taking FOREVER to heal.
The system works, but I had to cater it to my needs by using the lotion only once a day (mainly on the forehead) , washing my face with dove first and using a moisturizer that does not clog pores and is oil free. That way I did not have to use the cleanser to scrub my face clean.
Proactive really works for people who have bad to severe acne, not necessarily the occasional break out. My brother had used it when it was still fairly unknown back in ’99...I think...and he hated it. But they have changed their formula to best treat acne, and it has made a big difference. I think people need to use it and try to cater it to their own needs. The main thing is to read the information pamphlet that explains acne and its causes. Don’t stop there look online there are tons of resources online. Remember that scrubbing your face will only over stimulate you oil glands more, and using too many cleansers and/or benzoyl peroxide/salicillic acid and toners may over dry your skin, which can cause a rash type deal on your face.
Proactive also will cater the packaged deal with the products that you use more often or like most, ie two cleanser and a refining mask, no lotion. It is up to you. Combine it with tried and true clensers you already trust, ie dove or Arbonne.