The fight against acne can be a difficult one and finding a product
or method to reduce or eliminate these skin blemishes can be very
time-consuming and expensive. There are so many pharmaceutical companies
that develop and release new products to fight acne that it becomes
overwhelming trying to figure out which product or treatment to use. One
of those products is Proactiv® from Guthy-Renker. This article
discusses various Proactive reviews, the product itself and independent testimonials to help you determine if it is the best acne treatment for you.
Causes of Acne
Our skin is constantly going through a process of shedding dead skin
cells as new skin develops and producing oil to keep the skin
moisturized. Acne develops when excess oil and the dead skin cells plug
the hair follicle pores. This in turn, allows bacteria to grow behind
the plugged follicle pore, which triggers inflammation and swelling. The
result is an acne blemish. Cystic acne is a more severe form
characterized by large red cysts that appear on the face, back or chest.
The Proactive Product
The 3 step skin care regimen begins with their Renewing Cleanser. This
is an oil and soap free medicated exfoliating cleanser that kills
bacteria with prescription-grade benzoyl peroxide.
Step 2 involves using the Revitalizing Toner, which is alcohol-free and
contains glycolic acid to exfoliate dead skin cells. The toner also
soothes and hydrates the skin using a botanical rich formula.
The final step is the Repairing Treatment which is a light, medicated
lotion that kills acne-causing bacteria. It also contains benzoyl
peroxide as the antimicrobial compound.
The Proactive Reviews: Best Acne Treatment?
The Proactive reviews and testimonials available from the manufactures
website include comments from a user who claims after struggling with
acne for 5 years and found no progress with over-the-counter products,
that once she started using Proactive she started seeing a difference
after just 3 days. In fact, there are quite a few Proactive reviews from
users with before and after pictures. Some show quite a dramatic
improvement.
Yet, other sites containing Proactive reviews appear to favor other
products for their ability to fight acne. While scoring in the top 10 of
tested products, Proactive scored 7th for overall effectiveness in one
comparison. Murad Acne Complex and Exposed Skincare both scored higher
in one of the reviews I researched, as did Dermagist and Acnezine in two
other online Proactive reviews.
What might account for these differences? The truth is there are many
factors that can lead to acne outbreaks on the skin, including
fluctuations in hormonal balance, skin type, diet, and the use of
cosmetics. Given this, it should be no surprise that the best acne
treatment for one person may not work for another person. One thing I've
learned from reading various Proactive reviews is that Proactive is
more effective for sensitive skin, and is considered a more gentle
treatment as opposed to an aggressive one. There are several acne
fighting chemicals Proactive does not contain including Salicylic Acid
(for unclogging pores), Sulfur (for drying sebum) and Azelaic Acid (for
normalizing skin).
As you research further into the myriad of acne products available, it
makes good sense to keep track of the active ingredients and their
percentages within the medication. If an acne medication you are trying
is not effective, try something with other or additional (or perhaps
less) active ingredients. Be sure to consult a dermatologist should your
acne become severe.
Proactive reviews