Does Proactiv Work?
Proactiv has become one of the most popular acne clearing products on the market. Millions of people have tried Proactiv, and many have considered using the products based on the testimonies of others. Proactiv commercials, infomercials, and advertisements are everywhere. People seem to rave about how Proactiv cleared up their acne and gave them flawless blemish free skin. However, does Proactiv really work? Is it worth the money and the time?
The short answer is yes, Proactiv can help get rid of your existing acne and prevent future breakouts. Based on the studies, clinical trials, and testimonials, Proactiv seems to do the job for preventing and treating acne. However, many don't consider the consequences of using Proactiv. Acne sufferers are often blinded by the promises that a certain product will completely get rid of their acne and give them beautiful clear skin. Very few acne sufferers are concerned with the other factors that may be involved in using a particular treatment to get rid of their acne. Take Accutane, for example. Accutane is a prescription drug that was prescribed to many individuals suffering from acne and it had astounding results in treatment of acne. Recent studies have linked Accutane to various adverse side effects, such as birth defects, hair loss, and nosebleeds to name just a few. In the end, it really comes down to weighing the pros against the cons.
Why you Shouldn't use Proactiv...
While Proactiv may produce results, it has many adverse side effects on the overall health of your skin. Here are the primary side effects of using Proactiv:
One of the main ingredients found in Proactiv Solution is Benzoyl Peroxide, which is a commonly known ingredient in many acne treatment products. Benzoyl Peroxide is NOT something that you want to use on your skin on a regular basis (or ever).
Why do so many products contain Benzoyl Peroxide if it's so bad for you? Many acne product lines, such as Clearasil, Clean & Clear, Neutrogena, and Proactiv utilize Benzoyl Peroxide (BP) because it does work against acne for most people (not all). However, these companies do not care about the adverse side effects that Benzoyl Peroxide has on your skin. All they care about is that when you use their product, it appears to work in the treatment of acne. For the companies marketing these products, it is simply money in their pockets. For you, it may seem like a miracle that your acne has cleared up by using a product by one of these companies that contains BP as their main ingredient. You may feel relieved to have clearer skin. BUT, if you stop using the product, your acne WILL come back. Are you willing to dedicate the rest of your life using a product that contains Benzoyl Peroxide knowing that it is damaging your skin?
Benzoyl Peroxide is a chemical. That in itself should be enough to make you reconsider using it on your skin for an extended period of time. It is also known to cause free radicals in the skin and has been linked to an increase in cancer risk.
Did you know that the FDA has categorized Benzoyl Peroxide as a Category III, which means that their determination of this particular chemical is "Safety is unknown." So, why are companies continuing to use Benzoyl Peroxide in their products? Well, the regulation of cosmetic products differs in that it is not as strict, therefore BP can be used in cosmetic products without being banned.
- Dryness
- Itching
- Peeling
- Stinging
- Allergic Reaction
One of the main ingredients found in Proactiv Solution is Benzoyl Peroxide, which is a commonly known ingredient in many acne treatment products. Benzoyl Peroxide is NOT something that you want to use on your skin on a regular basis (or ever).
Why do so many products contain Benzoyl Peroxide if it's so bad for you? Many acne product lines, such as Clearasil, Clean & Clear, Neutrogena, and Proactiv utilize Benzoyl Peroxide (BP) because it does work against acne for most people (not all). However, these companies do not care about the adverse side effects that Benzoyl Peroxide has on your skin. All they care about is that when you use their product, it appears to work in the treatment of acne. For the companies marketing these products, it is simply money in their pockets. For you, it may seem like a miracle that your acne has cleared up by using a product by one of these companies that contains BP as their main ingredient. You may feel relieved to have clearer skin. BUT, if you stop using the product, your acne WILL come back. Are you willing to dedicate the rest of your life using a product that contains Benzoyl Peroxide knowing that it is damaging your skin?
Benzoyl Peroxide is a chemical. That in itself should be enough to make you reconsider using it on your skin for an extended period of time. It is also known to cause free radicals in the skin and has been linked to an increase in cancer risk.Did you know that the FDA has categorized Benzoyl Peroxide as a Category III, which means that their determination of this particular chemical is "Safety is unknown." So, why are companies continuing to use Benzoyl Peroxide in their products? Well, the regulation of cosmetic products differs in that it is not as strict, therefore BP can be used in cosmetic products without being banned.
How Does Proactiv get rid of acne?
Proactiv, like many other mass marketed acne products, gets rid of acne by utilizing Benzoyl Peroxide's bacteria killing qualities. BP kills acne causing bacteria, which is how it is effective in treating and preventing acne. However, BP also causes redness, drying, and other skin irritations. On a personal note, when I first tried Proactiv it really dried out my skin and left it flaky and red. Would you rather have acne, or red, flaky, dry skin? I didn't like either of these options. While the Proactiv did help clear up my acne, it left my skin feeling unhealthy and dry. I also noticed that it looked very dull and my complexion was just not healthy looking. I had to slather on moisturizers just to keep my skin from being dry and flaky. It really was not the wonder cure for acne that I hoped it would be. After doing some research, I stopped using Proactiv and started researching alternative home remedies for acne because I didn't want to torture my skin anymore with mass marketed acne products. I knew there had to be a natural remedy that worked as much, if not better, than products like Proactiv.
Although I'm only in my early twenties, I do often worry about wrinkles and controlling the aging process. If you're using Proactiv, be prepared for your skin to age at a very rapid rate. You may be too blinded by the fact that it is working to help with your acne to realize that it is causing lasting damage to the overall health of your skin. If you can live with signs of premature aging like wrinkles and lines, then by all means feel free to use products containing BP. For me, I want my skin to be healthy in all aspects, not just acne free.
Although I'm only in my early twenties, I do often worry about wrinkles and controlling the aging process. If you're using Proactiv, be prepared for your skin to age at a very rapid rate. You may be too blinded by the fact that it is working to help with your acne to realize that it is causing lasting damage to the overall health of your skin. If you can live with signs of premature aging like wrinkles and lines, then by all means feel free to use products containing BP. For me, I want my skin to be healthy in all aspects, not just acne free.
Are home remedies a better option?
After quite a bit of research and years of trial and error, I've determined that there are some home remedies that work just as well, if not better, than over the counter acne products that contain chemicals such as BP.
Why do people continually purchase popular acne products rather than going with natural remedies? The answer is simple. Have you ever seen a commercial or an infomercial for a natural remedy for acne (such as honey, coconut oil, jojoba oil, tea tree oil, etc.) The answer to that is no, there has never been a marketing strategy for natural acne remedies. People are strongly influenced by what they see in the media, so when they hear of an acne product that can "cure" their acne, they will go out to the store and buy that product without even considering what harm it may do to their skin. If you saw a commercial that gave information on how to use apple cider vinegar to treat and prevent acne, would you try it? Chances are you probably would. The same goes for all of the mass produced chemical based acne products, like Proactiv. People see or hear about it on television, the radio, or in magazines, and a switch is automatically flipped in their brain telling them to go buy this product because it will "cure" their acne. If everyone turned to natural remedies as a means to treat and prevent their acne, these companies would not profit. You do the math. Do you believe that these companies truly care about your health?
There are many natural remedies for acne. Chances are not all of the remedies will work for everyone, but it's about finding the right natural skincare routine that will work for you. Natural remedies also cost less than store bought acne products, not to mention they are healthier for your skin and your body. Before you spend the money on a product that is chemically based, like Proactiv, at least consider trying a natural remedy for your acne.
Why do people continually purchase popular acne products rather than going with natural remedies? The answer is simple. Have you ever seen a commercial or an infomercial for a natural remedy for acne (such as honey, coconut oil, jojoba oil, tea tree oil, etc.) The answer to that is no, there has never been a marketing strategy for natural acne remedies. People are strongly influenced by what they see in the media, so when they hear of an acne product that can "cure" their acne, they will go out to the store and buy that product without even considering what harm it may do to their skin. If you saw a commercial that gave information on how to use apple cider vinegar to treat and prevent acne, would you try it? Chances are you probably would. The same goes for all of the mass produced chemical based acne products, like Proactiv. People see or hear about it on television, the radio, or in magazines, and a switch is automatically flipped in their brain telling them to go buy this product because it will "cure" their acne. If everyone turned to natural remedies as a means to treat and prevent their acne, these companies would not profit. You do the math. Do you believe that these companies truly care about your health?
There are many natural remedies for acne. Chances are not all of the remedies will work for everyone, but it's about finding the right natural skincare routine that will work for you. Natural remedies also cost less than store bought acne products, not to mention they are healthier for your skin and your body. Before you spend the money on a product that is chemically based, like Proactiv, at least consider trying a natural remedy for your acne.
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