Proactiv tore up my face
by Mary S, Hancock
(Orange County, CA. United States of America)
I loved Proactiv at first. It made my skin less blotchy and smooth, and it seemed to keep those surprise zits off my face.
Although I looked like I had just spent a month in the desert from the dryness; with enough lotion on my face – i was willing to overlook that.
I was excited that I found this magical potion to kick my little spontaneous break-outs in the BUTT!! So after a month or so, the scrub started irritating my skin. (since its an exfoliate type wash it kind of started burning).
Long story short, I noticed my older sister had FULL bottles all over her bathroom of the stuff and I begged for her to hand em over. SHE SAID “TAKE IT, THIS STUFF SUCKS” AND she informed me that apparently your only supposed to use an exfoliate type scrub only 2-3 times a week.
Thanks for the advice but NO THANKS, I was totally convinced this was my secret beauty weapon. I was so excited, I took the free bottles from her and was utterly determined to prove her wrong.
Pretty soon, I started noticing that the zits were gone, but some severe acne had started to form under my skin.
I’m a 24year old young professional who was just trying to prevent some random zits… and now I look like I’m just hitting puberty!! How in the world could this start happening to me now?
I started popping those under the skin nasties because my face looked so bumpy underneath.(Imagine painting a fresh coat of paint on a stucco wall, and that is how I felt when I put on my daily make-up) IT ALL GOES DOWN FROM HERE. My skin got even worse! Now I have under the skin zits, I had been picking at my face like they were underground army field mines – which ultimately leads to scabs and scaring; and we cant forget the dry lizard like appeal that is a MAJOR side effect of Proactiv.
Almost convinced I could pass as the crypt keeper, I decided to just switch to Neutrogena. (Which I’m totally convinced is just DIAL in a disguised bottle) Since then my skin hasn’t really progressed much; except my face is less irritated and dry. I look less like the crypt keeper but these under the skin zits are still just hanging out, and making new friends everyday.
It’s like the Proactiv gave permission to all dirt in my pores to make themselves right at home! So now, I’m stuck. Proactiv tore up my face, and I am in desperate need of some major skin rehab! ADVICE FOR THOSE COMMERCIALS: THOSE WOMEN ARE AIRBRUSHED, THEY ARE BEING PAID TO PRETEND LIKE THEY USE THIS PRODUCT – DONT FALL FOR IT!
Go back to Proactiv review
Leave a Comment
Comments on Proactiv tore up my face
Maybe you should go to a dermatologist? I started proactiv due to zits on cheeks and chin but also had a major problem with a mine-field of zits on my forehead that were (as you described) under the skin. Most weren’t red, just bumpy. However, I think the sweat from the warmer weather and then my also having bangs didn’t help it. But what you are doing, popping them before they are at a head, is going to destroy your face. So first, stop popping them from under the skin, it is painful and most likely going to scar. Second, please go see a dermatologist. I think they could do more than you know to help you out. It’s better than continuing to spend money on products that aren’t working.
Ps. Proactiv cleared up my forehead pretty good, but it’s not doing too much for my other areas :/ it’s maybe not the best anyway…
Thanks for a great review!
Sorry to hear that Proactiv made such a mess of your face. Unfortunately that often happens when you fight acne too aggressively with chemicals.
I hope you do know that nothing you apply on your face can ever fix the problems that cause acne. Yes, topicals can kill bacteria but bacteria is not the real problem. Bacteria, too much sebum and inflammation are simply symptoms of a deeper problem in the body.
The only way to fix those problems is with diet and lifestyle. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.
i am in a similar upsetting dilemna
i can completely understand with what you are going through.
in year 10 i suffered from bad skin and used proactiv and it somehow cleared my skin. but after a couple of years i switched to a natural product. all was good for about 7 months until little pimpes started forming under my skin out of no where.
i tried nutrimetics, natural products and have been on another brand called, Exposed for about 3 weeks, with no improvement. I dont know whether to go back to ProActiv because i agree – it is SO strong and also makes my face very dry.
ive never been more upset in my life, going out in the sunlight only shows how horrible i am currently looking and i never feel youthful or beatutiful anymore. it is so hard for people like us with sensitive skin.
im going to start swimming tomorrow and up my water intake to 2.5 Litres in the hope of flushing it out of my system.
good luck to you!
I used the ProActive for about a week, it did great for 3 days but then I got very dried skin and my face got burned and became so reddish! I ll reduce using it to 3-4 times a week……………………………………. :/
Totally agree I used proactive for over a year and now I have worse looking skin than before I used it I wish I could sue them for making me have ugly skin