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10/2/2007 - Barbara writes:
First, I have to say that some of the criticisms of this product just aren't accurate. I'm not going to address any specifics about them, the authors of those criticisms know where they have been untruthful. Having said that, a lot of the posts are right: Proactiv (there is no E on the end of the name of this product) is not for everyone. Some folks said "Accutane is the best!"; good for you. I'm clinically depressed so Accutane is contraindicated. Accutane is not for ME. But Proactiv works just fine for me. Yes, it's a little pricey (so is Accutane), but for some of us, it works just fine. The criticisms are saying "It's a scam, ban the product" because it didn't work for them or they (the author of the critical post) didn't read the fine print. Yes, they ship every two months or any other interval you designate (I'm at 19 weeks right now). Seems like the folks complaining about the auto ship have tossed personal responsibility out the window (no one told me about auto ship! waaah). Yes, it probably will draw the color out of your towels (ALL products that contain benzoyl peroxide will do that, whether made by Proactiv or Stridex). It would probably behoove the company to produce some samples for people to try so that the consumer doesn't feel like they are shelling out a lot of money for a product that doesn't work for them. But, all in all, I am a satisfied Proactiv customer.

9/26/2007 - Sarah writes:
I used this product years ago when I had an acne problem. It was the only thing that cleared up my face. I can understand where the complaints are coming from, but every body is different. So, every body is going to react differently to the ingredients in creams....and anything!

9/17/2007 - Kerrie writes:
I have somewhat sensitive skin, so I was leery about trying the product. I found that if I take it easy, not using all 3 products in one sitting (wash/toner/moisturizer), it's much gentler and I still get the same benefits. Use the face wash and toner, but then use your regular face lotion, something a bit more soothing.
You'll see! ; )

8/30/2007 - Anonymous writes:
I have worked for Proactiv for 3 years now. I am [] person and have seen good and bad from the product and the customers. I have always had a bit of a problem with the infomercial that is put out by us because it simply explains the 3 step system. THIS IS NOT ENOUGH! Allow me to explain. The system has yielded amazimg results for people I have seen and served over my years working for Proactiv and i'll tell you this: The satisfied customers far, FAR outweigh the dissatisfied and the biggest reason I get that it doesn't work is dryness. Always use a moisturizer! I cannot stress that enough. It doesn't have to be the Proactiv brand, they are simply more "acne" moisturizers than your regular store-bought ones. Use your own if you have it. There are no products that react or make Proactiv less effective so if it works for you, use it!! Just make sure it is an Oil Free, facial moisturizer and it will be fine. Some skin is drier than others so guage your own needs. Secondly. I would never advise someone to purchase online or over the phone the first time. It is a hassle that I hear about all the time and the moneyback guaruntee is just as effective at [] as it is ordering (but you don't have to pay shipping costs to send it back) and please...do NOT pay by cash the first time from []. If you do and there is a problem than you must wait for a cheque to get to you. A month or two at least. A debit or credit card will get he money refunded immediately (C.C.'s a day or two at most). another good reason to buy first at [] is so you can learn how to properly use the system. Misuse is another major reason it doesn't work for people. We, as staff, are trained to show you exactly how much to use, and give you little tips to help you along. There is a [] finder on the website if you are unsure where they are located. Most major cities have them, in the U.S., Canada and AU/NZ. If you can't get to one, and you must order it, then I would advise to call your nearest [] when it arrives and ask for a quick breakdown. It takes less than 5 minutes to explain but can make the difference between working and not working for you. I hope that I have been informative about the product and do hope it works for you. Please keep in mind that no product out there is 100% and you may be one of the few it doesn't work for. That is what the guaruntee is made for. When I see 200-300 people at my [] in a week and I get fewer than 2-3 returns that same week, I know it works for most people and the odds are with you that it will work for you too. Thanks for your time!

8/27/2007 - Ellis writes:
I first used proactiv when i was about 13, and it worked. But them my mother coudnt afford it anymore so i stopped using it and my acne got worse. a couple of years later, with a job i decided to buy it and use it again expecting my face to clear up. Only to dissapoint me my face didnt change much, and it became more red. I thought that it may have been a stage so i continued to use it for a few months and then finally i gave up. I found that proactiv does work on certain people depending on the age (puberty is hard to fight through) and certain conditions. OVERALL YOU SHOULD TRY PROACTIV AND IF IT DOESNT WORK THEN GO TO YOUR DOCTOR AND TRY AN OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATION.

8/19/2007 - Donna writes:
I got Proactiv for my 17 year old son. It worked really well. He got to the red-faced stage (you need to get through that) and stopped using it regularly. Plus, being a teen boy, his hygeinic practices aren't that good, so the monthly shipments were too much. I called and had them go to every three months. I have had no problem with them whatsoever. When the product is used as directed (something my teen STILL won't do) it works very well. He only half-heartedly uses it now- and I can tell the difference immensely even when he just uses it 2 days in a row.

8/6/2007 - Nicole writes:
i been using proactive for a couple of year now and i find it's the only product that clears my skin...and i've been on everthing!! i noticed a lot of ppl r having the same complaint about the product drying out there skin and causing a rash..it did that to meas well - until i came up w/ my own method on how to use the product. i know it says to use 2 a day, but i can't b/c it will dry my skin out so what i do instead is: 1. Mourning - in the morning when i wash my face i use a cleanser called cetaphill (u can buy this in any drugstore) it's a very very mild facial cleanser. after i wash my face i use the proactive toner that's it! 2. Night - at night before i go to bed i will wash my face again, but this time i use the proactive cleanser..since your face is more dirty/oily at night rather then when you wake up in the morning. after i wash my face i do not use the proactive tone i skip it and just use the proactive lotion that's it! 3. i only use the proactive lotion every other night and only use it were it tend to break out. this works for me!!! it keeps my skin clear w/ out the dryness or redness...do this and your sking will not dry out..i promise!!

8/2/2007 - Diane writes:
I began using proactive for about three years now. My skin really looks good. I do however believe that this stuff is expensive but the good part is that you are in control of your next shipment everytime you place your next order for more of the product.

7/21/2007 - Tiff writes:
i purchase proactive [] to give it a try. it actually made my acne go away and made my skin clear.. but it didnt help my brother at all. i think proactive only works on some people not all.

7/14/2007 - Adrienne writes:
I was actually surprised to see Proactiv on this site's rather long list of scams. I ordered it 6 mos after I got married, after my baby brother (18) told me he loved how it helped his skin. I ordered just the basics, which at that time came with the cleanser, toner, and the regular repairing lotion. The cleanser and toner felt awesome on my sensitive acne-prone skin, but the first time I used the lotion I wanted to scratch my skin off. Hold on now, I am going to defend the product, just gimme a sec to explain. A dermatologist friend told me I should stop using it immediately and hold a clean cold washcloth to my face to remove it, not to scrub at it. I did and it stopped burning. I called Proactiv immediately and they recommended the oil free 15SPF moisturizer instead, and sent it to me FREE. I LOVE that lotion!! Sometimes that's the only part of the system I use before applying my makeup. It makes such a POSITIVE difference in my makeup coverage too, an added bonus I never thought to connect with Proactiv. Also, I used to have acne that STAYED on my face after the head popped. I'm talking like MONTHS of red blemmishes that are no longer zits. Awful!! I was told the system would help that, and it really has. I absolutely love how soft and clear it makes my skin... my hubby loves it. Oh, and btw, for some reason I can now use the repairing lotion (if I need to) without the burning issue. Maybe my skin needed to get used to the rest of the system (which never bothered me) first? I dunno. As for the issue other people have reported with charging your card every month, well yeah, they tell you up front they will do that. All I did was call and tell them to stop refilling my order until a certain month and they didn't argue. Anytime I forget to call and say that and they do send it to me and charge me, I simply call them and return to sender and the money gets refunded within 2-3 weeks. I haven't had a problem with them that way at all. My advice would be to call them and tell them to "hold" your order for like a few months or whenever you think you'll need it next. I don't think I'll ever stop using Proactiv, unless by some miracle my hormones drastically change after having my first kids in the future- I'm a lifer.

7/2/2007 - Karen writes:
I purchased Proactiv for my daughter. It cleared her face up within a couple of weeks. It even cleared up her Roseacea(sp?) problem. We canceled because ordering the products individually was too expensive. We didn't have any problems with the cancellation. Her acne problem returned as did her Roseacea, so she tried Velocity by MaryKay and AcneFree, even AcneFree severe formula. None of these worked for her. She is now going back to Proactiv. They have changed the way you order. You can select from eight different kits. This will make it much more convenient for us. I'm sorry for all those that it didn't work for, but I'm happy for this product for my daughter.

7/1/2007 - Danielle writes:
I love Proactiv. Most people say that it gives you a rash ... and yes, it does dry your skin, but so will any kinf of perscription strength acne medication until your skin gets used to it. My skin cleared up within a month and I have been breakout free for over a year now. It is an amazing product.

6/9/2007 - Kelly writes:
I used to use this product years ago and had no idea so many people had trouble with canceling their membership. I canceled my membership because I didn't need the product anymore. It dried out my face too much. I was never charged after I canceled the membership. Just thought someone should know. Thanks.

5/31/2007 - Michelle writes:
I don't really have bad acne, but I have been using Proactiv for many months and it is working. It dries out my face just a little, but to me, it is worth it because the acne does get better. And one thing that Proactiv does that no other cleanser that I have used does, is minimizes the scars from previous scarring. I think it does work for many people, however it may not work for others. For me though, since it dries out my face when I use it twice daily, I just use another moisturizer every few days to help with the driness. I am happy I tried it, and I would recommend it to others.

5/21/2007 - Candace writes:
I've recommended ProActiv Solution to several people, and most have been extremely grateful that they heard about it because it worked for them. Initially I ordered it for my then-teenage daughter when she went away to college --- the family was shocked when she came home at Christmas, not only was her skin clear but it was smooth and glowing. Since my sister and I also had acne flare-ups (we were in our 40's at the time) we both tried it and we were ecstatic with the improvement we both experienced. However, two of the people I've told over the years about ProActiv found that it made no noticeable difference for them---they tried something else that worked better. Since it worked so well for us, those in my family who used it were in the "club," and didn't have any billing or shipping problems. Just felt I had to defend a product that really does work for a lot of people. P.S. There is a program available in [], [], etc., that is half the price and advertises that it has the same ingredients---and they seem to be telling the truth! I've tried that, too, and it works just as well.

5/17/2007 - Maggie writes:
I am a customer service rep for Proactiv solution and I hear plenty of stories, both good and bad, every day. Some people will have better results than others. The big thing is... read your mail people. When you recieve your very first kit it states very clearly that you will be recieving another kit in however many weeks and that this much will be billed to your credit card. The first shipment comes with a Welcome to the Club letter that gives all terms and conditions. People complain and complain about all of these companies scamming them when alot of the time is is just ignorance and people not looking at everything that they are sent. Read the fine print or else yeah, you will get screwed. And the nicer you are to cust service reps, the nicer they will be to you. Call in politely and tell us whats wrong, everything will be taken care of and you will probably get free stuff also. Call in yelling and we will be less cooperative.. ie only doing exactly what you ask, not going above and beyond to help you and so forth. And drop an F bomb or two and thats a good way to get hung up on... and we notate accounts so if you are a jerk to a rep, not only will that one not like you, all future reps will know that you are a huge pain... although we do get a laugh out of crappy irate customers. Talk to your reps, learn your options because there will always be options, and don't make it any harder to live with our jobs than it already is.

5/5/2007 - Catherine writes:
I had watched the info ads for pro active...i was living with a guy who had bad acne on his back. I told him about it!! One day the commerical came on, he said, is that what you were telling me about? I said yes, well he ordered it right then and there. I was the one appling it to his back, less then a month later i was very happy with the results. I think he liked the pampering to..haha. Well we ended up going our seperate ways. He stll had a few things of mine and a new live in girlfriend. I went over there to get my few things. We were sitting on back porch, he got up to get a drink and omg the acne was back. I said...is she so lazy you cant get her to put the proactive on your back...i just got a look. He is a mechanic and does NOT shower every day, so the acne gets bad on his back. Dont want make him to look bad...but maybe if he showered every day..he would NOT of had the acne or had to buy the proactive. But......proactive DOES WORK. You have to follow directions and not just do it when you want to or remember to do it. It does work if used properly.

5/4/2007 - Sabrina writes:
My sister told me about this product. She has bad acne but I only have minor acne. I use it only on my problem chin and nose. I used to get it through the mail, you can space out the automatic shipment and I was able to request one cleanser and two toners. Now I get it at the mall kiosk, I just find it more convenient. It does bleach things you learn to be careful. It will dry me out if I use it all over my face. My sister and I love it.

5/1/2007 - Jess writes:
I tried Proactiv for about three weeks. It cleared up my acne-prone skin somewhat during that time (as much as anything will clear skin during a 3-week period, but better than what I had been previously using), but it wasn't enough to warrant constant charges to my credit card. Canceling was not an issue; I gave 'em the old "changes of life" excuse. In short, Proactiv works, but I've found better results from a rather old, dermatologist-recommended gentle skincare plan. I suspect many complaints have to do with an allergy to either salicylic acid (aspirin, in layman's terms, an effective germ-killer and exfoliant) or benzoyl peroxide (the stuff that bleaches clothing; also found in most drugstore acne creams).

4/30/2007 - Cheri writes:
I can't believe that I am reading anything negative about this product. It is a godsend. I have been using it for years and I have never had any problems with it bleaching my towels or my clothing nor have I had issues with their shipping or misusing my credit card. I had used it faithfully for a long time and I was blown away that I no longer had any signs of acne. When I recently became unemployed,I was less faithful in using it because I wasn't washing my face as often (because I wasn't using makeup)and I paid for it. Acne came back with a vengence. I plan on using ProActiv for a lifetime because it is everything they promised. It is worth every penny. I sometimes wonder if people have trouble with it because they are taking shortcuts using it. You have to use it EXACTLY as it is demonstrated on t.v.

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