{"id":8823,"date":"2013-05-07T09:02:54","date_gmt":"2013-05-07T09:02:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/acneeinstein.com\/?page_id=1079"},"modified":"2020-01-03T13:07:58","modified_gmt":"2020-01-03T13:07:58","slug":"proactiv-solution","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/acneeinstein.com\/reviews\/proactiv-solution\/","title":{"rendered":"Proactiv Solution Review \u2013 Just Overpriced Benzoyl Peroxide?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Proactiv Solution acne system thrives more on hype than merit. Despite the marketing claims, the product is just really expensive benzoyl peroxide. While the product does work for some customers, many complain about skin irritation, redness, and acne getting worse. This, combined with billing problems, makes Proactiv a no-go in my books.<\/p>\n

The biggest problem with Proactiv<\/h2>\n

The biggest problem with Proactiv is that it\u2019s based on outdated science<\/em>. Treating acne by lathering layers of benzoyl peroxide on layers of benzoyl peroxide was the state of the science 10 years ago, but today we know better. Science has shown better ways to treat acne.<\/p>\n

While nobody can deny that benzoyl peroxide can get rid of acne (for some people), it comes with significant side-effects (as is evident from the user reviews). BP works by generating \u2018free radicals\u2019. You could think of them as small bombs, because they work by causing controlled destruction. They kill bacteria and help to keep your skin pores open, but, like all bombs, they are not precision weapons. Because these free radicals cause inflammatory damage they deplete the antioxidant levels in your skin. For example, one study<\/a> showed that a single application of BP depleted 93.2% of vitamin E from the skin<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Why is this important? Because inflammatory damage is the trigger that starts the acne formation process, and antioxidants are the best way to both treat and prevent acne<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Proactiv relies too much on BP \u2013 like waaayyy too much<\/strong><\/p>\n

That said, BP is not all bad. There\u2019s a correct way to use it so that it actually helps your skin. I wrote about it here<\/a>. Proactiv Solution is not<\/b> the right way to use benzoyl peroxide. This product has you heaping BP on top of BP 2 to 3 times a day, and that\u2019s likely to be way too much for most people.<\/p>\n

How much BP skin can take varies from person to person. Some people can tolerate Proactiv, but many people can\u2019t. Inflammatory damage from excessive BP causes skin irritation, redness and dryness. It also makes your skin more sensitive to UV rays; that\u2019s why the company recommends you use sunscreen. In fact, redness and skin irritation are among the most common complaints against Proactiv.<\/p>\n

What customers say about Proactiv<\/h2>\n

The product draws mixed reviews from customers. Some say it works while others complain about the side-effects and other problems. Here\u2019s the summary of reviews from the biggest acne treatment review site online:<\/p>\n

\"proactiv-solution-reviews-acne-org\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Proactiv is rated only as 2.7 out of 5 starts. For this site, that\u2019s a very low rating. The product ratings are usually 3 stars and above. And only 38% would recommend this product to others.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how people at Amazon rate Proactiv:<\/p>\n

\"proactiv-solution-reviews-amazon\"<\/a><\/p>\n

It\u2019s clear that many, even most, people don\u2019t like Proactiv.<\/p>\n

Common complaints<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here are some common complaints the reviewers made:<\/p>\n