Proactive Reviews - What Is It?
WARNING: DO NOT BUY Proactive Until You Read This Review!
Is it a Scam? Does It Really Work? Check Ingredients, Side Effects and More!
Proactive is a well-known acne treatment system that has been endorsed by some celebrities. At the time of writing this this review, 6,942 people provided their votes for the product at a well-known acne forum. The overall rating of these thousands of reviews is 2.7/5. Actually, you can find acne solutions that have received a much higher score. The company behind this anti-acne system is also called Proactive, which is one of the world's largest marketers of products for skin prone to acne. The company promises that its products are gentler and faster-acting than ever before. But do they really work? We will discuss the leading Proactive products in detail but at first let's take a look at the history of the acne system. Well, it hit the market in 1995. In 2010 the company introduced a new micro-crystal benzoyl peroxide formula for better results. In 2013 Proactive+ was launched. It combined an acne-fighting formula with anti-aging ingredients. In 2015 Proactive started partnering with Amazon to become an authorized seller of its products on the website. In 2017 ProactiveMD was launched. It was powered by Adapalene, a new acne-fighting ingredient.
All this information can found on the official website of the company; however, it seems to lack the most important information - the description of the products' ingredients and their possible adverse reactions. It is a big disadvantage for people who are allergic to some compounds found in cosmetic products. Proactive boasts to be the first company that revolutionized healthy skincare due to the special preventative strategy. If you have a question about skin issues or the products you can contact the company's customer service by calling them at 1-800-309-4796 or using the form provided on the official website. You can also mail them at: Proactive Customer Service; P.O. Box 2021; Harlan, IA 51593. All of the higher mentioned claims sound very promising but do the company's products really deliver great results for their customers? To answer this important question it is necessary to take a look at the ingredients found in their formulations.
Ingredients of Proactive - Does It Really Work? Is It a Scam?
Each of the products uses the Combination Therapy approach that claims to help you with your skincare needs. The company offers three basic products namely ProactiveMD 3-Piece System, Proactive Solution 3-Step System, Proactive+ 3-Step System. To ensure that the system is really effective in dealing with breakouts, it is important to use high-quality ingredients in the right combination. Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not inform which exact ingredients are used in this or that product, which is a big drawback. To learn this vital information we had to do our own research. We found out that the main ingredient in these anti-acne products is Salicylic acid. It promises to help you get rid of dead skin cells, clearing your pores and giving your skin the desired glow. This is actually a mild beta hydroxyl acid, which tackles breakouts on the skin. It also reduces the redness and swelling, shrinks pimples and pores. Salicylic acid is also effective for seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff, and cradle cap. It possesses renewing properties which help to plump your skin. It works by stimulating formation of new cells. The majority of people using this ingredient do not face side effects but we are not aware of the amount contained Proactive products, which increases the risk of experiencing side effects, including dryness, redness and skin irritation.
Glycolic acid is also known as an alpha-hydroxy acid that is known for its skin brightening and exfoliating properties. It is added to the product to loosen dead skin cells and widen pores to make your skin smoother. It is also able to reduce such skin issues, as wrinkles, actinic keratosis, hyperpigmentation, seborrheic keratosis and hyperkeratosis. This improvement to the skin is due to the acid's interaction with the upper layer of the skin, which diminishes the binding properties of the lipids connecting dead cells. The effect of this ingredient may vary depending on the amount used. Unfortunately, the manufacture of Proactive products does not inform the amounts of this compound in each of the products. It means that there is chance of facing side effects. Sulfur is used to control excess oil, reduce skin redness and irritation linked to breakouts. It is also good for cooling and calming the skin due to its antiseptic properties.
Customer Reviews - Does It Have Any Side Effects?
There is a number of special precautions you should take into consideration before applying any of Proactive anti-acne products. Ensure that you are not allergic to any of the ingredients in your skincare product, especially to salicylic acid. It can be difficult to do on your own, so you are advised to consult your doctor or check the ingredients on the packaging. Ask your doctor about the risk of facing side effects from salicylic acid. Inform your doctor which kind of a diet you stick to and which skincare products you use. Do not use salicylic acid with any abrasive soap cleaners or alcohol-containing skincare products. Even though the manufacturer does not mention any side effects the risk exists always. Glycolic acid, found in many Proactive formulas, is suitable for most skin types but if you experience any allergic skin reactions (like dryness or irritation), consult your doctor immediately. Sulfur can be used for most skin types and is not expected to cause side effects when used correctly. Irritation may occur but it usually passes when your skin becomes accustomed to this ingredient. There are numerous customer reviews about Proactive on third-party websites most of which are negative in nature. People are mainly not satisfied with the effectiveness of the product, high risk of side effects and issues linked to the free trial offer. Let us take a look at some of these testimonials.
"I have faced a number of unpleasant issues with Proactive. First, I didn't understand that I was buying into a subscription. Second, all of my calls to the customer service turned out to be inefficient. I had two very lengthy conversations with the company's reps just to cancel my subscription and return the products. By the way, these people are not native English speakers and speak very deliberately. There is no return address available on the official website. It is necessary to contact a rep. Finally, their products are nothing more than snake oil."
"I participated in a class action lawsuit against proactive. The company not only billed me for the product but they also continued to ship it each month. I never ordered it repetitively and had made numerous calls to stop shipping it to me. I requested a call tag many times and I was finally provided a call tag. I returned all of their shipped products. Proactive said they received the products beyond the acceptable return date. They are liars! Do not deal with this company ever!"
"I bought the Proactive System for my daughter and it irritated her skin a lot. So, I decided to cancel but they billed my credit card on a monthly basis. It was a nightmare. I could not cancel subscription. The customer "service" is nonexistent. I made many calls overseas. The reps' English skills were marginal. They mostly read from a script. Because of the lack of language skills they were unable to help me, so it is a waste of time. This company's practices must be investigated because they purposely ignore requests to cancel."
Where To Buy Proactive?
The company offers a wide variety of products on the official website. They differ in price. For instance, you can buy Clear Skin Kit from $25,60. Three-Step Basic Kit (30 Day Supply) costs $32.00 plus shipping. You can stop or change your orders at any time. Each kit is covered by a 60-day money back guarantee. It means that if you are not happy with your purchase, you can return it to the manufacturer and get a full refund of the price.
My Final Summary
Proactive anti-acne products do not seem to be effective or reliable at all. They contain salicylic acid that can potentially cause burning, stinging, itching, dryness, redness, and flaking skin. Sulfur is able both to kill bacteria and to irritate your skin. There is no information about other ingredients found in Proactive acne products, which means that there is a high risk of experiencing side effects. Based on customer reviews, these products do not effectively remove skin blemishes. Besides, they are extremely expensive. There are numerous complaints about dishonest company's policy, especially when it comes to the auto-shipment service. Taking into account all pros and cons of this anti-acne system, I don't think that Proactive can take proper care of your skin. I cannot recommend it.