Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Proactiv Solution 3-Step System Review
Best Feature:
Benzoyl peroxide and glycolic acid combo is very effective
Worst Feature:
Bleaches fabric and more expensive than similar treatments
Best Uses:
Complete treatment system for mild/moderate acne
Pricing:
$19.95 (2-month supply)
Overview
The Proactiv 3-Step System is an acne treatment that was formulated by dermatologists Katie Rodan and Kathy Fields. The 3-Step System includes a cleanser, toner and repairing lotion, and each product is designed for use in conjunction with the others to achieve the best results. Proactiv combines a mild solution of prescription-grade acne medicine (2.5% benzoyl peroxide) with leading skincare ingredients to unclog pores, kill the bacteria causing acne, soothe inflammation and condition your skin. This unique combination of benzoyl peroxide and glycolic acid "proactively" control the acne cycle to stop breakouts before they occur.
You can purchase the Proactiv 3- Step System on www.proactiv.com for $19.95.
Product Report Card Grade
We give Proactiv Solution’s 3-Step System a B+ because it is a very effective and popular acne-fighting treatment that has won numerous awards from women’s magazines. That said, we deducted points because Proactiv is more expensive than some drugstore acne medications that can produce similar results. Additionally, it is also a little annoying that the Benzoyl Peroxide bleaches any fabric that it comes in contact with.
Date Reviewed
April 2013
April 2013
April 2013
Pros
effective treatment for moderate acne that is less irritating than other Benzoyl Peroxide treatments because it isn't as potent; 60-day money back guarantee; ability to customize program; travel size containers available
enhances effectiveness of current acne treatment routine and is gentle on skin; convenient size for traveling; 100% natural; good for reducing redness and inflammation
inexpensive; effective treatment of mild acne and blackheads; 3-1 makes nightly routine easier
Cons
more expensive than other acne treatments with Benzoyl Peroxide; Benzoyl Peroxide can bleach hair and dyed fabric (clothing, carpet, sheets/pillows, towels, etc.); skin will be more sensitive to outside irritants/sun
time-consuming; expensive (especially if you end up buying the "Power Pack")
won't fade acne scaring; fragrance and coloring agents may irritate sensitive skin; may be overly drying for some users
Active Ingredient or Technology
Cleanser/Lotion contain 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide and the Toner contains Glycolic Acid.
Device uses phototherapy.
Gel contains 2% Salicylic Acid.
Skin Concern
Mild to moderate acne
Mild to moderate acne
Mild acne and blackheads
Skin Type
Normal, Oily or Combination
Normal, Dry, Oily, Combination, Sensitive
Normal, Oily or Combination
Size
Cleanser and Toner are both 4 fluid ounces and the Lotion is 2 fluid ounces. (Larger sizes available.)
Device is 6.5" tall and the head is 1.25" in diameter. It weighs less than 8 ounces.
2 fluid ounces
Supply
2-month supply
Unlimited
Varies based on usage
How It Works
3-Step System features a cleanser, toner and repairing lotion. The medicated cleanser gently exfoliates skin and boosts the delivery of its acne-fighting benzoyl peroxide (2.5%). The toner has glycolic acid that continues to clean/exfoliate skin. It also has other moisturizing and calming ingredients to improve skin's tone. Finally, the gentle repairing lotion also contains 2.5% benzoyl peroxide to help to kill acne-causing bacteria below the surface of your skin.
Releases wavelengths of blue light that penetrate deep into your skin to kill acne-causing bacteria, P. acnes, and soothe inflammatory acne vulgaris. Basically, within P. acnes bacteria, there are small molecules known as porphyrins. When exposed to 420 nm and shorter wavelengths of light, porphyrins generate free radicals that attack and kill P. acnes bacteria.
Powerful MicroClear™ technology helps the key acne medicine, salicylic acid, unclog congested pores and penetrate deep under the surface of your skin to fight acne at its source. At the same time, the unique formula contains moisturizers to hydrate and soften skin, as well as calming ingredients to reduce redness and irritation.
Side Effects
Increased dryness and irritation are possible side effects.
None
Increased dryness and peeling are possible side effects.
Warranty/Money Back Guarrantee
60-day money back guarantee
5-year warranty and 60-day money back guarantee
N/A
ProductReportCard Editors' In-Depth Review
Pros And Cons
Pros
- Cleanser and lotion contain 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, so it isn't as potent as other treatments but still effective and ideally less irritation
- Effective treatment for moderate acne
- 60 days money back guarantee
- If you want, you can customize your program by choosing the products that you like best. For example, I used all three products at first, then I just used the cleanser and toner, and now I just use the toner.
- Travel size containers available
Cons
- More expensive than other acne treatments with benzoyl peroxide
- Benzoyl Peroxide can bleach hair and dyed fabric (clothing, carpet, sheets/pillows, towels, etc.)
- Benzoyl Peroxide can make your skin more susceptible to sunburns
- May be too irritating for sensitive skin
Key Features
Skin Type
Oily, Normal or Combination (not appropriate for very sensitive skin)
Skin Concern
Mild to moderate acne and breakouts
How it works
The 3-Step System is as follows:
- "Renewing Cleanser" - The first step in the Proactiv regime is washing your face with an oil-free and soap-free medicated cleanser that is made with an exclusive micro-crystal benzoyl peroxide. The ultra-fine micro-crystals gently exfoliate your skin to remove dirt, oil and dead skins cells that can clog pores and cause breakouts. They also help boost the delivery of prescription-grade benzoyl peroxide deep under the surface of your skin to kill acne-causing bacteria at the source.
- Size: 4.0 or 6.0 fluid ounces
- Active Ingredients: benzoyl peroxide 2.5%
- Inactive Ingredients: water (aqua), magnesium aluminum silicate, glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate, disodium PEG-12 dimethicone sulfosuccinate, sorbitol, dimethyl isosorbide, tridecyl stearate, neopentyl glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, polyethylene, cetyl esters, anthemis nobilis flower extract, sodium hyaluronate, sodium PCA, xanthan gum, tridecyl trimellitate, propylene glycol, imidazolidinyl urea, methylparaben, propylparaben, fragrance (parfum).
- "Revitalizing Toner" - The second step is an alcohol-free toner containing glycolic acid that helps remove excess surface oil (without drying) and exfoliate dead skin cells to leave skin soft and even-toned. It is a unique formula that also uses witch hazel to refine and purify pores, aloe and chamomile to soothe and soften, and allantoin to moisturize and condition.
- Size: 4.0 or 6.0 fluid ounces
- Active Ingredients: glycolic acid
- Inactive Ingredients: water (aqua), hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) extract, anthemis nobilis flower extract, rosa canina fruit extract, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, sodium PCA, panthenol, glycerin, propylene glycol, allantoin, polysorbate 20, hydroxyethylcellulose, sodium hydroxide, benzophenone-4, tetrasodium EDTA, imidazolidinyl urea, methylparaben, propylparaben, fragrance (parfum), blue 1 (CI 42090), yellow 5 (CI 19140).
- "Repairing Lotion" - The repairing lotion is an oil-free, lightweight acne treatment that contains finely milled prescription-grade benzoyl peroxide to heal blemishes and help prevent future breakouts. It is gentle enough to be used over your whole face.
- Size: 2.0 or 4.0 fluid ounces
- Active Ingredient: benzoyl peroxide 2.5%.
- Inactive Ingredients: water (aqua), ethoxydiglycol, cyclotetrasiloxane, propylene glycol, cetearyl alcohol, dimethicone, glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate, cyclopentasiloxane, panthenol, allantoin, xanthan gum, ceteareth-20, carbomer, triethanolamine, diazolidinyl urea, methylparaben, propylparaben, fragrance (parfum).
Directions
Proactiv advises that you go through the three steps twice a day (morning and night), but you can customize your routine based on how your skin reacts. For example, if bothersome dryness or peeling occurs, reduce application use. First, wet your face with warm water and gently massage a dime-sized amount of the Renewing Cleanser over your skin. Rinse it off thoroughly with warm water, and pat your face dry with a soft towel (don't use any dyed fabrics, as the cleanser causes bleaching). Next, you will apply the Revitalizing Toner. Use a cotton pad to wipe the toner across your skin. Allow Toner to dry (don't wash off) and follow with Repairing Treatment. Squeeze a pea-sized amount of lotion onto your fingertips and apply to any affected areas. Allow lotion to dry (do not rinse off).
Reputation
Proactiv has received mixed reviews from customers online and scored 2.6/5 out of 3002 reviews on Makeupalley.com. It has received many awards from magazines such as New Beauty, "Best Overall Acne System" (Winter 2011); Teen Vogue, "Reader's Choice" award for "Best Acne Treatment" (2008, 2009, 2010); Seventeen, "Besties Award" for "Best Acne Treatment" (July 2009); and InStyle, "Best Beauty Buys" for "Best Acne Regimen" (April 2009). While Proactiv is the best selling acne medicine on the market, it is not necessarily the best acne medicine on the market. It has proven to be effective at clearing acne, but the formula isn't all that unique and you can mostly likely find the same results from a less expensive drugstore product like Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control 3-In-1 Hydrating Acne Treatment.
Full disclosure, I used the 3-Step System years ago and it worked initially, but then I found it irritating/drying, so I cut back usage. I eventually moved cities and put a hold on my membership while I found a new apartment. A few months later, Proactiv started sending me more products to my old address and charging my credit card without reauthorization. I called to complain and cancelled my membership. I would just be wary of becoming a "member" with them because it can be a hassle to make sure you aren't getting sent more product than you need/want.
Reviews
Customer Responses, Reviews, or Complaints
Username: 96233c22-bcfb-11ee-9981-000d3a96b61e
Location: 96233c2d-bcfb-11ee-9981-000d3a96b61e, OR
Age: 43
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Proactiv review
Review submitted: 2014-02-12
I started using proactiv when I have used everything else and nothing else worked for my acne. I really like proactive and I am a true believer in the product. I use the 1-2-3 products. I use #1, the face scrub, in the shower in the morning. I follow that up with the #2, which is the toner, after I get out of the shower. Once that dries, I spot treat using the #3. I believe that this products works extremely well and makes your skin look much better. The only complaint that I have is that it bleaches clothing the sheets. I have ruined a couple sheets/pillow cases because I wore it to bed and didn't realize that it bleaches fabrics.
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Username: 9389cb2e-bcfb-11ee-9981-000d3a96b61e
Location: 9389cb39-bcfb-11ee-9981-000d3a96b61e, FL
Age: 59
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Proactive works!
Review submitted: 2014-01-08
I have been using the Proactive system for so many years I don't know how long it has really been. Never had acne until my son was born 11 years ago. I use the entire system daily. The renewing cleanser is gentle. The revitalizing toner is great on pores. The repair treatment is a daily must and when things get really bad I add in the advanced blemish treatment. This keeps all acne under control. Every great while I have a bad flair up and this calms is right down. This usually happens because I forgot to use for a few days and got lazy. But this is even great for my 11 year old son who hates to wash his face in the morning before school and when he comes home in the afternoon, the nose area has started to sprout some little white heads. One dose of everything and he is gorgeous again the next morning! The best value is to purchase these in a set. I just wish the manufacturer would create sets where all the products are the same size. Right now the treatment is only half the size of the cleanser and toner.
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Username: 8e0ad096-bcfb-11ee-9981-000d3a96b61e
Location: 8e0ad0a1-bcfb-11ee-9981-000d3a96b61e, UT
Age: 37
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Proactiv is the best acne treatment solution
Review submitted: 2013-06-26
One day four years ago I started realizing that acne was developing in my face.
So I decided that this can't continue and immediately started looking for acne solutions
that can help treat acne problems.
While I was grocery shopping, I went by the the beauty and skincare section and found a lot of different brands. So I bought a few of the acne products and tried them for a while. Acne improvement results = Nothing, no changes I still had acne in my face.
One weekend night, I was watching my favorite TV shows and saw a TV commercial ad about Proactiv with one of the celebrities that uses Proactiv and seeing the before and after results I grabbed the phone and immediately placed my first order. When I received the package it was exactly what I expected and
had seen on TV. After a month that I used Proactiv I noticed a huge improvement in my face, Ya! The acne is vanishing and my face is looking more clean and also my face feels new and refreshed!
If I had to choose Proactiv and a different acne solution, I would definitely choose Proactiv.
Since then, I follow my everyday acne treatment routine. First, I start with washing my face with a soap free exfoliating cleanser once a day massaging gently for one minute and rinsing with warm water to remove excess oil,
and dirt. I recommend to not over wash your face because it can produce more oil and dries out your skin.
I apply the Revitalizing Toner with a cotton ball and also use this almost each night {five to six times a week} and allow it to dry.
Then I use the Repairing Treatment to entire face or blemish areas twice a day.
And finally I apply the Refining mask and rinse with warm water {two to three times a week}
Also when I am outdoors, planting flowers in the garden or going out for a walk, I use SPF 15 sunscreen everyday to help protect my face from the sun.
Exercising is very important and also choosing fresh foods and drinking more water.
Proactiv is so great, that I have recommended to my friends, family, and colleagues.
Thank you so much Proactiv, for making a high quality product and for caring for your customers.
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