Skin problem

[Toshtishtash 1]

I have all of a sudden developed a skin problem... I used to suffer from mild acne when I was a teenager and I am guessing due to all the stress I have been under just lately it has made a reappearance!

My doctor put me on Oxitetracycline (sp) which doesn't seem to be doing anything... I have seen this Pro-Active stuff being advertised, with the likes of Jessica Simpson saying that it is a miracle cure etc

It's a wee bit expensive though... Has anyone else used this? Does it work?

Any other tips? It's driving me nuts!

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Have you tried Acnaveen (basically, anti-acne version of Aveeno)?

That oft works for a substantially-lower price than Pro-Active.

(warning on celebs pushing an expensive product--the celeb can usually afford it easily)

[Toshtishtash 1]

Hmm, haven't tried that.. Not sure if I can get that here though. Might have to get my OH to send me some!

[rich_kathy 0]

I used proactive for 3 months but didn't work for me.

[maxnma 1]

I've had acne my entire life and have tried just about everything; doctors, antibiotics, cheap cleansers, expensive cleansers, all kinds of skin regimens. I started using ProActive last October and I had comments after just a few days of using it like: What did you do different?, There's something differnent about you., You have a glow., Your skin looks so good. That was even before the acne was gone. I noticed how good my skin felt and how much healthier my skin looked right away with ProActive. It's now several months later and my acne is so much better. It is expensive and I only use it sparingly. It's worked for me so far.

I should be on a commercial or something or get free products or at least a discount for promoting it.

Also wanted to add that you can have a trial size for $20.00 to try and see if you like it. That's what I did so I wasn't out too much $ if it really didn't work.

Edited July 20, 2007 by maxnma

[ya falaha! 0]

I tried Proactive and it burned the hell out of my skin. I have very sensitive skin, though. Come to find out, I'm allergic to benzoyl peroxide. Find out if you're allergic to the ingredients first if you're gonna try it. I didn't go out of my house for 3 days because of what that shet did to my skin.

[~krakatoa~ 27]

I used Proactive to maintain skin clarity, worked for me in the tropical country but not here in the US, worsened the drying of the skin due to the weather change. I shifted to Murad, worked very well for me. There is a trial kit too, like proactive.

[Mononoke28 135]

I started using proactive to have better tone in my skin and smaller pores and it works great. I also have sensitive skin so I use it every other night, that's all. I suggest trying to find a small booth at the mall that sells it and don't get talked into buying the cleanser and the toner, the magic stuff is the actual cream, that's all you need. If you have really bad acne, then get the mask as well. A small bottle that costs $25 lasts me about a year, but again I only use it every other night, no day time treatments. Try it, it's worth a shot.

[maxnma 1]

I tried Proactive and it burned the hell out of my skin. I have very sensitive skin, though. Come to find out, I'm allergic to benzoyl peroxide. Find out if you're allergic to the ingredients first if you're gonna try it. I didn't go out of my house for 3 days because of what that shet did to my skin.

That's a sucky way to find out you're allergic! I also have very sensitive skin too and have to be very careful with what I put on my face. For some reason though ProActive didn't bother my skin. Although I will embarassingly admit I did so something stupid when I first got it. I left the mask on my face overnight to speed up the process ( ) and my skin was bright red in the morning and it felt sunburn for a couple of days. I learned to not do that again.

[Toshtishtash 1]

Thanks all

I think I will buy some and try it... I suppose it can't hurt.. That's good about the trial version too...

[wherezdabearz 0]

I've used ProActive for about 3 years and I've found it to be miraculous for my skin (and I've got at least five friends on to it too). I agree that all you really need is the cream (called Repairing Lotion) as the others are just a scrub which you wash off and a toner (which I've always thought was a waste of time) and you only need a tiny bit at a time.

When I started using it I used it every night and then every other night. Now I just use it once a week unless I feel a zit boiling up. If I use the Repairing Lotion on it, it usually disappears over night. I can't remember the last time a had a full blown zit.

Do try it.

[Nessa 23]

I have the same problem. I think my skin is even worse than when I was a teenager. And when I was a teenager I used to eat a LOT of junkie food. Nowadays I eat a LOT of fruits, vegetables, lean meat, non fat, sugar free, low sodium, and my skin doesn't get better.

You guys are talking about proactive, that's facial. What if you also have acne on your back and chest?

[Toshtishtash 1]

Just bought some off eBay

£22.25 with postage from USA Loads cheaper than it was on the UK Proactive website!

Will let you know how I get on!

[Mononoke28 135]

Good for you, the worst thing about buying it from the ProActive web site is that they hook you with their auto ship program where they charge your credit card every month and send you a new kit every other month. It's a rip off.

Nessa, you can also use ProActive on your body as well.

[Geraghty 0]

If Proactive works for you then you don't have real acne. With real acne you get large infections or lesions under the skin which you cannot pop. If you have real acne then you need an oral antibiotic to clear up the infection under your skin. I've been through this myself.

Dermatologists will tell you that Proactive will not do anything for you. You need an antibiotic. Also, remember that when you're taking an antibiotic birth control pills don't work well and you will burn more easily in the sun. Sometimes, it will take the antibiotic a few weeks to get into your system.

Also, be careful about what you put on your skin. Use Cetaphil (this is a non-pore clogging wash) to wash your fash. Don't put anything harsh on it like over the counter acne medication. It just irritates your skin and doesn't help it in the long run. I know how painful real acne can be.

Tell your doctor that that your medication is not working. He/she can prescibe something different. Tetracyline worked for me for a while but now I'm on something different and stronger. It works a lot more quickly. However, I'ved been warned not to get pregnant while taking it because it may cause birth defects.

Also, there is a medication that "cures" acne but it's given out sparingly because some studies say it can cause depression and if you have a history of depression or even if others in your family have had it then then many doctors won't presibe it. A senator or congressman's son purposefully crashed his plane while on it and they blamed the medication for his depression. You may have to see a specicalist/dermatologist for it. If memory serves me it's called "acutane".

Good luck!