Day 25 of Proactiv Trial

My skin is burnt, again!  It is red below my eyes (not directly underneath but about 1cm down from they eyes) and around the sides of my mouth.  Everywhere else seems ok.

I definitely think Proactiv is doing something positive for my skin in terms of reducing acne, but I need to find the right balance/frequency with which to use it so it doesn't adversely impact my skin.  I will go off the Benzoyl Peroxide products again for a while to let it settle.

Day 24 of Proactiv Trial

A few pimples popped up today!  I think it is because I have essentially stopped using the repairing lotion which has the strong hit of Benzoyl Peroxide in it.  I am going to try and introduce it back, perhaps once a week, not all over the face but around my chin area to begin with.

Day 23 of Proactiv Trial

Well still using the cleanser every morning or at least every 2nd day.  Haven't used the repairing lotion for a while - am not game to yet.  My eyes are still puffy.  It's annoying me.

One thing I didn't realise is that the products discolour your towels.  I have white patches all over one of my green bath towels.  I didn't know what was causing it and assumed it was something in my washing powder but I have since re-read some of the information that came with the Proactiv products and discovered a sentence about the products discolouring towels!  I wish I had noticed that sentence initially because my towel is now ruined.  I guess you really need to let your face dry of its own accord and not pat dry with a towel.

Day 22 of Proactiv Trial

Can't seem to get the swelling above my eyes to go down. It's not too bad, but it's noticeable and it makes me tired.

Day 21 of Proactiv Trial

I think my skin is starting to look cleaner and tighter (it certainly feels tighter) as a result of the products.

Day 20 or Proactiv Trial

Nothing new to report today, except that I did get a few pimples, so perhaps I spoke too soon!

Day 19 of Proactiv Trial

I'm finding each time I use the products now, I start to get itchy skin and puffy eyes.  I don't use the products anywhere near my eyes, so not quite sure why that is happening but it's annoying and it makes me tired.

I am now using the products every second day for the time being just to see how my skin can handle it.  I've definitely noticed a difference using the products in terms of acne.  I haven't had any red pimples for a while so want to keep using it for that reason, even if only every 2 days to keep the pimples at bay.

I haven't noticed yet an effect on my blackheads or whiteheads though - so time will tell on that.

Day 18 of Proactiv Trial

This morning I used my own cleanser and moisturiser but used the Proactiv toner and Daily Oil control.  No problems with my skin on those, so I think it is safe to use those.

I think the problem is in the repairing lotion, which has benzoyl peroxide in it.  I noticed on the package last night that it said to use more than once a day ONLY if it doesn't cause redness or irritation.  So, I am going to continue use of the other Proactiv products and try and minimise use of the repairing lotion, perhaps just once every second day.

The cleanser also contains benzoyl peroxide but as it is washed off and not left on the skin like the repairing lotion is, I am suspecting I won't have too much of an issue with that product.

Anyway I will do some trial and error with the products until I find the right balance for me.

Day 17 of Proactiv Trial

Well I decided to take the risk and start to use the products again.  I used the cleanser, toner, repairing lotion and daily oil control this morning.  So far so good.  No inflamation, redness or itchiness.  However I will probably just look at using it once a day for a while, in the mornings, and then continue to use my normal cleanser and moisturiser in the evenings.

Day 16 of Proactiv Trial

The skin on my neck is starting to peel.  My eyes are 95% better, I expect them to be back to normal tomorrow.  I still haven't used Proactiv since my skin reacted to it.

Day 15 of Proactiv Trial

My eyes are still puffy, my face looks a little swollen and the skin on my neck is still red and stings a little, though not as must as yesterday.  Not willing to use Proactiv again for a while.

Day 14 of Proactiv Trial

Well I had a very uncomfortable nights sleep.  The skin on my neck is stinging, red all over and burnt.  I had to go to sleep with an ice pack on my neck to try and relieve the itchiness and pain.  The skin on my face isn't quite as red as yesterday but my eyes are all puffed up.  I haven't used any of the products on my eye area though, so it's bizarre.

I wasn't game enough to use the Proactiv products again today, so have discontinued use for the time being and am using my old skin care products.

I noticed on the cleanser pack this morning that it states if you have redness, irritation or swelling to use it less frequently or discontinue use, so it's obviously a common problem or a known problem with the products.

Day 13 of Proactiv Trial

My face has reacted to the products.  My whole face is extremely itchy, red and it looks like I am sunburnt.  It's been raining in Sydney for days though so I haven't been out in the sun for about a week!  It's really uncomfortable.  My neck is red all over as well.  I had to resort to using my old skin products (SKII and Clarins) today in the hope that my skin settles down.

Day 12 of Proactiv Trial

My skin on my face and neck has been very itchy all day.  Not sure why or what's causing it but it's only the areas where I am using Proactiv that have been itchy.  My skin is not itchy anywhere else,  so I can only assume it has something to do with the Proactiv products.

Will be using the mask again tonight.

Day 11 of Proactiv Trial

Well I had an event to attend last night and wore foundation on my skin.  My makeup seemed a lot easier to put on, it seemed to glide on a lot easier and there were less inconsistencies.  I think it's a result of the Proactiv making my skin a little less bumpy!

Day 10 of Proactiv Trial

Skin feels as though it is drier/less oily but as a result feels rougher than it used to.

Day 9 of Proactiv Trial

I've worked out what the Daily Oil Control smell reminds me of - it's a subtle smell similar to Autan insect repellent!

Looking forward to using the mask again tonight.

Day 8 of Proactiv Trial

Am definitely getting used to the cleanser - in fact I now look forward to using it in the mornings and the evenings.  Feels like it's scrubbing away all the oil on my skin.

Day 7 of Proactiv Trial

Well it seems that my skin getting worse may have been as a result of my menstrual cycle.   The brochure also says that it takes 4-6 weeks to see an improvement, so I will need to be patient.  I intend to continue for at least that period to see what happens.

Day 6 of Proactiv Trial

Well my skin has definitely become worse with more visible spots - although I have read that sometimes your skin gets worse before it gets better, so am hoping that's all it is.

I used the mask again tonight, I really like that product, it feels really nice.

Day 5 of Proactiv Trial

Nothing new to report today, skin is the same as yesterday.

Day 4 of Proactiv Trial

Well I woke up this morning and thought 'what is that smell?'  I thought it was my sheets or something, but when I got up and found the smell was lingering wherever I walked, I realised it was the Proactiv products on my face.  Now this is coming from someone that has a  shocking sense of smell, I usually don't smell anything at all, so if you have a strong sense of smell, I don't think you will like these products at all.  There is something about the smell that isn't pleasant at all.

Day 3 of Proactiv Trial

Well a couple of new spots appeared today, so no improvements yet, but it's still early days.  My skin stung a little bit after the cleanser this morning - but nothing major.

Also tonight I tried the Refining Mask - it was heaven to put on.  The texture of it was beautiful, very refreshing and my skin felt great when I washed it off.

Day 2 of Proactiv Trial

Day 2- so I used the Cleanser, Toner, Repairing Lotion and Daily control this morning.  On the cleanser it says to apply to damp skin.  This morning, I didn't just dampen my skin, I thoroughly wet it!  The cleanser was a lot more bearable as a result, it didn't feel so much like I was rubbing sandpaper on my skin.

By 8pm this evening, my skin was feeling oily and I was actually craving washing it and using the products.

Day 1 - Just received my Proactiv Solution Pack

THE PROBLEM:
Ok, so I am 36 years of age, have had bad acne since the age of about 11, and still have bad acne some 25 years later - it's a long time to have to deal with it.  I sometimes wonder if I will still have it at the age of 50. I'll be the only 50 year old with teenage skin!

Anyway, have seen this product advertised on TV on many occasions and decided to bite the bullet and give it a try.

My main problem is blackheads and whiteheads all over my face.  I don't suffer SO much from red pimples, although I do get them, but they are not the worst part of my acne.  It's been very hot in the last few weeks though and I have noticed that it's been affecting my skin, probably because I have been sweating more - as a result I have been getting some red pimple breakouts on my neck which are bothering me.


WHAT I WAS USING BEFORE PROACTIV:
Cleanser - SKII cleanser
Toner - None (I used to use toner, but costs have prevented me from using it over the past 6 months)
Moisturiser - Clarins Hydra Matte Lotion for combination skin
Night Moisturiser - Olay Pivotal Night Cream


THE PACK
I have just received my pack today, it cost me $122.95 incl postage and included:
- Renewing Cleanser
- Repairing Lotion
- Revitalising Toner
- Daily Oil Control
- Refining Mask
plus a free beach towel and sunglasses (a little ironic given their information booklet says to stay out of the sun! but still it's a nice freebie)

DAY 1 ROUTINE:
1) Cleanser - Was a little surprised at what it felt like.  Have you ever been at the beach and put a layer of sunscreen on, only to realise there's a fine layer of sand all over your skin?  That's what the cleanser felt like.  It was quite harsh and I wasn't quite expecting it.  Certainly very different to the smooth feeling of the SKII cleanser I am used to.

2) Toner - It was nice to use toner again after having not used it for quite some time.

3) Repairing Lotion - this felt quite smooth and was a welcoming change to the cleanser

4) Daily Oil Control - this was quite refreshing to put on, although it smelt a little funny and dried very very quickly on my skin

After using all of the above, my skin feels a little tingly but clean ... will see how it goes in the days that follow.