Many months later!

Well have been using Proactiv for quite some time now, months in fact.  The end result is that it works wonders on pimples, but does nothing for blackheads.

At the moment I am using the Proactiv cleanser every morning, followed by the Proactiv toner, followed by the Proactiv Daily Oil Control and lastly followed by a Clarins moisturiser.  At night I use a totally different cleanser (usually SKII) and I use the Proactiv Clarifying Night Cream.  Once, sometimes twice a week, I use the Proactiv repairing lotion.  I can't use it more frequently than that because it burns my skin if I do, I react badly to too much of the Benzoyl Peroxide.  I think I have found the right balance with my current routine though.

One thing I have noticed though, is that I can no longer use a liquid foundation.  The reason for that is that as wonderful as Proactiv is on pimples, it does cause your skin to dry out ... so I am constantly finding skin peeling off my nose.   It's not always noticeable that my skin is peeling ...  that is until I apply a liquid foundation, and then the foundation just highlights it and it looks absolutely dreadful.  It's then both very obvious that my skin is peeling and it's also equally obvious that I am wearing a liquid foundation ... so it becomes a double whammy.  Thus, I have now changed to a bare mineral powder base.  I'm finding that better anyway because it looks more natural, it doesn't show that my skin is peeling, it is easy to reapply and it also helps to counter the fact that I have oily skin.  Liquid makeup seems to just exacerbate the oily look of my skin by mid afternoon.

All that said, I am currently on holidays in Palm Cove.  Because Proactiv makes my skin burn in the sun faster, I chose not to bring any Proactiv products with me.  I am just using some normal cleansers and moisturisers this week.   WELL .... have I had breakout central!  For the past 2 days, my acne has returned.  Now I can't say 100% that it is because I am not using Proactiv.  It may well be, but I can't be certain.  As I am out in the sun every day during this holiday, I am wearing a lot of greasy sunscreen on my face.  It's also very warm up here at the moment and I am perspiring ... so it may be the sunscreen that has brought out my acne, it may be the lack of Proactiv use, or more than likely, it's a combination of both of those things.

Regardless, I cannot wait to return to Sydney and start using Proactiv again just to make my skin go back to what it was pre-holiday.

Day 55 of Proactiv Trial

My skin is looking smooth today, but still a little red!  Am still awaiting delivery of my additional Proactiv products though - would have expected them to have arrived by now.

Day 54 of Proactiv Trial

A long sleepless night last night.  My skin has reacted, my eyes are puffy, my skin is red and my neck is itchy.   I put vaseline on my eyes before I used the product and it seems to have minimised the damage but didn't prevent it altogether.

I really can't pick when and why this happens.  Sometimes I have no reaction at all to the products, while other days it is painful.  It is such a shame because the products have definitely improved my skin from an acne perspective.

Day 53 of Proactiv Trial

Still using the products once or twice a week. Tonight I used the cleanser, toner, repairing lotion and mask ... so here's hoping for a good night tonight and no repercussions in the morning.  Fortunately I have no face to face meetings until Wed, so no dramas if I do react.

Still waiting for my shipment of new products.

Day 51 of Proactiv Trial

Was too busy to post yesterday, but I used the cleanser and face mask last night.  All good today.  I actually forgot to put vaseline around my eye area, but don't seem to have any problems which is great, considering I am running a training course all day tomorrow.

I have some more of the product,  just the cleanser and this time some of their green tea moisturiser, so that should arrive soon.

Day 49 of Proactiv Trial

Skin is still looking ok, although a little pimple popped up today!  I have an interview tomorrow so will be back on the products tomorrow night.

Day 48 of Proactiv Trial

 Nothing new to report today.  I am not using the Proactiv cleanser or reparing lotion again until Thurs night as I have an interview on Thursday afternoon and don't want to risk a sunburnt look!

Day 47 of Proactiv Trial

Well my skin is fine today. 2 days after my benzoyl peroxide blast and it's fine!  No redness, no puffiness.  There seems to be no real rhyme or reason to when my skin reacts.  The vaseline around my eyes is definitely helping, but beyond that, it's hard to work out when or why my skin reacts. There's no real pattern.

Day 46 of Proactiv Trial

Woke up with slightly puffy eyes (but no where near as severe as previous times) and a red neck (but again not as bad as previous times).  It blows me away that those two areas get affected when I don't use the products on those areas.

All in all though, pretty good this time around, particularly given I used the repairing lotion which is a leave on product with 2.5% benzoyl peroxide.

Day 45 of Proactiv Trial

I don't have any appointments or engagements until Thursday, a good 5 days away, so tonight I am going to use the cleanser, toner, repairing lotion, daily oil control and the face mask.  That's one hefty dose of benzoyl peroxide.  Lets see what happens over the next few days.  I will continue my strategy of putting vaseline around my eye area to protect it as I use the products, only this time I will put a good dose of vaseline under my eye on my cheek area as that appears to be sensitive as well.

Day 44 of Proactiv Trial

Well I looked sunburnt for most of the day - though I did spend a little time out in the sun this morning so it may have been exacerbated by that.

Day 43 of Proactiv Trial

I used the proactiv cleanser this morning, used vaseline on my eyes again but alas I am a little red around my eyes.  Maybe I didn't cover it enough.  It's not as bad as it usually is, but then tomorrow will be the real proof of that as the swelling has often occurred overnight and I wake up with puffy eyes.  Well here's hoping things aren't too bad tomorrow.

Day 42 of Proactiv Trial

Looks like my strategy of putting vaseline on my eyes worked - no problems this time!

Another compliment on my skin today as well - it may also be due to my current change of diet, but whatever the reason, it's fantastic.

Day 41 of Proactiv Trial

Mmm ... looks like I missed a couple of days and forgot to post!

Well last night I used the cleanser and the face mask, only this time I put vaseline on my eye area to protect it.  I surmised that the Proactiv cleanser must be running down my face a little or coming into contact with my eye area when I wash it off .... so I decided to try vaseline as a coating before using the product.  Happy to say that I woke up this morning with no irritation.  It might be too early to tell as previous episodes have occurred hours after using it, but so far so good, and it's been 12 or so hours.

Day 38 of Proactiv Trial

My eyes started getting puffy last night and I woke up this morning and my eyes were puffy and it looked liked I was sunburnt on my eyelids and just under my eyes.  I used the Proactiv cleanser yesterday morning - it's weird that it takes so long to have a negative reaction.  I can't seem to get the balance right. One thing is for sure, I won't use any of the Proactiv products so close to the weekend!

Day 37 of Proactiv Trial

Skin feels very smooth.  I like it.  I still haven't seen a vast improvement on blackheads/whiteheads etc but pimples have certainly improved dramatically. 

What I do like is that even when I use my normal cleanser, I can feel how smooth my skin is while I am washing it.  At the moment I am still using the Proactiv cleanser every 3-4 washes and using SKII for the washes in between.  I am using the Proactiv Toner and Daily Oil Control every wash though.  On top of all of that, am using my own Clarins moisturiser.  Every couple of days I am also using the Proactiv refining mask (which is lovely, my favourite!)

Day 36 of Proactiv Trial

Well I went to an appointment yesterday and again I was complimented on my skin!  I was told I looked radiant (and no, I am not pregnant!).  So Proactiv has definitely  had a positive impact on my skin.  Am not quite where I hoped I would be, but it's definitely made a difference.

Keep the compliments coming!

Day 35 of Proactiv Trial

Well my skin definitely feels smoother.  I have had a few pimples this week but I think it is as a result of my menstrual cycle, and they certainly weren't anything of concern to me.  They were minor.  So far am happy with the products, with the exception of the repairing lotion which my skin doesn't agree with.

Day 34 of Proactiv Trial

I used the Proactiv cleanser today.  No major issues which is a good sign.  I think I am getting closer to finding the right balance in terms of frequency of use.

Day 33 of Proactiv Trial

Nothing new to report today, I used standard cleanser products, not Proactiv

Day 32 of Proactiv Trial

Well 2 people asked me if I was sunburnt today!  Alas, no it's the Proactiv products burning my skin.

On the plus side though, one person did say that my skin was looking good - this was unsolicited and I had not mentioned anything about the products to her prior to her saying it.  That's 2 compliments in one week so it's positive.

I didn't use Proactiv today as I was going out and didn't want to risk a bad reaction.

Day 31 of Proactiv Trial

Last night I decided to try the repairing lotion again.  I haven't used it for about 2 weeks now.  BIG MISTAKE!  I woke up and my eyes were all puffed up again - the worst case of it I  have ever seen.  I think I need to stay clear of that product altogether, it really doesn't agree with me.  What I don't understand is how I was able to use all the Proactiv products for 2 weeks without any problems and now all of a sudden my skin reacts.  I also don't understand how it affects my eyes when I don't use the products around my eye area.  I use the products above (ie my forehead) and below (ie my cheeks and nose) but not on the eye area itself. 

They ask you to do a patch test before using the Proactiv products, however given it took 2 weeks for my skin to start reacting badly, the patch test is meaningless.

Day 30 of Proactiv Trial

Well today I was complimented on how my skin looked, so it's obviously had some noticeable impact.  I myself can notice it looks smoother and shinier, but it's even better knowing other people are seeing the difference!

Day 29 of Proactiv Trial

Used the Proactiv cleanser, toner and daily oil control today.  I think my skin is looking good actually, but am starting to feel some tingling around my eyes again already, so will continue with my normal cleanser for the next few washes, and use the Proactiv cleanser again in another 3-4 washes.

I do believe Proactiv has made a positive difference to  my skin, it does look smoother and there are far less pimples.  The jury is still out on whether it helps blackheads and whiteheads though.  I am yet to see a vast improvement in that area.

Day 28 of Proactiv Trial

Didn't use the cleanser today as I was seeing a client and didn't want risk going in with a red face.  I used the Proactiv mask tonight though which felt great.

Day 27 of Proactiv Trial

My skin is peeling where it was red/burnt  just under my eyes and around the mouth.  I didn't use Proactiv today as I want my skin to be normal again before I use it.  I also have a presentation in front of a client tomorrow morning so didn't want to risk using it and turning up with a bright red face.

Day 26 of Proactiv Trial

Didn't use the products today, used SKII, still trying to get the redness around my mouth/chin area to calm down

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.