Proactiv Skincare Routine

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Last update and post: January 23, 2012

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October 29, 2011

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So I've heard people say it takes a lot of courage to post pictures of blemishes and anything that seems imperfect. Well, it sure is scary! But I wanted to put this out there because I've been having a bad run of breakouts and I'm not sure why. I don't know if my pets are causing this, or my diet, or my now former skincare routine, but I've gotten a little desperate about it.
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I broke down and went to the Proactiv vending machine (yeah, vending machine, not kiosk) and bought the 30-day starter kit, which includes the 3-step system and 6% sulfur mask.
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I've used Proactiv before (5 years ago) and don't really remember the results. I mean, it totally skipped my mind to get Proactiv again when I had that nasty breakout 2 years ago. So I thought I'd document the progress of this acne control system.
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The thing I'm not clear about is if the vending machine at the mall has the hydroquinone spot corrector. On the Proactiv website, it says the spot corrector is for members and I'm not a member, nor do I want to be. We will have to see how I get my hands on that hydroquinone spot corrector.
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Well, I'll keep updates here with my progress with the Proactiv skincare routine. I hope there will be some progress!
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Oh! One more thing. I really like the texture of the Proactiv benzoyl peroxide (step 3) treatment. It blends so well and absorbs into my skin without leaving any grainy residue behind. Definitely worth it in my book. The cleanser has microgranules for exfoliation as well as 2.5% benzoyl peroxide for chemical exfoliation. I hope this works. I hate having breakouts!
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Updates to come. Thanks for reading!

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October 31, 2011                     Happy Halloween!

I'm not doing anything special for Halloween this year (except giving out candy to cute monsters, pirates, and angry birds) because it's a Monday night and I have a lot of chores to do around the house before Mr. P gets back from his business trip.

But, I wanted to update that it's been 3 days since I started using the Proactiv 3-step system (I haven't opened the 6% sulfur mask yet) and I am seeing a lot of differences so far.

Noticeable differences at the half-week mark:

1.  Inflamed cystic acne have calmed down.  They are not as red, not as inflamed, and my skin is less bumpy.

2.  I only have 2 new pimples since first using Proactiv and they are not cystic.

3.  The skin on my face dried out in as many days as I've used Proactiv.  I don't have to worry about pimples so much, but now I do have to worry about anti-aging a lot more!

4.  The 3-step system stings my face.....so.......much!!!!!  It was ok at first but the more I use it the more it stings.

I will keep using this until my skin clears or I absolutely cannot stand the stinging, whichever comes first.  More updates and hopefully an improved picture to come.

Thanks for reading!

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November 14, 2011

The key to avoiding a very painful and dry fate is to use Proactiv in moderation.  Don't slather the stuff on your face.  Even when you think you're using your normal amounts, less is better.

Update:
1.  No new acne
2.  Less redness
3.  Smaller hyperpigmentation
4.  Skin is still dry where I apply the treatment, but I now use a lot less!  I use about 3 drops of toner on a cotton pad, and a very small pearl sized repairing treatment.

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December 16, 2011

Things were going okay for a while, then it became that time of the month and I fell asleep twice without removing my makeup (I know, so bad!).  So I expected and can justify the 3 new pimples that appeared.  But I don't know if this is working anymore!  Since the 3 pimples, I've been getting about 1 new one every day or every other day!

Well, this is part of the picture I took this morning while getting ready for work, and yes, I do have makeup on (Skinfood Peachsake bb cream, Bare Escentuals Mineral Foundation in Fairly Light, and some blush).  You can see the bumps through the makeup, which is not unexpected.  Only the redness and the true extent of the hyperpigmentation has been covered up to the best of my abilities and allowance of time.

The awful thing is that these are forming like cystic acne (really inflamed, painful, and red), and in one or two days they turn into white heads.  What's worse, no matter what I do, they leave awful scars behind that take a very very long time to heal.  My problem areas are my left cheek and my chin.  For some reason, my right cheek is okay (and let's hope that remains so!).

I've gotten desperate and started re-slathering the Proactiv treatment all over the affected areas, which is resulting in extremely dry skin.  I just don't know what to do.  This is affecting my self image in negative ways.  *weeping, weeping, weeping*

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 January 23, 2012

It's been a while since I last updated my skincare routine because of the acne, but I am just now in the process of changing things up.  How has Proactiv worked for me?  In the beginning, it worked to reduce acne breakouts at the cost of dry skin.  However, after that phase was over, I began getting regular acne breakouts even though I was still using Proactiv.  Towards the end of December and the first half of January, it was pretty obvious that Proactiv was not working for my skin problems, so I have stopped using the system and switched to other products.

Some things I learned through experience:
1.  Acne can be a symptom of bad nutrition
2.  Acne can be a reaction to allergies to certain ingredients
3.  Acne can be hormonal
4.  Acne can flare up due to lack of sleep

However, through it all, I want to encourage all acne sufferers to not give up hope!  If one treatment doesn't work, there are other treatments out there.  Some may be prepackaged, others might be DIY.  Either way, keep a positive attitude and don't give up hope!