I have previously heard of Proactiv. And to be honest both good and bad things. I have heard of those that swear by the products, and others who say they are too harsh and completely dry out the skin. And then there is of course all the celebrities we have seen endorse the original Proactiv products over the years, ranging from Jessica Simpson, Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, to mention just a few – although personally, celebrity endorsements really do nothing for me!
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As you may have seen a little while ago, I have been selected to be a part of the beautydirectory Expert Panel, which is such an honour as out of all the amazing Australian blogs, there are only a total of Australian 10 bloggers and vloggers who are a part of this Expert Panel. For those of you who don’t know, beautydirectory is an online resource for the Australian and New Zealand beauty industry, providing beauty editors, including beauty bloggers and vloggers with essential industry news and new product information. And this Proactive+ review is an beautydirectory Expert Panel review!
The new range, Proactiv+ has been developed as customers and patients increasingly began to tell the creators of Proactiv, Doctors Rodan and Fields that they were feeling pulled between managing their acne and taking care of other important skin issues, including the look of large pores, visibly uneven texture and tone, dark marks and loss of radiance. Basically, customers felt that managing their acne with topical products came at the expense of addressing their other skin concerns. Consequently, Proactiv+ has been developed to do it all - a healthier looking, more radiant complexion and freedom from worry about breakouts.
“The plus in Proactiv+ symbolises that we’ve taken Proactiv to a new level, now also containing skincare ingredients, including glycolic acid, prebiotics, kojic acid and other nourishing botanicals, to help hydrate and nourish the skin and help with brightening.
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The Proactiv+ Deluxe pack contains:
- Skin Smoothing Exfoliator, 60ml
- Pore Targeting Solution, 30ml
- Complexion Perfecting Hydrator, 29.5ml
- Eye Brightening Serum, 15ml
- Mark Fading Pads, 5 pads
- + bonus Skin Purifying Mask, 28g
The products contain a Smart Target Technology designed to guide the blemish-fighting ingredient off the skin's surface -- to help minimise dryness and irritation -- and deliver it with laser-like precision directly into pores, the target site for blemishes – and consequently as they are not on the surface on the skin, it doesn’t cause dryness and irritation. The micronised benzoyl peroxide is drawn into pores to target the blemish source. With more blemish-fighting ingredients in the pores, blemishes clear faster and breakouts decrease.
In addition, each of the products also contains hydrating ingredients to keep the skin moisturised and soft.
While the Proactiv range ‘only’ worked to clear blemishes and prevent future breakouts, improve visible texture & clarity and control & balance oily skin, the new Proactiv+ range also works to brighten & smooth skin, hydrate & soften skin, reduce visible pore size, soothe redness, enhance overall skin radiance, and diminish look of post-acne dark marks.
How to use:
- Step One: Cleanse – Daily AM and PM – Skin Smoothing Exfoliator
- Step Two: Target – Daily AM & PM – Pore Targeting Solution
- Step Three- Hydrate – Daily AM & PM – Complexion Perfecting Hydrator
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In addition, there are also Clear Blemish Relief, Cleansing Body Bar, as well as Mark Fading Pads, Skin Purifying Mask, and the Eye Brightening Serum, and the last three I was also sent for trial.
Now here’s what I think of the products;
The Skin Smoothing Exfoliator*
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This is a 4-in-1 face wash, deep cleanser, a cleanser that targets impurities, a glycolic acid toner and a mild exfoliator. The creamy cleanser has been formulated with micro-crystal benzoyl peroxide to clear up existing breakouts and help prevent new ones. It also contains tiny exfoliating beads and glycolic acid to gently resurface the skin. It only takes a small amount massaged into damp skin, and the gentle cleanser quickly cleanses my skin deep down every pore, getting rid of any excess oil, dirt and impurities, without irritating of drying out my skin. It has an odd scent, but as it is so efficient, I can certainly put up with it.
Pore Targeting Solution*
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This light gel combines micronized benzoyl peroxide with the pore targeting delivery system that helps direct the gel directly into the pores. The gel needs to be applied to the entire face after cleansing, and once it has fully absorbed, to follow with the Hydrating Cream. I have to be honest and admit that I do not suffer from breakouts all over my face, but mainly on my nose and chin area, so that’s where I have been using the cream. It needs to be used twice daily, and while the packaging does state that it can cause some dryness or peeling, it did not cause any issues to my skin – other than making it feel less greasy. The gel is quite concentrated, and as I’ve been targeting where I’ve used it, I’ve been using less than a pump per application.
Complexion Perfecting Hydrator*
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This hydrating cream has a light gel texture and absorbs immediately into the skin leaving it silky soft without any greasiness, but rather leaves the with a nice matte look. The moisturiser has next to no scent and it contains salicylic acid to help fight breakouts and botanicals to help brighten the skin to look brighten tone and help to reduce the look of post-acne marks to make the skin look more clear and radiant. And because it absorbs into the skin so quickly, it works perfectly under makeup too. As it contains salicylic acid, it is recommended to apply SPF before going outside, and I have to admit that I would have liked it to be included in the cream, at least for day time use, while of course, when using as a night cream, it is perfect that it is free from the SPF!
The Mark Fading Pads*
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These toner pads have been formulated with glycolic acid to help improve the appearance of superficial post-blemish marks and even the appearance of skin tone. The pads are like a small wet wipe that are individually wrapped, and they are to be used after the Skin Smoothing Exfoliator on clean dry skin, and once wiped over the skin, it is not rinsed off. They are designed to be used once a week to enhance the skincare regimen, but can also be used at night 5 days in a row to help quick start to help clear spots. The wipe has strong alcoholic and chemical scent, and does feel a little drying on the skin, so I don’t think I could use it for 5 days in a row, as I could imagine it would make my skin irritated and dry. But used weekly it does make the skin feel extra clean and rid it from extra oil and sebum that can potentially cause breakouts.
The Skin Purifying Mask*
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This mask contains deep-cleansing sulphur to draw out impurities from the pores to help clear blemishes and help prevent new breakouts, while kaolin clay draws out excess oil. It can be used 2-3 times a week for about 10minutes, and afterwards my skin is left feeling and looking fresh, clear and glowing. And while I do get breakouts, I find that using it just once a week is more than sufficient for my skin. The mask can also be used as a spot treatment overnight to help clear blemishes, which I have to admit that I do like too.
The Eye Brightening Serum*
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This eye serum rejuvenates the thin delicate skin around the eye area. The cream contains antioxidants, peptides and a moisturising complex, along with brightening vitamin C and liquorice extract to help minimise the appearance of dark circles, reduce puffiness and smooth the look of fine lines. The cream can be used both morning and night, and is very concentrated, so it only takes the smallest amount. The serum absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth, and ready for makeup.
Overall, I have really enjoyed trialling these products, and confirming that the products are definitely not harsh on the skin, as they did not irritate my skin at all. I don’t think I’ve had any less breakouts as a result of using the products, but I did have some breakouts throughout the trial period, and found that the products did help clear them faster, and generally I have found that my skin seems less greasy, and consequently that my makeup looks nicer and stays put for longer too.
As for dark marks, I am not sure that they have helped minimise the size of existing ones, but it is great knowing that the products are working towards it. The same goes for dark circles around my eyes, they are caused by being woken by a teething toddler every night, and sadly I don’t think any eye cream would be able to rectify what this does to you in the long term!
While I enjoyed using all the products, for me the standouts were the Skin Smoothing Exfoliator, The Mark Fading Pads and the Skin Purifying Mask, and I can see myself purchasing these again in the future.
This Proactive+ Deluxe Pack has an RRP of $54.95 and is available from Proactiv
*Product was kindly provided for consideration, and has reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.
Ever tried Proactiv? Troubled with breakouts? What’s your go-to products?