Knockoff vs Name Brand Proactive?

I tried Proactive for quite awhile with no luck. My cousin also gave it a shot and it didn't work either.

First of all, there are different forms of acne. Some acne is caused by bacteria building up in the skin and pores and causing breakouts. Other acne is caused by hormones. I would first suggest a visit to your dermatologist to determine if topical treatments will help you. He/She could also prescribe some great topical creams that work great or go the route of antibiotics.

Proactiv is NOT saliycilic acid based! It is a benzoyl peroxide based treatment.
Murad is a saliycilic acid based treatment.

That being said, I have suffered from extreme hormonal acne for years and years. I have used Proactiv with some success. However, the moisturizer severely dried my skin out so I stopped using that pretty early on.

I have also used Murad's line of acne products which I really like. I actually use both combined to help out with my problem skin. I purchase my Proactiv at the kiosk at the mall and my Murad at Sephora. I too used to use the mail-order and wound up with a bunch of extras I did not need.

For me the greatest success I had was birth control pills. My hormones are so screwed up and the pill helped regulate my levels. I know this is not for everyone. I am pregnant right now so, clearly, I am not on the pill. After this pregnancy though I plan on returning to it as it has been the most consistent treatment for my skin.

Good luck and take my advice and seek out a dermatologists advice before you try testing out all of these products.

Peace.

Walmart generics are usually not safe to use. They are manufactured in China where the standards are different than here in our country. (Ours aren't that great.) Many of their products have been sited for toxins including lead just at spot checks in Customs. I can't imagine how many actually get through.

My kids use a product called Zap-it that I believe compares to ProActive. Like one of the other mother said, one of the products in the set is primarily salacylic acid. It is combined with moisturizers so it has worked well on my 18 and 14 year olds and also my older skin for "spot" uses. Just a side note...generally skin changes when diet changes. Summer diets are usually a little different because our activity changes. You may want to look at the differences there. All acne is systemic and comes from what's in your body.

Hope this helps!

M.

I vote niether. Look at the ingrediants. It's just salycilic acid mixed into some mild cleansers and moisturizers. You can buy a tube of Salacylic acid for $3 at the dollar store! A lot of acne is actually the body overproducing oil because it's dry. So, moisturizing is important. My dermatologist recommended Cetaphyl as the most gentle cleanser and moisturizer. It's also in the $3 range. Be consistant. Wash your makeup off before you work out or do something that's going to make you sweat.

I'm not sure about the Wallmart brand, but I have tried the Duane Reede knock off (and their knock offs are usually excellent) and in this case it was not good. Proactive is worth the money...

I vote no to the knock offs. Pro Active worked for me, of course, it will not work for everyone. Just one thought though....instead of the mall kiosk where items are more expensive and a hassle to return if you don't like them, try QVC.com. You can order different items seperatly and choose later on if you want auto delivery or not and they are really, really good about returns.

my son used proactive.. watch out it is really strong.. and dries skin out.. his skin was ok... after proactive.. it got worse... he switched and used clearasil.. and noxema.. works better.. good luck

For me Proactive was a lifesaver! I have really bad skin and the hint of stress I break out like crazy. I tried everything before, Clearasil, Nutregeana etc. it only made my skin worse.

If you are worried about getting to much with the monthly shipment, there is actually an option to change it that suits your needs. I get mine shipped to me every 4 months. You can also opt for 2 months and 3 months, I do believe.

As with everyone, the product can work or not work. Just depends on your skin. It works wonders for me but my friend it didn't. I recommend it, just try it that first month, see how you like it and then if it doesnt work cancel the membership. If it does work, great, sign up for a shipment that works for you so your not having a ton of extra on hand.

Good luck! :)

I started using Proavtive about 6 years ago and it has SAVED my skin. I was breaking out so bad I didn't even want to leave the house! I didn't even know there was a knock-off - I guess it wouldn't hurt to try it - but the real Proactive is awesome - I highly recommend it! Good luck!

I would actually buy the real thing. I haven't had good experiences with knock offs.

I had really bad acne all my life until I had my first child, now a zit here and there... I wen to a dermatologist from 4th grade until college and still nothing worked that great, they didn't have proactive at the time. I have two teenager in the house, my mother actually bought my daughter (the oldest) Proactive about 2 years ago. It works pretty good, however, not as good as the commercials. Well, my son has hit puberty and well, the hormones have done a number on him. He started using his sister's proactive a year ago and his face was looking pretty good. Well during the summer I couldn't afford and got him an over the counter cleaners, can't remember which, well, I must say Proactive does a great job. I really would recommend it, wish they had it when I was a teenager...

Why not take your sister's extras and split the cost. It does work great for me. I am 51 and still get very bad acne if I don't use something. It is in the family. It seems like the females in my family get it. Me, My sis and her daughter. I get regular acne and the kind that is like cysts. I, also wish I had it when I was a teen and maybe I would not have the scars I have now. I would use an oil free moisturiser with it also. If it makes your skin a little dry and your skin may itch because of that, use the last treatment a little less often. You want to keep from getting those scars because they show up more as you get older.
Also, make sure you give 1 month because at first Proactive makes the acne come out then it starts to clear up.

Lonie

They have ProActive kiosks at the mall here and you can buy just what you want to try it. Before our daughter started Clinique, we bought a small size of ProActive and it was awful of her skin....much too strong.

She did not have acne, she was looking at it as a proavtive approach but instead went with Clinique products and has never had an issue.

I avoid knockoffs becacuse you don't know what they did (added/deleted ingredients, ,cheaper ingredients) to make it cheaper, esp Wal-Mart....they are known in the industry for cutting corners.