After having tried everything from expensive plant-based skin care lines, to Retin A, to monthly antibiotics, I was desperate to find something to help my "adult acne" (I'm in my late 30's). It was that desperation, plus an article on ProActiv in Allure Magazine, that led me to break my personal ban on infomercial products and finally buy ProActiv Solution. I bought my first pack on the Internet, not off the TV or a magazine ad.

The "Complete 3-step Kit" consists of:

• Renewing Cleanser (4 oz.)
• Revitalizing Toner (4 oz.)
• Repairing Lotion (2 oz.)

I started out slowly with the repairing lotion, using it only once per day. I also continued using a medium-heavy night cream in case the benzoyl peroxide was too drying. (Both the cleanser and repairing lotion have 2.5% benzoyl peroxide; the toner has glycolic acid and witch hazel extract.)

The cleanser feels very nice. The instructions say not to use it to remove eye makeup, so you must remember to do that as a separate step. The cleanser consistently removes all of my makeup (I don't use the "won't rub off" kind.) My skin doesn't feel tight or stingy like it does with some soaps, even those that call themselves "mild".

I can't really define what the toner does that I can see. Again, I promised myself that I'd follow the program as described, so I used it religiously.

The refining lotion is the biggest surprise. It feels wonderful and banishes any dryness that may remain. Although it is really a medicated lotion, it absorbs quickly, smells nice, and spreads smoothly. I've found that it works best to wait about 5 minutes after applying the lotion to apply my makeup base.

My skin adapted well to the regime. The only time I experienced over-drying was when I used the Refining Mask (6% sulfur) too often. For me, using the refining mask once every 7 - 10 days is plenty. I have also moved to using the refining lotion twice per day, and have dropped my night cream. Some days I lightly apply an oil-free Clinique moisturizer in the evening. I religiously use eye cream morning and night.

The overall texture and clarity of my skin has improved noticeably. For 3 weeks of the month, I have no pimples (plus fewer blackheads). I still get one or two big, cyst-like pimples every month, but that is fewer than I was getting, and they clear up much quicker. So after 7 1/2 weeks of use, I'm a believer.

I've run out of cleanser, but still have plenty of the other two products left. Now I'm anxiously waiting for my next shipment, which, as a "Club" member, should be shipped to me every 60 days. The ultimate test will be how good my results will be through a long, hot Texas summer.

review: 1/99

Update to ProActiv Review
While I'm still a believer in ProActiv, I've found that I have developed a sensitivity or allergy to the cleanser. After taking a break from using the products, I had another bad outbreak. So I decided to pull out my ProActiv, hoping for the great results I had when I first used the product.

Unfortunately, even though I was careful to keep the cleanser away from my eyes, just rinsing my face was enough to get some on my eyelids. My eyelids began to itch and felt dry, so I put some moisturizer on them. In a few days, my eyelids began to flake and peel. I hadn't changed anything else in my routine, so I knew the flaking was caused by ProActiv. So I took another break from the products.

About six months later, I had to start taking hormones and my complexion protested loudly. Again, I pulled out my ProActiv. Again, my eyelids began to itch. But this time, after only one use, I woke up with my eyes swollen shut. This happened twice in a row, so I know it is the cleanser.

I'm disappointed because I sure would like to use ProActiv right now!

Do take note here that I have sensitive skin, and am 40. Both of these things make it more likely that a product like ProActiv would irritate my skin.