Product Review: Proactiv Solution System

My teen saw the infomercials, with the before-and-after photos of celebrities and regular people. Jessica Simpson, Lindsey Lohan, Kelly Clarkson, Elle MacPherson, Vanessa Williams and other lovelies filled our TV screen with their blemish-free faces and urged her to purchase ProActive.

She heard the claims of those who were transformed from gory to glorious, as their acne disappeared. She looked in the mirror and begged me to buy ProActiv.

For $19.95 (US), we ordered the introductory kit. It arrived within 48 hours. My daughter eagerly opened the box to find three small containers. Religiously she began to follow the three-step instructions:

The Process

Using the Renewing Cleanser (with prescription-strength benzoyl peroxide), she washed and exfoliated her face. This dried up her face somewhat, as most acne treatments do.

Following up with the Revitalizing Toner, she remarked about how clean her face suddenly felt.

Finally, she applied the Repairing Lotion, which also contains benzoyl peroxide.

The Results

Almost immediately, my daughter's acne was visibly improved. This was the first acne regimen she had tried, besides over-the-counter pimple creams. Quite possibly, the most improvement resulted from her newly consistent facial care.

Despite the marked improvement, her acne did not clear up entirely with ProActive.

Our pediatrician suggested a dermatologist, who prescribed an oral antibiotic, and allergy-free facial cleansing products, and a stronger acne cream.

My daughter now sports a crystal-clear complexion. She hardly wears any makeup anymore, and she positively glows.

The Guarantee

ProActive is backed by "100 Guarantee." The ads clearly state this. If you are not fully satisfied with the products, you can return the empty containers for a full refund.

Of course, we were unable to retrieve all of the original packaging, so we did not avail ourselves of the return policy.

Just try to find an empty box, or anything else, in a teenager's room. I think Jimmy Hoffa is buried in there!

However, I have heard of others who have actually received full refunds for returning ProActive.

The Marketing

Currently, ProActive is not available in stores. Consumers can only obtain the products by phone, direct mail, or online. Guthy-Renker, the manufacturer, automatically enrolls each customer in The Clear Skin Club.

Here's what this means: Once you order, they will send you a new shipment each month, whether you need it or not.

My daughter tried the products for one month. We were not fully satisfied, but a second shipment spontaneously arrived. We returned it, unopened, to the post office. It took a phone call and a series of e-mails to cancel our membership in The Clear Skin Club and stop additional shipments.

A Lifelong Relationship?

I still receive e-mails and postal mailings from Guthy-Renker, urging us to re-enroll and reorder. Had I known we would become pen pals, I might never have ordered in the first place!