Wednesday 16 May 2012

Battling Acne: Proactiv Refining Mask

Proactiv Refining Mask -- the acne killer
Who hasn't seen the consistent, celebrity-laden ads by Proactiv on television? Everyone from Katy Perry to Justin Beiber is claiming that Proactiv saved their skin.
I have never been shy about discussing my own battles with blemishes with you all, and I have tried many products but never Proactiv. This is because Proactiv's main three step system is primarily based in benzyol peroxide, which can also be found in much cheaper drugstore branded cleansers. I have used Clear and Clear (BP based) before and it irritated my skin. I have read plenty of reviews from Proactiv users who also claimed that the three step stystem irritated their skin beyond belief. BP also has bleaching properties that will ruin your wash clothes, as well as anything else it touches (pillow cases, for example).
Proactiv apparently makes it very difficult to cancel your monthly subscription to their service, and if you sign up for Proactiv you are automatically enrolled in their auto-delivery program. Apparently, they do not make this explicitly obvious when enrolling online. Read independent reviews for yourself before doing business with this company- I have, and it made me wary.
However, one of my local malls has a Proactiv kiosk, and while the three step system didn't sound like it was worth a go, I had read many rave reviews for their refining mask ($31.20/70g). I am sure if you watch TV you know what the refining mask is, because it's been spotlighted as a free gift when purchasing the three step system. I decided to purchase a bottle of it from the mall kiosk, without having any clue how much it would cost. It isn't cheap, but I've seen more expensive masks out there.
Proactiv's refining mask is made to soothe irritation and diminish acne. This mask has a 6% concentration of sulfur, which is known to heal and prevent acne. The mask is also enriched with omegas, and has a clay base. Proactiv says this mask will give 'radiant, healthier looking skin, with refined texture and tone, reduced appearance of pores and wonderful clarity'. It is recommended to be used as a mask 2-3 times weekly, and as an overnight spot treatment as needed. 
Proactiv Refining Mask -- it is very thick in texture
My experiences with this mask have been excellent. I have used it as a spot treatment on emerging pimples and they've gone back where they came from, diminishing in size and healing very quickly. I have also used this as an all over face mask on a weekly basis, although I'm not sure if it is preventing me from breaking out.  I have been taking my cod liver oil and using retin-A, so a combination of these three things seems to be greatly improving my skin (but I am still getting pimples regularly).
The only thing I really dislike about this mask is the smell. It is sulfur based, so it smells like rotten eggs. I really really hate that scent, and it takes a lot to stomach it. It is worth it for the results, though. I would highly recommend this product to anyone looking for a great multi-use item for battling acne!
I have recently reached 150 followers- thank you ALL so much for reading and commenting, it means the world to me. I will be hosting an awesome 150 follower giveaway after the Victoria day long weekend. If anyone has a suggestion for what they might like to see as a giveaway prize, leave it in the comments! I'm open to ideas at this point. Is anyone getting out of the city and doing something fun for their long weekend? Let me know!
--S

23 comments:

  1. i love the refining mask and the whole system in general but i've been introducing cheaper drugstore alternatives and french skincare along with proactiv and it works wonders too.
    congrats on 150 followers, thats amazing :D:D

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    1. do you have a post outlining your skincare routine? if not, you should do one! I want to check it out.

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  2. I used Proactiv 6 years ago when I was in high school, it helped for about 2 years or so then my acne came back again so I stopped using it. My acne has been up and down my entire life (I don't have much acne now but I'm always afraid it will come back). It's hard to recommend products to people with acne because everyone is so different, all I know is nothing at the drugstore worked for me. I remember loving this mask though!

    Congrats on 150 followers! Maybe some of YOUR favorite makeup products would be a good prize :)

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    1. its so true, everyone's body chemistry is different, everyone's acne is triggered by different things, it takes a LOT of trial and error (and money!!) to find what works for you. I am still searching for my perfect combination for clear skin.
      good idea to feature some of my favourite products in my giveaway. I like a lot of LUSH stuff though, and I'm not sure if a lot of my readers are into that.

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  3. How perfect that you posted about this product! I bought the 10% Sulpher Mask from DDF last year and I find that it's amazing for clearing up clogged pores....however, I am almost out of it and if I remember correctly it's close to $50! I think I'm going to stop off at a Proactive Kiosk when I'm done with my DDF :) Thanks for the review!

    Congrats on 150 subscribers, that's amazing!

    xo Courtney

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    1. oh yes, this product will be cheaper (DDF is very expensive overall, man oh man!). however, the refining mask is only 6% sulfur, I wonder if that'll make a big difference? either way, it's working well for me!
      thanks for the congrats, I am very happy to have 150 lovely readers!

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  4. I've used this mask in my teens, it's great!
    Congrats on 150 followers! That's amazing :D

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    1. haha it's pale in comparison to your almost 500! but I am very happy to have 150 lovely people reading my posts :)

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  5. I think I might try this, got some very stubborn jawline spots that refuse to budge, the buggers! Great review and congrats x

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    1. oh aren't those ones the worst? I had one above my ear that I swear stuck around for a good 3-4 months!

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  6. I used to use this mask a few years ago when my skin was really going crazy and it worked like a charm! We also have a Pro Active kiosk in our Mall...I should grab another tube...it's one of those products that's just great to have on hand!

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    1. yes it really is! even if you're not broken out, its supposed to tone etc. so it'd be a good facial mask to have on hand, I agree!

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  7. Great review!
    Pro active is great!

    following you from the blog hop <3

    xoxo
    Janelle @ http://www.glamorousmama.com

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    1. thank you for stopping by! I will check out your blog now xo

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  8. did you find it to irritate your skin at all? it seems like it works for some people but I don't think it'd be right for me.

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  9. Thank goodness the product is worth battling the smell! After spending a month helping out in a Mexican orphanage where the water in the washrooms had sulphur in it, I don't know if I can be as brave as you've been with the refining mask!

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  10. I used proactiv for quite awhile but the last year or so I used it made my skin worse and ended up doing long time damage on my chin and cheeks. I did like the mask but found that if you use it too often it will have adverse effects especially on spots :( Just be careful of how often you use it on them and you'll be fine! Also about the auto enroll thing it is the worst! I tried cancelling two times before the third time finally stuck and that was only because I told them they need to send me notice of the cancellation in writing. Bunch of jerks they are! lol

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  11. Used teh refining mask for years and I agree it works really really well.. I had to watch for it overdrying sometimes but other then that (and the smell) it is fantastic... I need to give you a congratulations back on hitting 150:) What a big milestone so happy for you ...Here's to the next 150!

    xo

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  12. so sorry....although our product isn't the best smelling it's natural, vegan and gluten free,,,there's only 4 ingredients.

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  13. I have very sensitive skin. If i put on any acne treatments for my face it starts to burn and i get some weird color on my face. best acne treatment review. And I also started getting dry skin on my face. Know any good acne treatments?

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  14. I have extremely dry skin, however I still have a problem with acne on my chin and the sides of my cheeks. I was wondering what acne treatments or face washes work well for getting rid of acne but won't dry out my skin more than what it already is. Thanks! acne treatments blog

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  15. I'm livid with this company as their products didn't work for me at all and before I knew it I had a refill kit and an extra $50 bill. It took 4 calls to them to get my subscription cancelled and it'll be another 6 weeks before I get a refund.

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  16. I'am currently using Proactive and it really does work amazing! I've been using it for about a week, and i already see improvements in my skin! I wash it every night before I go to bed, and after that, my skin just feels so refreshed and soft and clean. Read more reviews about Proactiv for acne!

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