I am only human guys and my skin is very far from perfect!  Lately, I’ve had more troubles with my skin because I went to non-stop travels.  My recent trip before I took this experiment was when I went to Cambodia.  It was crazy, hot, humid and dusty!  All the elements my face needed to breed acne!  It’s so nakakadiri!

I cringe at the site of my face without makeup (except for eyebrows, I had to put a little coz I barely have any!).  I cringe that I’m posting it on public.  But what the heck, I’m real and I’m sharing this so suck it >.<

I’ve been dying to try this product for a long time already since I watched the informercial on TV.  You might be familiar about the product – Proactiv.  Celebrities who use and endorse it are Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, Jessica Simpson, Hilary duff etc.

The real question is, does Proactiv work?  I am very curious myself and if it does work magic like this, then it would be quite something!  My face is ready!

I got my hands on my own Proactiv 30-Day Kit

You can buy this at any Watsons store

Unboxing the Proactiv 30-Day Kit

Proactiv usage directions and quick start guide

The instructions are pretty much spot-on and self-explanatory

Warnings and Personal Notes before using:

1.  If your skin is too sensitive, check with your dermatologist first.

2.  If your skin is allergic to any ingredient indicated, do not use it (obviously)

3.  If you start using it and your face feels irritated, stop using it.

4.  Using this product would mean you need to avoid sunlight, use sunscreen! (non-comedogenic)

5.  The product could be drying on the skins so don’t forget to use moisturizer (non-comedogenic)

6.  Use only non-comedogenic products (meaning, products tested not to cause pimples or acne on your skin and do not block your pores)

7.  Using the product could cause a little sting (but even for me who has a sensitive skin didn’t feel noticeable pain at all).  If it stings too much on your end, you might want to either use it only once a day, or every other day, see if your skin gets used to it, but if you have severe allergic reactions – please stop!

*sorry for the noisy photo, I have invested on a better HD camera and this will not happen again.

HOW-to- USE the Proactiv® 3-Step System for best overall results

Step 1: Cleanse

Apply the Renewing Cleanser to moistened skin and massage gently for 1-2 minutes.

Step 2:  Tone

Apply the Revitalizing Toner to cleansed skin with a cotton ball or pad morning and night as needed. Allow toner to dry and follow with Repairing Treatment.

Step 3: Treat with Repairing Treatment

Apply the Repairing Treatment to the entire face or other blemish prone areas after the above two steps have been completed twice per day, as long as redness and skin irritation do not occur.

Use a pea-sized amount

Step 4: Every once so often (every 2 or 3 days), put refining mask

You can put it for 10 mins or sleep with it overnight (as per box’s instruction)

*** Apply the Refining Mask; after cleansing, and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse gently with warm water. Use 2-3 times per week or more frequently is desired.

PROACTIV TIP: The Refining Mask also makes a great leave-on spot treatment at night. Apply it over the Repairing Treatment wherever you have red bumps for a better complexion in the morning.

How Proactiv Works

Taken within a week of use.

In the morning, where there’s sunlight on my face,  you can see my skin better.

Overnight, I really got to feel results by the moment I wake up.  My skin felt smoother and less caky and bumpy.

Of course, nothing much happens overnight, but I still felt a little difference

Eek! you get to see my pores clearly now.  I say not bad! actually it did a pretty good job!

Let’s see what happens after 30 days! I will keep you posted 😉

More info about Proactiv

Proactiv Solution is a Combination Therapy System

Proactiv is a combination therapy system (first of its kind) which has several products in a system that heals the blemishes that you currently have.

The process of acne is complicated. Using a “one-shot” approach of full-strength medicine to dry out a pimple after it’s erupted won’t work in the long run. And because the acne cycle occurs over 1-3 weeks deep inside the skin, the pimple or blemish that finally appears is the finale of this process, not the beginning. That’s why, just like brushing your teeth prevents cavities, daily treatment with the combination of non-prescription medicines found in Proactiv helps stops acne before a breakout is visible.

Prevents Future Breakouts

ost products on the market today are engineered to clear existing blemishes, not prevent future breakouts, which is why they often are a single product instead of a system. Acne is a very complex skin condition that cannot be adequately treated using one medication or a single product. In order to both heal and prevent breakouts, one must address the plugging of the pore, excess sebum (oil), bacterial overgrowth and inflammation. Proactiv was the first acne treatment system in the world, and is still #1 because it provides the right ingredients in the right order to address the acne process. It treats the process below the skin’s surface. Acne prevention is Proactiv’s goal. Once the skin is clear, it means the medicines are working. So the secret to maintaining a great complexion is sticking with the program.

Money Back Guarantee

While Proactiv is successful for the vast majority of people who use it daily, no medicine works for everyone. That is why Proactiv offers a risk free, money back guarantee (subject to terms and conditions). The small percentage of people who do not respond positively and continue to have stubborn breakouts can contact our Customer Service or check the bottom part of the Proactiv Box for more details. With this added value, customers have nothing to lose but their acne.

Where to Buy Proactiv

PROACTIV SOLUTION is available at the following outlets:

•Door to Door delivery Hotlines (729-2222, 1-800-8-729-8888, 1-800-10-889-4444, 0917-801-8888)

•Proactiv mall kiosks:

i.Glorietta, Ground Floor

ii.Trinoma, 2nd Floor

iii. Robinsons Galleria, 3rd Floor

iv.Marquee Mall, Ground Floor

•All Watsons’ outlets or SM Department Store branches.

•Proactiv Online Shopping Cart: http//my.proactiv.com.ph

Proactiv Price

Proactiv 30 Day Kit – P2495

Renewing Cleanser, 60 ml

Revitalizing Toner, 60

Repairing Treatment, 30 ml

FREE: Refining Mask, 28gm

Proactiv 60 Day Kit – P3995

Renewing Cleanser, 120 ml

Revitalizing Toner, 120 ml

Repairing Treatment, 60 ml

FREE: Refining Mask, 28 gm

What happens to my skin when I’m stressed

1. I have a combination skin – On my T-zone it has the tendency to be really oily and on the other parts of my skin, it could get itchy dry.
2. Pimples… Pimples… Pimples… yes, they pop usually on my T-zone (disgusting!!!) If only it is legal to go on a “sick leave” caused by pimples…  I remember one time I was supposed to have this date… suddenly this huge mountain of horrible unwanted bump on my face grew!!! I had to postpone the date…
3. Whiteheads, Blackheads – they are usually smaller and less noticeable than pimples… but say, if you’re a cam-whore like me and you often take pictures of yourself with a High-Definition sharp camera, you’d see it in the pictures (ughhh)
4. Pores – fortunately my pores are not humongous yet!  but they start appearing on my T-zone area :(  (PANIC!)

Corporate Girls

Many corporate girls can relate to this dilemma I have… especially fellow accountants like me or those that work night shifts or have heavy over time hours.  Financial data is really critical nearing year-end and it is expected that our workload would increase like crazy!

One cure for this facial problem is of course… beauty sleep and rest!

BUT!!! Reality is – I have a job and it is demanded of me to do all those tasks because I am getting paid for it… I have no choice but to comply… but yeah… year-end stress.

The Philippines’ weather

My friend Angela just got back from London and I was so amazed how her skin got so nice there!  She’s also stressed out there but her skin remained nice.  I think it’s also the weather there that made her skin smooth and pimple-free.  She was saying that she did not get to sweat (unappropriately) there.  Here in the Philippines, the air is so humid and the weather is so hot that it may cause our skin to break-out.  All of you will agree (especially girls commuting) that our air is filled with pollution.  Dirty air that causes pimples! yucks!

Manage your skin on a Stressful day

You can however manage your skin still… Make sure to manage your time well… Beauty sleep is important to restore our skin’s health so make sure to do that.  Make sure to also have a routine to take care of your skin.  You know the basic skin care… use a facial soap dedicated only to your skin, apply toner after and use moisturizer.  If your skin has that ugly bump on your face, then you can apply a speed gel acne control treatment.

I am also guilty of not taking care of my skin :(  My often excuse is, – I don’t have time… But I just realized that If I am stressed… and at the end of the day, I also look UGLY… (or feel ugly) … then I’d get more stressed – and DEPRESSED!  I need to practice the virtue of Vanity – that is “not to get lazy when it comes to taking care of my own health and beauty.”

Therefore, I tried this Acne Control Kit by Clean and Clear…  I have tried it for more than a month now and I think the best word to describe this kit is “Prevention.”

With my monthly visitor and month-end stress coming I would have expected to have a serious major acne breakout.  I have been sleeping really late at night (up to 3am in the morning) and usually when I don’t have much sleep, that’s where my pimples go out.

Recommended 4-step Acne-Fighting regimen by Clean and Clear (oil-free and non-comodogenic)

1st Step – The first step to your acne-fighting regime is the powerful yet gentle daily cleanser that works on pores using salicylic acid to fight acne-causing bacteria.  It prevents existing acne from getting worse and also helps prevent future breakouts from occurring.

2nd Step – The second step to your acne-fighting regime is the powerful daily toner that reduces excess oil, helping to effectively prevent acne.

(no pictures after this because you might get sick of my face :P)

3rd step – The third step to your acne-fighting regime is the powerful oil-free daily moisturizer.  The formula with active botanicals helps clear and prevent acne whilst hydrating skin . This soothing moisturizer gently nourishes skin. It contains a breakthrough technology proven to dissolve oil fast, so serious acne medication can penetrate deep down to pores.

4th step – The fourth step to your acne-fighting regime is the powerful spot formula that penetrates deep into pores to help visibly reduce acne symptoms fast.  It should show results in as little as 8 hours.  It clears up pimples and prevents new ones from forming.

I must say that the speed gel works well with me…  The evil bacteria had almost successfully created an ugly bump on my face.  Immediately, I tried to put on the speed gel in the morning.  Comes night, it didn’t swell more like I expected it to.  Best thing is that the evil bump did not evolve into a giant white yuckiness. (iiiw)