|
What works with Proactiv is the regime. All of the stuff in their products is sold for much less at your local grocery or discount store.
1) Don't wash your face more than 2x daily.
2) The best exfoliant for your money is a clean washcloth, but don't overexfoliate--you'll just irritate your skin and cause inflammation.
3) Use a gentle cleanser (such as Neutrogena's Fresh Foaming Cleanser) or, if you have oily skin, a cleanser with salicylic acid (like Neutrogena's Acne Face Wash--the orange stuff). Stay away from harsh and abrasive cleansers such as scrubs and those featuring menthol, which is a major irritant to sensitive skin.
4) Tone if necessary--I like Neutrogena's Pore Refining Toner because it has glycolic acid in it (an alpha-hydroxy acid, which serves as a chemical exfoliant), but if you're on a budget, a bottle of witch hazel will work just as well (witch hazel also acts as a chemical exfoliant, because it contains salicylates).
5) Moisturize. Any basic moisturizer will do, but if you have problems with acne, look for products with glycolic acid or salicylic acid (a beta-hydroxy acid and chemical exfoliant). Also make sure that your moisturizer is non-comedogenic (meaning it won't cause acne), and contains sunscreen, or else be prepared to apply sunscreen seperately.
6) Spot treat. As you get cysts, whiteheads, or blackheads, spot-treat them with a benzoyl peroxide cream of at least 5% strength. Anything less is not strong enough to work, and more than 5% can overdry and irritate your skin. Also, keep this away from your clothes--it will bleach them.
These steps and the information contained therein are largely derived from Paula Begoun's book, "Don't Go To the Cosmetics Counter Without Me".
__________________
If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau
|