The Truth About Acne and Proactiv

Hey coffeeholics! How is your skin lately? Well I’m pleased to say that the acne on my skin, especially my face, has not been making an appearance that much ever since I’ve been using Proactiv. I haven’t had any major zits for several months already! Well, I’m pretty much sure you wanna know how this can also be true to you! Well here are some things you need to know and realize about the truth about acne.

My BEFORE Pic. Yes I have zits around my mouth area, sometimes on my cheeks, forehead, or my chin area. 

Acne is the most common skin disease and very common to teenagers. Nearly everyone experiences acne at some point in life. Honestly, I’ve been having acne ever since I was in high school! It may last for a few months or a few years. An acne blemish begins approximately 2-3 weeks before it appears on your skin’s surface. So while it may seem you get a pimple overnight, what you’re actually seeing is the final stage of a much longer process. Shocking right? So the saying that you got pimples because napuyat ka kagabi  is NOT TRUE!  It actually starts in your sebaceous hair follicles – the tiny holes you know as pores. Yes PORES. Deep within each follicle, your sebaceous glands are working to produce sebum, the oil that keeps your skin moist and pliable. As your skin renews itself, the old cells die, mix with your skin’s natural oils, and are sloughed off. Under normal circumstances, these cells are shed gradually, making room for fresh new skin. Dead skin cells may block the pores, resulting to over accumulation of oil underneath. Bacteria that live on the skin naturally begin to grow and multiply in this site, triggering an inflammatory response causing a red, angry pore that we may see as pimple already at the tail-end of the acne formation process.  

I guess the next logical question would be – what provokes acne?

Contrary to popular belief, acne is not caused by eating too much chocolates or oily foods, nor does it occur exclusively on teenagers. Acne is a cyclic process that everyone experiences, and can occur at any age. Stress, periods, climate, cosmetic products (comedogenic), drugs and industrial chemical are factors that provoke acne. So maybe one sleepless night doesn’t provoke acne but the stress from sleepless nights can. Lam na!

And now to the pressing question, how to prevent acne?

Nourish - There is no miracle diet to clear acne, but a healthy, balanced diet can help your skin fight acne. Choose fresh, unprocessed foods from all four groups and drink eight glasses of water a day, or more when you exercise. Totoo. Our body is made up of almost 70% water so we need that.

Cleanse - To maintain clear skin, stick to a daily acne-fighting skin-care routine. Gently wash your face with a soap-free exfoliating cleanser twice a day to remove excess oil, dirt and dead skin cells. Avoid over washing, which dries out your skin and causes it to produce even more oil.

Protect - While small amounts of sun exposure may seem to clear acne at first, the sun actually dries your skin, causing it to produce more oil and dead cells, creating the ideal environment for blemishes. Avoid excess sun exposure and wear at least SPF 15 sunscreen every day, even if it's cloudy.

Rest - A good night's sleep (7-8 hours) can do wonders for your complexion and immune system, which helps fight infection to clear acne more quickly. 

Exercise - Your skin benefits from an increase in blood flow and blood oxygen level achieved by exercise. If you are prone to body acne, wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing when exercising, and shower with an acne-fighting body wash soon after. 

Relax - Acne starts inside hair follicles, where your sebaceous glands produce the protective oil that keeps skin soft and supple. Hormones control these glands, and psychological stress affects hormone levels. Too much stress can yield too much oil and trigger the acne cycle. So relax—take a bath, go for a walk, do yoga or whatever you want to make you feel happy and calm. For me, that would mean reading a book!

In all honesty, out of those 6 suggestions, I've only been regularly cleansing and protecting but not so much on the others! I am soooo guilty of not doing the 7-8 hours of sleep. So if you want to promote a more acne-free atmosphere, a good night's rest is definitely a must! But still, I think the most effective way is to use the Proactiv Solution Combination therapy.

This is how Proactiv Solution Combination Therapy stops acne:

1. The Proactiv Renewing Cleanser (Step 1) and the Proactiv Revitalizing Toner (Step 2) works by removing dead skin cells, ensuring that the pores don’t get clogged. The Proactiv Revitalizing Toner (Step 2) removes excess oils.

2. The Proactiv Renewing Cleanser (Step 1) and Proactiv Repairing Treatment (Step 3) kill the bacteria and prevent proliferation.

3. The Refining Mask helps reduce the inflammation and swelling. Proactiv is designed to attack acne “proactively” – delivering the right concentration of medicines and acne-care agents, in the right order and concentrations, to help control the acne cycle before breakouts occur. If you have acne, Proactiv Solution is the key to clear complexion.

Proactiv is safe and effective for almost everyone with mild to moderate acne – healing the breakouts you may have today and keeping your complexion clear by helping to prevent future breakouts. By clearing your skin, Proactiv also helps blemishes from leaving behind permanent scars. Proactiv combines mild concentrations of antimicrobial acne medicine with botanical skin-care agents to gently remove excess dead skin cells and oil (to keep pores from clogging); to kill acne causing bacteria inside pores; and to soothe redness and irritation.

Pimple free! Dark spots na lang.. :P

Try it. Promise, you won’t regret it. My face is now clearer and pimple free ever since. You can check out the Proactiv Solution comes in 30-Day kit (P2,495) and 60-Day kit (P3,995) and is available at all Watsons nationwide.

Nicole Scherzinger Sizzles as Proactiv's New Endorser

Hey coffeeholics! Guess whose Proactive's brand new endorser? Well who else but the very lovely Nicole Scherzinger! And well who hasn't heard of Nicole Scherzinger? Her fabulous face and equally wonderful voice is definitely memorable especially when we all found out that she's one of our very own kababayan. Nicole is actually of Filipino/Hawaiian/Russian descent and her charisma knows no bounds. Her international sex appeal needs no translation. Bet you didn't know that her rise to fame and success wasn't always smooth and easy. She was raised in a modest household by her mom and German-American stepfather, her humble upbringing didn’t deter her from pursuing her burning ambition to become a singer. She exploded into the pop scene as the lead singer of the Pussycat Doll. I was pretty impressed with her awesome vocals and she just exuded this aura of exotic beauty and confidence. One of my favorite songs that she has rendered as part of the Pussycat Dolls was Jai Ho. Absolutely loved her vocals there! Then she embarked on a solo career as a recording artist, selling a total of 60 million records. She also has film experience, won Season 10 of Dancing with the Stars and was a judge at the UK and US editions of The X Factor.


Her Proactiv Story

So how did Nicole got to know about Proactiv? It all started with one of her friends in her band. She must indeed be a good friend because we all know that even if someone has radiant, glowing skin like Nicole, you must still work hard to maintain it that way. Her friend had really bad breakouts and blemishes that really scarred her skin. But then her friend discovered Proactiv and blossomed.

“I feel like in my line of work, I’m always under the microscope. It’s quite traumatic when you have an acne breakout and blemishes because you wake up and you’re hoping that your face is clear,” she shares. Fortunately for Nicole, she found a beauty ally, which allows her to emphasize her personal philosophy that sexiness starts from having clear, blemish-free skin. In no time, she grew to be a Proactiv lover as well.

“They say that the eyes are the windows to our souls, right? But when you have an acne breakout, nobody’s looking at your eyes. They’re looking at your appearance. But when you get clear, they can see you for who you really are,” Nicole says. “With Proactiv, I’m empowered now. I can hold my head up higher. I can smile bigger. And I can put the energy on other people.”

Why Nicole chooses Proactiv over other acne medication

 
Nicole chose Proactiv because of the benzoyl peroxide formulation found  in Proactiv’s 3-Step System. It works safely and more effectively than other products claiming to have benzoyl peroxide in the market. The Proactiv Combination Therapy acne management system combines finely-milled, prescription-grade benzoyl peroxide with sulfur and soothing botanicals like allantoin, panthenol, aloe and chamomile. Together these ingredients gently exfoliate your skin, unplug your pores, attack acne-causing bacteria and soothe inflammation.

Here is what Nicole Scherzinger, certified beauty icon, wants you to know about Proactiv:

“What would I say to somebody who has gone through breakouts and blemishes? That there’s hope. That you can take control. That you can do it. That you can change. Proactiv gives you clear skin. It gives you clarity of mind and self and spirit. I would say that you can take charge of your life again. You can be empowered. You can be who you are meant to be.”

So my dears, if you have been lamenting about all those breakouts and blemishes, Nicole herself said it. There is HOPE. :) You too can have clear beautiful skin. All you have to do to get your hands on Proactiv Solutions is to drop by the nearest Watsons and SM Department Stores (Beauty Section). Or better yet, you can order online and have it delivered to you! Just click this link. Have a great weekend!

Treat Acne with Proactiv that has Benzoyl Peroxide

Dear Diary (otherwise known as you my dear coffeeholic readers who sympathize with me), Acne has come visiting again. Almost every month I share with you on what's happening with my war against acne. Unfortunately for me, its been acting up again. I blame it on barely sleeping nights, lack of water, aaaaand this month I'm kind of guilty of not being faithful in my skin care cleansing routine. Which is bad coz now I'm reaping the effects of not using it.

Skin care products and medications, especially to treat acne are growing steadily in the market. I totally understand coz who wouldn't want clear, beautiful, acne-free skin? It's crazy how there are so many products out there in all forms, shape, and size. The no. 1 question though is -- do these products really treat acne?

For years now, the gold standard of treating mild to moderate acne is the benzoyl peroxide. This is because it is a topical antimicrobial medicine, an oxidizing agent that specifically kills P. acnes, the bacteria that cause acne breakouts. To a lesser extent, it also helps to unblock pores and has an anti-inflammatory effect. BPO is not an antibiotic, and in 50 years of use, there has never been a documented case of BPO bacterial resistance; it is the cornerstone of prescription and over-the-counter acne therapy.

And Proactiv Solution knows that.

That’s why Proactiv Solution has Micro-crystals (micro-crystal medicine) benzoyl peroxide!
The exclusive form of benzoyl peroxide (BPO) found in the Proactiv 3-Step System’s Renewing Cleanser (Step 1) and Repairing Treatment (Step 3). A crystalline BPO that is finely milled in order to achieve the pore penetration required to control the acne cycle. The Proactiv micro-crystal BPO features exceptionally small and uniform particles—designed specifically to penetrate pores faster and to be gentler on the skin.

OTHER WAYS TO TREAT ACNE

PROACTIV SOLUTION VS SOAP
While it may seem counter-intuitive, harsh scrubbing does not unclog your pores any better than gentle cleansing, and may actually worsen your acne. Cleansing and scrubbing only reduce surface oils and dead skin cells. Many people use harsh products, laden with alcohol and foamy surfactants (detergents) somehow wash the acne off their skin. However, these actions often produce irritation and worsen acne. That happened to me once and it felt like my face burned. Never again! Now, it is possible to gently unplug pores with fine polyethylene beads that gently relieve impacted pores without irritation.

Proactiv Solution does not contain any surfactants that can harsh the skin. This is a relief to know.

Proactiv® Renewing Cleanser is formulated without the harsh detergents, known as surfactants, found in many other cleansers. Surfactants, which are responsible for a sudsy foam and lather, strip skin of its essential oils. As a result, the skin’s barrier becomes damaged and vulnerable to irritation and infection.

PROACTIV SOLUTION VS SALICYLIC ACID
Salicylic acid in a cleanser breaks through the plug but does not kill the P. acnes bacteria, the bacteria that cause acne breakouts.

Acne is caused by a variety of factors that take place below the surface of the skin. That’s why it’s best to gently wash with a medicated cleanser with proven ingredients, like benzoyl peroxide, or sulfur, that can penetrate the skin to help unclog pores, kill bacteria and/or reduce inflammation.

PROACTIV SOLUTION VS. ORAL DRUGS
When acne is severe, dermatologists sometimes prescribe oral drugs like isotretinoin or hormonal pills.

There are studies that support that these methods are extremely effective for severe cases, but because of the nature of these drugs there are side effects that make it questionable if the benefits truly outweigh the cost. For example, there were reports in 2010 linking suicidal tendencies and psychotic behaviors among acne patients on isotretinoin. Hormonal pills, which are mainly indicated as a contraceptive sometimes causes water retention, weight gain, mood swings, and in the long run, even breast cancer.

Proactiv Solution does not have these side effects!

With all these information about the advantages of using Proactiv, then of course my advise to you who seeks relief from acne is to try it yourself. Proactiv is SAFE and EFFECTIVE in preventing acne because of Benzoyl Peroxide. It's gentle on your skin unlike harsh soaps. It is more effective than Salicylic Acid coz it kills the root cause. And much much safer than oral drugs. Go ahead and free yourself from acne problems with the help of Proactiv. 

For more information, do visit the Proactiv Website.

Wen Cleansing Sweet Almond Mint Conditioner Review

Hey Coffeeholics! Say goodbye to your ordinary shampoo and say hello to a new kind of hair cleansing product -- the Wen Cleansing Conditioner.

Yep, you heard me right. CONDITIONER. With the Wen Cleansing Conditioner, we're gonna skip the shampooing part and just use it. Now in all honesty, I was reaaaally skeptic about this. Coz, I have OILY Hair (gah.. I know right. Not only my face but my hair too!). Its especially oily at the crown area. And based on experience, using conditioner during summer is a bad baaaad idea (oiliness to the highest level). To top it off, its a whole lot worse if I skip the shampoo part and just use conditioner. The best description I have for my hair would be the "basang sisiw" (wet baby chick) look. Haha. But I have heard of cleansing conditioners before but never tried it. After reading the description, I decided to give it a try.

Most shampoos have harsh detergents and sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates which make the hair dry, faded, dull, lifeless, and frizzy. Chaz Dean, a celebrity-stylist based in the USA in cooperation with Guthy Renker (makers of Proactiv Solution) worked together to formulate a new concept in hair cleansing, WEN® Cleansing Conditioner. It is a 5-in-1 formula; this one product takes the place of your shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioner, detangler and leave-in conditioner. It cleanses hair thoroughly but without lathering and without all the harsh ingredients that may be found in ordinary shampoos so your hair is left with sheen, moisture, manageability and better color retention.

I am quite aware that most shampoos have harsh chemicals and partly I fear that is the reason for some of my falling hair. So indeed I have been on a search for high quality hair cleansers. I was surprised and pleased to find out that Wen Cleansing Conditioner works in 5 different capacities. I really really wanted to try and see how it would affect me! So I took a BEFORE shot of my hair before I used the Wen Cleansing Conditioner.

 

*sighs* Yes I know, my hair is sadly very dry, frizzy, and the color quite dull. This is the normal state of my hair. I haven't been using conditioner coz its summer hence the additional dry look. Obviously its been a while since I had my hair colored. So I thought I'd stick with the feeling "ombre" hair. Anyway, so that's the sad state of affair BEFORE using Wen Cleansing Conditioner.

So I followed the instructions on the back of the Wen Cleansing Conditioner sachet which was to:

1. Thoroughly wet and rinse my hair with water. 
2. Apply Wen Cleansing Conditioner on the palm of my hand and rub together.
3. Apply evenly from the roots to the ends of the hair, making sure that it is completely saturated with the cleansing conditioner.
4. Add a splash of water and gently massage hair for 1-3 minutes.
5. Leave on at least 3-5 minutes for maximum conditioning. 
6. Rinse hair thoroughly and completely. 

For best results, Chaz suggests you cleanse, rinse, and repeat. You can also apply a small amount of the Wen Cleansing Conditioner from mid-shaft to end while hair is still soaking wet. It acts as a leave-on conditioner as you do so.

A small amount of Wen Cleansing Conditioner that I used for my hair. 

Here is some of my notes and observation about the product and the "cleansing" process:

• The conditioner's consistency is paste-like in texture.
• It has a nice minty feel and fragrance.
• Because I had thin long hair, I only needed to use a little bit more than what is shown on the pic above.
• Yes, I did the whole palm rubbing procedure. 
• I ran my fingers through my hair and massaged my scalp. 
• I waited it out in the prescribed amount of minutes. A total of 8 minutes before I started rinsing it out. 
• I also made use of the "leave-on" conditioner function of the product.

So after the whole process and letting my hair dry, this is how it looked like AFTER using Wen Cleansing Conditioner:

After ONE use of Wen Cleansing Conditioner, I noticed the difference! My hair was more light, airy, and silky. It did NOT feel dry at all! Yes, there was still a bit of frizz but not as horrible before. One other noticeable feature is that my hair looks ALIVE! hehe. Yes, my hair is no longer dull but vivid with color again! Yay! Here's a side by side BEFORE AND AFTER pic. On the LEFT side is the BEFORE pic and on the RIGHT side is the AFTER pic.

                                     

 

 

 

                                  BEFORE                                             AFTER

Based on the photos, you can definitely see that the prominent effect after 1 use is the vivid color of your hair. Which is good! I know that having colored hair is part of the reason of its dryness so having it vivid again is a good sign. 

Plus it did a good job in cleaning my hair. There was no "sticky" or "oily" feel to it after using. After a few hours after I cleaned my hair, so far so good. The crown of my head was not oily thank goodness. So for me, it does what it claims to do! 

For me personally, I think after a more regular use at a longer period of time will help you achieve that celebrity hair feel! hehe! Yay! Personally though, I found myself using the product every other day.

Anyway here are the key ingredients to the Sweet Almond Mint Variant:

• Aloe Vera Gel: soothing, healing, moisturizing, anti-fungal, antibacterial properties. 
• Glycerin: provides moisturizing benefits is one of the best known humectants and has natural moisturizing factors.
• Chamomile Extract: calming, soothing, with antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties. Also used for dry, flaky skin. 
• Cherry Bark: brings out the color, shine and softness in all shades of natural and color-treated hair. It will help manageability of hair.
• Calendula Extract: helpful as an antiseptic, healing wounds and reducing inflammation.
• Rosemary Extract: It stimulates hair growth and fights scalp problems. Helps with premature baldness. Has amazing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties. Is a tonic, astringent, restorative herb.
• Cetyl Alcohol: A fatty, moisturizing alcohol used as an emollient, emulsifier, thickener and carrying agent for other ingredients. Derived naturally from coconut. 
• Panthenol: acts as a penetrating moisturizer. Plumps & moisturizes hair shaft to make it appear thicker, reduces split ends, smoothes skin and strengthens hair as it seals in moisture.
• PEG-60 Almond Glycerides: with anti-irritant qualities, it contributes conditioning and glide to hair, as well as a conditioned feel to skin.
• Menthol: has a local anesthetic and counter-irritant quality. Can also reduce itching and tenderness.
• Sweet Almond Oil: excellent emollient, high in protein and fatty acids, ideal in the treatment of very dry, chapped skin. Having antiseptic properties, it heals and nourishes as it moisturizes the skin & hair without leaving a greasy residue.

Here are the Key Ingredients of the Pomegranate Variant

• Pomegranate Extract – Has anti oxidant properties comparable to wine or green tea. It is also incredibly hydrating.
• Hydrolized Soy Protein: Protein derived from Soya beans. Increases strength and manageability
• Organic Aloe Vera Leaf Juice: Healing, moisturizing, anti fungal, antibacterial properties.
• Rosemary Extract: Amazing antioxidant properties, stmulates hair growth and fight scalp problems.
• Chamomile extract: Calming, soothing with antibiotic and anti inflammatory properties. Also used for dry and flaky skin.
• Marigold Extract: Helpful as an antiseptic, healing wounds and reducing inflammation/
• Menthol: Has local anesthetic and counter-irritant qualities. Can also reduce itching and tenderness.
• Wild Cherry Fruit Extract: Soothing and anti inflammatory

So coffeeholics, if you are interested in buying the Wen Cleansing Conditioner, just drop by any of these stores:

1. Selected SM Department Stores (SM MOA, SM Makati, SM Southmall, SM North EDSA, SM Megamall)
2. Proactiv Branches: a) GF, Glorietta 2 (b) 2F, Trinoma (c) GF, Marquee
3. Door to Door Delivery Hotlines

• Landline: 729-2222
•  Globe Provincial: 1-800-8-729-8888
• PLDT Provincial: 1-800-10-889-4444
•  Mobile No.: 0917-801-8888

Proactiv Skin Care Advisors Answer Your Acne Questions

Hey Coffeeholics! February has been a bit hectic for me because its nearly the end of the school year. Wah. That means a lot of school related/teacher related stuff has been occupying a lot of my time. Wah. Pwede rin mag blog pag may time. hehe.

Photo from funnyasduck .net

Anyway, its been awhile since I've shared about my pimple woes and struggles. Don't you just hate it when zits seem to multiply just when you are about to go to a major event or party? (Sigh.. anong event? lapit na mag bday hihi!). Yes I thought that finally my pimple woes have disappeared but apparently they came back with a vengeance. I have one right now that's super bothering me. And its on the tip of the top on my lip. So not pretty. Very noticeable. Unavoidable eye sore. (uhhhmmm noooo I won't show you a photo this time. haha. nahihiya na ko. :P) Argh. Frustrating I swear.

Well I didn't know what to do but when I found out that Proactiv has Skin Care Advisors ready and available to answer my acne related questions, I immediately got intrigued! Now this is something that Proactiv users and Proactiv-who-want-to-be-users might be interested in, especially if you have pressing concerns or questions about your acne and which Proactiv product is best for you. The Skin Care Advisor program was actually launched last Januaray 2014 and the Skin Care Advisors are technically Proactiv sales representatives who were trained to offer free acne care advice and after-sales support for customers. They went through the same training module created by Doctors Rodan and Fields and are well-informed advisors and knowledgeable to answer questions about Acne and Proactiv. It is their goal to provide customers one-on-one guidance on how to achieve a lifetime of clear skin. Though I have already learned a lot about Acne, asking someone with more know-how is still a wise choice! So I decided to try asking them myself and see if they can help me out.

So earlier, I decided to try and call up the Proactiv Skin Care Advisor "hotline" at Glorietta 2. I don't know about you but sometimes I get nervous when I call up and inquire through the phone coz sometimes the other person on the other end of the line is not pleasant and sometimes sound mataray (snooty). Do you have that dilemma too? Well let me reassure you, calling up the Skin Care Advisor is easy and so not intimidating!

Meet Ms. Gladys Flores - the Proactiv Skin Care Advisor stationed at Glorietta 2. 

I called up the Proactiv Kiosk at Glorietta 2 and Ms. Flores became my Skin Care Advisor over the phone. Here's a summary of my experience of my phone conversation with her:

The Skin Care Advisor was very friendly, engaging, and patient. 
The Skin Care Advisor, Miss Gladys Flores, answered the phone in a bright and pleasing voice. I told her about my dilemma and asked a lot of questions. She was very patient as she answered each question, and all in a friendly tone of voice! The whole time I talked with her, she was very accommodating and it didn't feel intimidating at all. If I'm going to rate her from 1-10 with 10 being the highest, I'd give her a score of 8.5. Let me assure you that you don't need to feel worried that they will snub you when you call. Oh and you can ask in English, Tagolog, or Taglish -- no worries.

The Skin Care Advisor was quite knowledgeable.
Based on how she responded to my questions, I'd rate her as a 9. Yes she answered all my questions very well! And oh did I ask a lot. After hearing my dilemma, she explained how acne was formed, the causes of acne, and how the Proactiv 3 step treatment can work for me. Of course I also asked what most of you were wondering -- how long before it starts working. And she assured me that you can actually notice the difference during a period of 2-3 weeks. There were a lot of other follow up questions and she was able to answer all and in fact even volunteered other related info that would be helpful to know. One tip she advised me for my annoying pimple was to use the Proactiv Refining Mask and dab a little bit of that on inflamed area and leave it on overnight. I've actually started doing that so its good to know that I'm doing the right thing! The Proactiv Refining Mask is indeed one add-on product that I really like from Proactiv (Click to read more about my blog post of Proactiv Refining Mask).

The Skin Care Advisor seems trustworthy. 
When it comes to skincare, we want to be armed with the best information possible for our skin type. And I feel reassured that the Proactiv Skin Care Advisors know what they are really talking about because they were trained well. This was evident even with just that phone call that I made. Miss Gladys Flores came off as someone who was trustworthy enough to be a source of good information for my skincare concerns. I'd rate her with a 9 as well in this area.

All in all, the Skin Care Advisor support through phone was very good! How much more if you get to talk to them in person! I bet they are able to more accurately assess what other Proactiv products would work for you and not only that reassure you that you are making the right decision in your skincare concerns.

Ask your Proactiv Skin Care Advisors for your Acne Concerns!

So Coffeeholics, do you have any acne concerns and want to know more on how to deal with it and also understand how Proactiv can help? Well there are two ways to get in touch with your Skin Care Advisor. First is to see and talk to them yourselves at the Proactiv Kiosks at Greenbelt 2, Trinoma, Marquee Mall, and Watsons. I'm pretty much sure that they are able to answer your concerns. So coffeeholics, do feel free to approach them!

But if you are too busy or unable to visit a Proactiv Kiosk, you can always call them up and get in touch with a Proactiv Skin Care Advisor. Here's the number to call: 729-2222.

For specific branches you can try these numbers:

• Proactiv Mall Kiosk GF, Glorietta 2 (in front of Bershka) at (02) 388-2848.
• Proactiv Mall Kiosk 2F, Trinoma (in front of Reebok) at (02) 380-3801.
• Proactiv Mall Kiosk GF, Marquee Mall (in front of Payless) at (0935) 834-1523

Or you may visit here for more info - http://my.proactiv.com.ph/skin-care-advisors.htm.  

Proactiv Solution Daily Oil Control To The Rescue

Hey Coffeeholics! We are on the verge of saying goodbye to 2013. It has been an eventful year but I'm definitely looking forward to awesome things ahead on 2014. As the countdown is about to begin, I bet some of us are also are reflecting and thinking about what things should we say goodbye to at the same time as we bid adieu to 2013. One thing I would love to say goodbye to (hopefully) as the year ends is my oily face with the help and rescue of Proactiv Solution Daily Oil Control.

2013 - Kai vs. Zits.
So far, Kai is winning! yay! Less Zits.
Still need to work on controlling my "oily" face though. 

Yes, this 2013 has been kind to me because I'm happy to report that because of Proactiv and the things I've been learning through Proactiv has helped me win more battles in what I've been calling the Zit Wars. Like I've mentioned in my previous post before, Knowledge is Power. And being aware on what causes acne and what I can do to control it has indeed helped a lot. The Doctors' Secret to a Lifetime of Clear Skin (click to read my review) really helped me to understand more about this as mentioned in the previous Proactiv blog post last month. As you can see there are still some things I need to overcome. One of which is to take control of my oily face. Even with all the moisturizer, foundation, face powder, and other makeup that I use - after a few hours I have to just accept the fact that I'd still be oily. So I was pretty happy when Proactiv let me try out Proactiv Solution Daily Oil Control. Especially when I learned all about its properties.

The Proactiv Solution Daily Oil Control - SRP: Php 899, 50ml Tube

About the product.
The Proactiv Solution Daily Oil Control is a breakthrough facial lotion that eliminates shine and is designed to absorb excess oil to help give a more mattified appearance while helping the skin fight acne. This also helps the skin to remain soft, smooth and hydrated without looking or feeling greasy.

When I tried on the product, it did give me a mattified appearance. It was absorbed immediately on my skin and I'm so glad to report that it left my skin soft, smooth, and hydrated. There was no greasy feeling whatsoever. It indeed performed the task of mattifying. I used the product before I put on any makeup.

Who should use it?
The Proactiv Daily Oil Control is ideal for men and women with oily skin because it controls and balances the oil levels and gives a matte finish after using it.

At the end of the day, I did notice a difference. It was considerably less oily than before. My makeup lasted longer. I'm not saying it totally removed the oil from my skin. But it was less and it was controlled. And for that improvement I am grateful. I bet those who have oily skin and wear makeup have also difficulty in making sure that your makeup stays intact? Well the good news is with the Proactiv Daily Oil Control, your makeup won't be streaking because of your oily skin! I usually have to deal with that especially with my eye makeup. But this has helped a lot! There are other benefits of using Proactiv Daily Oil Control and you can read it below.

What are the benefits of using Proactiv Daily Oil Control?
1. It helps control oil and other impurities that may cause pores to clog.
2. It helps to add moisture to the skin without a greasy feel.
3. It helps control sebum production that can cause skin imperfections.
4. It helps prevent makeup from streaking throughout the day.

What are the Key Ingredients?
Decylene Glycol – a highly effective moisturizer and oil controller
Silicone blend – provides a moisture barrier to soften, soothe, and hydrate the skin
Nylon-12 – absorbs excess oil, and provides anti-shine properties

How does it complement the Proactiv 3 Step System?
Just a thin layer of Daily Oil Control reduces excess facial oil and balances your skin's natural oil level to get rid of shine. It also keeps makeup from streaking and helps keep pores from clogging while it hydrates skin, so it's great for your complexion. Directions: Use after Repairing Treatment. Apply a thin layer to entire face with fingertips.

Where to buy?
a. Proactiv Online Shopping: http://my.proactiv.com.ph
b. Proactiv Door-to-Door Delivery Hotlines:
Metro Manila Landline: (02) 729-2222
Globe Provincial: 1-800-8-729-8888
PLDT Provincial: 1-800-10-889-4444
Mobile No.: 0917-801-8888
c. Proactiv Mall Kiosks
Ground Floor, Glorietta 2 - Contact Number: (02) 388 2848
2nd Floor, Trinoma - Contact Number: (02) 380 3801
Ground Floor, Marquee Mall - Contact Number: 0935.834.1523

So coffeeholics, I hope with this Proactiv Solution Daily Oil Control will help me have a less oily face this 2014. Now how about you? What are your resolutions or goals for this 2014? Hope you all have a wonderful new year celebration!

Experience Proactiv's Refining Mask

Hey Coffeeholics! Its been a while. And yet despite the weeks.. my battle with acne is still ongoing. Its really "jahe" and annoying when I can't get a proper face shot because of a huge zit. Ok fine, lets make it plural.. ZITS. Ugh.

 

Yes its the black marks that you can see on my cheek. I've tried to cover it with makeup but still its visible. Its such an eyesore. I'm not sure if its because of lack of sleep, detox, or hormonal reason behind it. Nevertheless, its there and sometimes its really cramping my style yah know? So when I found out about Proactiv's Refining Mask, I got intrigued. I've tried all sorts of pimple/acne products but so far, Proactiv has been the only one with guaranteed success. So I was glad to be able to try it out for myself.

 The Proactiv Refining Mask

The Proactiv Refining Mask is a rinse-off mask that perfectly complements the Proactiv 3-step Combination Therapy System by reducing redness and inflammation associated with acne. It
comes free with every purchase of Proactiv 30-day or 60-day kit.

The Proactiv Refining Mask has a powerful concentration (6%) of antibacterial sulfur - a proven acne-fighting ingredient; its vitamin-enriched formula helps give you a brighter, younger looking complexion. It refines texture and tone of skin and pores appear smaller.

 The Proactiv Refining Mask Key Ingredients:
1. Vitamin E
2. Vitamin F Complex
3. Tea Tree Oil
4. Geranium & Lemongrass

It also contains Kaolin clay which helps absorb excess oil. It has Vitamin E, a potent antioxidant that protects skin from free radicals and soothes and nourishes the skin. It has Vitamin F Complex to help retain skin moisture. The tea tree oil in this mask provides antiseptic and cleansing properties, while the geranium and lemongrass extracts provide overall skin conditioning.

So if you have been using the Proactiv Combination Therapy, this Proactiv Refining Mask would definitely be the perfect complement for deep cleansing and to help minimize the pores. Who doesn't want to have supple looking skin and reduced appearance of pores besides me? I want smaller looking pores and I wanna say goodbye to skin breakouts. The advanced microcrystal benzoyl peroxide in the Proactiv® 3-Step System kill acne-causing bacteria while the glycolic acid and other exfoliants reduce excess oils and dead skin cells. Then the Proactiv Refining Mask deals with the inflammation where it reaches deep into pores to help reduce the redness and the swelling associated with a breakout. (YAY!) It clears away the small impurities that are still sticking on the skin pores after doing the three steps.

 

So of course with all these wonders mentioned, I just had to try it. All the instructions on how to use it are on the labels on the box and tube packaging itself. It is very easy to integrate the Refining Mask in the Proactiv® 3-Step System. Here's what I did.

Step 1: First, cleanse face with Renewing Cleanser. 

As you can see, to make cleaning faster and better, clear your face from any stray hair by wearing a wide hair band. Or for some just tying your hair will do. It will make cleaning so much easier and faster. I washed my face with warm water as well. 

Proactiv Refining Mask

Step 2: Apply Refining Mask to dampened skin. 

Ok here's the deal. According to Proactiv, you may use the Proactiv Refining Mask on your whole face or on acne affected areas only. Since the Proactiv Refining Mask is recommended to be incorporated with the Proactiv® 3- Step System, it is advisable that you apply it on your whole face EVERY DAY only during the first week. Then afterwards, you can use it 3 times a week for maintenance.

This was taken when I just applied the still wet Proactiv Refining Mask on my damp skin.
As you can see, the product that I applied was a bit thick. 

If you read the label, it advises you to just apply the Proactiv Refining Mask on the areas with acne. I've tried using it on the whole face. But mostly I've been using it on affected areas only as seen above. I've been using the Proactiv Refining Mask as a spot treatment and only for 2-3 times a week. Please take note that when you apply it on your face, you can really smell the sulfur (I sneezed a couple of times) and as it dries on your face you can feel this tingly sensation. 

AFTER 10 MINUTES:
The Proactiv Refining Mask drys up and leaves a chalky like coating on the areas applied.

Step 3: Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse with water.

 After Step 1 and 2,  leave it on for 10 minutes, then rinse off with warm water. 

WARNING: Excessive usage such as leaving it on for more than 10 minutes is not recommended as some people may experience hypersensitivity to sulfur.

Step 4: Follow with the Revitalizing Toner and Repairing Treatment.

After washing off the product from your face, you will definitely feel that your pores have tightened and the skin is now more soft and supple! You can say goodbye to oily pimply skin.

With constant use of the Proactiv Refining Mask after the Renewing Cleanser, you should see a progressive improvement in your acne and a reduction in facial redness due to the antibacterial properties of the sulfur, the drying action of the kaolin clay, and the skin - soothing formula.

The sulfur in the Refining Mask is an important ingredient in Proactiv® Combination Therapy® because it helps reduce the tender redness associated with a breakout. Sulfur is also a mild, natural antibacterial and a keratolyic agent which helps reduce acne bacteria and unblock clogged pores. The white kaolin clay also present in the Refining Mask, helps absorb excess oils, improves the look of pores and creates a smoother, more matte and calmer complexion.

The Proactiv Refining Mask can be your solution to the Zit Wars! When I used it, my pimples dried up. Yay!

Here are some other important things you should know:

1. Have a big pimple and you need to an important event that week? Or did you just had another breakout? Well, you can use the Refining Mask nightly for a week just like you did for the first time you used it. 

2. Make the Refing Mask Treatment as STEP 4. Use it as a LEAVE-ON Spot Treatment to the problem pimple OVERNIGHT. You will see a big difference on the following morning.

3. The Proactiv Refining Mask is scientifically proven and has been used by millions of customers
worldwide, including athletes, superstars, and ordinary people. Its ingredients are carefully
developed to complement the Proactiv 3-step system.

4. It is convenient and easy to use. It can be easily applied and rinsed off with water while other masks can be sticky during application, can be time-consuming and can be very messy. It also effectively reaches all parts of the skin and penetrates pores unlike traditional facial sheets.

 

5. It is economical. It comes FREE with any Proactiv 30-day or 60-day kit, and one tube can last for a month. It can be used as your regular mask, and doubles as an emergency blemish treatment too!

So what are you waiting for Coffeeholics? Its time to take action and say goodbye to acne. Get this Proactiv Refining Mask for FREE as you purchase the Proactiv 30-day or 60-day pack. Visit http://my.proactiv.com.ph today!