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.

Proactiv Renewing Cleanser Product Review

Having beautiful, clear, and acne free skin is a wish any girl would have. Well, I've been wishing for that ever since I hit my teens. Now that I'm in my early 30's (huhu yes birthday coming up in several days from now... :P) I had kind of hoped that I will eventually get over the acne dilemma. Ever since last year, I learned so much from Proactiv and realized that the acne doesn't all go away. BUT you can control it with the help of Proactiv. So I was pretty much excited that I was able to personally try out and test their amazing product -- the Proactiv Renewing Cleanser! 

So if you haven't heard about Proactiv yet, well THIS is supposed to be the answer to your acne woes! The Proactiv Renewing Cleanser is an oil free, soap free medicated formula contains advanced micro crystal benzoyl peroxide in combination with mild cleanser that lightly washes the skin. Tiny beads gently exfoliate dead cells and impurities so they can’t clog pores. The benzoyl peroxide penetrates the pores fast while being gentle to the skin. It attacks, kill acne-causing bacteria and reduce the number of acne pimples.

Key Ingredients

Benzoyl Peroxide This is the key anti bacterial agent to fight  acne. The 2.5% concentration is just effective as 10% solutions in controlling the majority of acne cases and much gentler to your skin. This low concentration gives it the acne-fighting benefit of even higher concentrations, but not the side-effects!

Other Ingredients Include

• Sodium Hyaluronate. This mucopolysaccharides act as humectant to draw moisture to skin. Mucopolysaccharides are gel like substances surrounding the collagen and elastin in the dermis layer of the skin. 
• Polyethylene. These small round beads have no sharp edges that can tear and scratch the skin while they gently remove old, dead cells. 
• Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract. A botanical extract known for its soothing properties.

  

I couldn't wait to try out the Proactiv Renewing Cleanser. Of course before anything else, you must know how to use it. Here are the directions.  

1. Use morning and night. Yes like any cleanser, you can use it twice a day. So clean face before you sleep and clean face before you face a brand new day. :)

2. Now as part of my routine, I normally remove my makeup first before using a cleanser. :) Now if you don't use makeup or if you are going to wash your face in the morning, you can skip this step. 

 

I just came from a long day of work and commute. So I've got my makeup on on the LEFT photo there. Yes, it kinda smeared.. coz of the oiliness of my face and well commuting in the heat of the afternoon didn't help either, So the RIGHT photo is after I had used my makeup remover. On the surface it does look a bit clean (less shine on my face) but you and I know that that's not the complete story. It still needs a thorough cleaning so that acne will not populate my face. hehe. 

3. Then apply a small (dime-sized) amount to damp skin and gently massage for 1 to 2 minutes.

So basically that's how much I use on my face. Yes it doesn't look a lot but I tell you, it packs a punch! I mean, it's definite enough for it to make it's magic on my face. While applying the product to your face, DO NOT EXPECT FOAM OR BUBBLES. Yes, don't look for it coz it's not gonna happen. The Proactiv Renewal Cleanser doesn't work like that. And later on this post, I will explain why that's a good thing. 

Here's a tip someone taught me on how to wash my face -- don't use your point fingers. When you wash your face, be GENTLE. And you can achieve that gentle washing by using your last three fingers. Di masyadong madiin ang dating pag ganun. Then what I do is just use upward circular strokes while massaging the Proactiv Renewal Cleanser on my face. This kind of motion helps maintain the firmness of your face. Downward direction will only help in the sagging of your cheeks.. now we don't want that to happen diba? :)

After a minute of massaging, you can definitely feel your face reacting the product. Don't be alarmed. In my case, I could feel a slight tightening on my face. I figured that means.. it's working. YAY!

4. Then of course, rinse thoroughly with warm water. 

5. And finally, pat dry

**Please take note that if bothersome dryness or peeling occurs, reduce application to once a day or every other day. And of course, if going outside use a sunscreen

For me, one of the immediate results that I can sense from the Proactiv Renewal Cleanser is my amazingly super smooth face. YES! I swear my face becomes softer and smoother as compared before any other face cleansing product that I've used. I've never felt this level of smoothness to my face IMMEDIATELY after the cleansing. Kaya pala medyo rough or magaspang yung face ko before is because of dead skin cells. When I look at the mirror, I feel it lightened. (hehe or feeling magaan ang face kasi no more oil.. no more dead skin cells). Now it's all clear!

Well it looks like that indeed, Proactiv Renewing Cleanser is superior than regular cleanser or 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. That's why ang advise ko, gentle upward circular strokes! Cleansing and scrubbing only reduce surface oils and dean skin cells. Many people use harsh products, laden with alcohol and foamy surfactants (detergents) somehow wash the acne off their skin. However, these actions produce irritation and worsen acne. Now with Proactiv Rewnewing Cleanser, it is possible to gently unplug pores with fine polyethylene beads that gently relieve impacted pores without irritation

Look Ma, no pimples! hehe. Yep, the dark spots are just dark or red spots of where I used to have pimples. As of three days of using, no pimples have surfaced. Hopefully, this will be the good report I will be sharing as I continue using the product. 

One thing that I really appreciate about the Proactiv Renewing Cleanser is that it does not contain any surfactants that can harsh the skin. 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 barrier becomes damaged and vulnerable to irritation and impaction. That's why when you use the cleanser, you won't see any suds or foam. While massaging it gently on your face, you will feel tiny tiny beads (the Polyethylene) rolling on the surface of your skin. It's not harsh but gentle. If you have heavy acne, then that means less irritation to your skin. :)

So to sum it up, what is the role of Renewing Cleanser in Proactiv Combination Therapy? The Renewing Cleanser help removes dead skin cells and impurities which can clog the pore. 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. If this just Step 1 to an acne free skin, imagine how much more effective the whole Proactiv Combination Therapy will be to you. I've been using the cleanser for several days already and can feel the results. So far no pimples have surfaced. YAY! I've tried it.. and loved it! I really really recommend this to you if you have acne. Hope you will also feel and enjoy an acne free summer (yes yung weather na natin ay parang summer na! hehe). 

The Proactiv Renewing Cleanser is included in the Proactiv Solution 30-day and 60-day kits. 

Proactiv Solution kits are available at: 

a. Proactiv Online Shopping: http://my.proactiv.com.ph 

b. Proactiv Delivery Door–to-Door Hotlines:

c. Proactiv Mall Kiosks

d. Watson and SM Department Stores (Beauty Section) nationwide

Metro Manila Landline: (02) 729-2222

Globe Provincial: 1-800-8-729-8888

PLDT Provincial: 1-800-10-889-4444

Mobile Number: 0917-801-888

Glorietta, Ground Floor

Trinoma, 2nd Floor

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!

Be Stress-free and Acne-free this Christmas with Proactiv

Christmas season can be a very stressful time of the year. It’s the time of year when we usually experience a lot of good stress like the excitement brought about by Christmas shopping and family reunions. But we can also experience bad stress such as Christmas rush traffic and year-end business activities. Regardless if good or bad, stress may aggravate acne.

Photo credit - Proactiv Facebook

I've had my fair share of stress and the aggravating acne that comes with it. The increased levels of stress stimulate the body's production of various hormones and trigger different changes in the skin. Sometimes it causes the skin oils to become more viscous making you more acne prone. Stress also reduces your body’s natural immune defense and your skin doesn’t fight off bacteria build-up as well. When these happen, we become more prone to breakouts. Acne begins when oil collects at the base of the hair follicle and becomes trapped by dead skin cells. Bacteria flourish, form a plug and swell beneath the skin. Stress can make acne worse, causing more anxiety, and creating a vicious cycle.

Photo credit - Proactiv Facebook

I for one has been a bit stressed these past few days.Last week was the "last" week in school for the year 2014. Of course we were all happy but still stressed out with all the practices the students had to do to give their wonderful Christmas presentations for their parents and families to see. Trying to squeeze in some Christmas shopping was also a bit stressful.. whew especially with the TRAFFIC oh diba? To top it off, one of my closest cousin just got married last Saturday, and being one of her bridesmaid was fun but I couldn't help but feel a bit stressed with all the wedding preparations and other bridesmaid duties. But the good news is.. I SURVIVED. I had to.. despite all the puyat and pagod. That's because I made sure that despite all that stress.. I had to find a way to "de-stress" coz bawal din ako ma-stress sabi ng doctor ko (more on that on another post).

Here are some of my favorite ways to de-stress

1. Pamper your feet with a foot spa!

Imagine relaxing your feet in that warm bubbly water. :)

2. Have a mani pedi and relax at your favorite nail salon.

3. Have a MASSAGE (my most favorite way to relax!!!)

FYI I did 1-3 the night before my cousin's wedding

hehe.. that's me and my sis relaxing.. syempre the bride had a massage first 

while we had our nails done. 

4. Snuggle in bed and read a book.

5. Or better yet, Use Proactiv Solution Combination Therapy to prevent acne before they begin.

It's better to start early and prevent acne to become more aggravated right? This can be done with the Proactiv Combination Therapy System. It is a 3-Step System that work together to cleanse your skin, fight the blemishes, help stop new one from forming, and gently heal damaged skin.

Photo credit - Proactiv Facebook

Step 1: Renewing Cleanser
This medicated Renewing Cleanser is made with exclusive micro-crystal benzoyl peroxide – featuring smaller, finer particles designed to quickly penetrate pores to start killing acne-causing bacteria on contact. Tiny exfoliating beads gently remove dirt, excess oil and dead skin cells to help keep pores from clogging.

Step 2: Revitalizing Toner
This refreshing, alcohol-free toner helps remove impurities and excess oil so your skin looks and feels clean, soft and refreshed – not tight and dried out. Soothing botanical agents gently balance your skin tone.

Step 3: Repairing Treatment
The repairing acne treatment is a feather-light medicated treatment that gets deep into clogged pores faster but is designed to be gentler on the skin. It’s an oil-free formula that’s safe for your entire face.

Bonus: Refining Mask
Our rich, deep cleansing mask uses sulfur, a proven acne blemishfighting ingredient that reaches deep into the pores, heals existing blemishes, pampers inflamed skin, and softens and refines the skin’stexture.

So this Christmas, have a stress-free and acne-free face by using the Proactiv Solution Combination Therapy. Gift it to yourself or to your loved one this Christmas! Don't forget to take advantage of the ongoing Proactiv promo which is  The Proactiv 60-Day Limited Edition Pack with FREE Proactiv Advanced Daily Oil Control 50ml which is available at Watsons and SM Department stores (Beauty Section) nationwide. Also, don't forget that you can order your own Proactiv Set ONLINE.. just click this link here.

Have a Merry Stress Free Christmas! :)

Product Review - Proactiv Advanced Daily Oil Control

Hey Coffeeholics! Yes its that time again to share to you my latest update about my war against Acne. Unfortunately this last month has put a toll on me and my skin. Lack of sleep and stress at work (a teacher's work at the end of the quarter is NOT easy.. aka report cards) has taken its toll on my face. But the good news is, Proactiv sent me something to try out -- the Proactiv Advanced Daily Oil Control.

But before I share more on that, let me tell you the other half of the good news that Proactiv has for us. They have a promo right now which started last July 15 and will end this December 31, 2014.
The promo is that whenever you buy the Proactive 60-Day Kit Limited Edition pack, you get an an upsized Refining Mask (from 1oz to 2.5oz) and a FREE Proactiv Advanced Daily Oil Control at 50ml all for the same price of Php 3,995 only.

What is the Proactiv 60-Day Limited Edition Pack?
The Proactiv 60-Day Kit Limited Edition pack is complete set of Proactiv 60-day supply,
with an upsized Refining Mask (from 1oz to 2.5oz) and Free Proactiv Advanced Daily Oil
Control 50ml - all for the same price of Php 3,995 only.

Contents:
Proactiv Renewing Cleanser 120ml (inside the box)
Proactiv Revitalizing Toner 120ml (inside the box)
Proactiv Repairing Treatment 60ml (inside the box)
Proactiv Refining Mask – upsized from 1oz to 2.5oz (inside the box)
Proactiv Advanced Daily Oil Control (shrink-wrapped with the box)

This promo pack is exclusively available at Watsons and SM Department Stores (Beauty
Section) nationwide. These special packs are specially marked with a red sticker on the upper
rightmost corner of the box. Make sure to ask for it as items on display at Watsons or SM
may be non-promo packs or dummy boxes only.

So I guess you're probably wondering what's the big deal with the Free Proactiv Advanced Daily Oil Control (50ml). Well according to Proactiv, the Proactiv Advanced Daily Oil Control is designed to absorb excess oil to help give a more mattified appearance while helping to assist the skin in the fight against acne. This lightweight, oil-free moisturizer helps the skin to remain soft, smooth and hydrated without looking or feeling greasy, giving way to a more satiny, flawless looking complexion. It helps control excess oil throughout the day to keep skin from shining and makeup from streaking, and gently balances the skin while keeping your skin hydrated and healthy looking.

How to use the Proactiv Advanced Daily Oil Control: 
1. Apply daily or as needed onto clean skin.
2. Use fingertips to gently apply a thin layer to the entire face.
3. Allow to dry completely.
4. For best results, use after Repairing Treatment.

 

So of course, since I've been dealing with my oily face like forever -- I really was thrilled to try out the Proactiv Advanced Daily Oil Control. Finding the right moisturizer for my oily face is tough as it is already. The only apprehensions that I have with "Oil Control" moisturizers was that it would dry out my face. The directions on the back of the product mentioned to cover the entire affected area with a thin layer one to three times a day. With this in mind, I decided to test the product not on my whole face but to my oily zone which was the upper lip and chin area. Most of the oily face issue I have is on that area and my forehead. But the acne warzone was basically the mouth area and I wanted to target that. Also for the first time to test it, I decided to try it out at night. Since you can actually apply the product three times a day, I wanted to see how it worked at night (yes.. even at night guys.. my oily issues does not go away!) and later on try it on during the day with makeup on. So the following photo was 2 hours after I washed my face and put some of the Proactiv Advanced Daily Oil Control on my face.

Makeup free face with some of the Advanced Daily Oil Control
applied on my upper lip and chin area (aka zit zone)
Yes, its not shiny unlike my cheeks which
DID NOT HAVE any of the Proactiv Advanced Daily Oil Control. 

I also tried the product for several days, and it does its work. I tried up to 2 times a day application and I even noticed that some of my pimples dry up faster (many thanks to the salicylic acid acne treatment). If you have a lot of acne and don't wear makeup, but want to avoid having a shiny face -- then this product is definitely for you! If you wear makeup, don't worry. It doesn't dry up the skin (it targets the acne only believe me) and it makes your makeup last a bit longer because of the less oil buildup. :) Yay! So definitely, this is a great product to have with your Proactiv 60-day Product Kit.
Using the Proactiv Advanced Daily Oil Control is now part of my skincare and makeup routine. Hope you all coffeeholics and beauty lovers get to try out this and Proactiv as well. :)

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.

Clear-Skin Summer with Proactiv 15 Day Maintenance Kit

Its the last day of March already! Yes finally, classes are over. Its time to officially say hello to summer with -- what else but a super fun vacation! Can you feel the heat? Whew! Honestly, the sweltering heat is driving me nuts. I can't make up my mind if I should go to somewhere near water (hello beach! hello swimming pool!) or go up up and savor the cool breeze of the mountains (hello Baguio! Flower festival! Here we come!). And I bet you too are making lots of plans this coming April especially the Holy Week where almost everyone either goes back to their respective provinces or to the choice summer destinations in the country. But whatever you choose, one thing is common. We all might end up traveling these next few months. My question is -- are you geared up to have clear-skin ready for summer break?

If you are a frequent traveler, than you know how difficult it is to travel light. Usually the big bulky stuff you end up lugging around with you is your toiletries. Yep that's me! I spend some time convincing myself that I don't need to bring with me my whole morning ritual preparation items. I know there are a lot of cool advices on how to pack and organize things so that you may bring only the essentials. But what about skin care items? I really do not like transferring them to "smaller travel sized containers". It is convenient yes but I feel like the quality and cleanliness of the product is compromised and ends up unhygienic. And if you have spent like how many thousand pesos on that -- all the more frustrating right? So whenever I end up traveling, I end up bringing the big bottles which makes traveling a bit more difficult than it should be. But there should be no worries now for all Proactiv users because Proactiv has made life easier for you and me especially this summer with the new Proactiv 15-Day Maintenance Kit that is now available in the Philippines!

Proactiv 15 Day Maintenance Kit is perfect for travel! First of all it's compact and easy to carry. The kit includes the complete 3-Step System-Renewing Cleanser, Revitalizing Toner and Repairing Treatment-in three 1-oz. take-aboard bottles. Oh and get this, it even comes with a Free Refining Mask! The snap-close pouch is 3.75 x 4.25 x 1.25 inches and fits easily into a backpack, purse or gym bag. This is definitely a boon for those always on the go. The kit makes it easy to maintain your acne-treatment regimen. So yay! No more lugging around huge bottles for your acne treatment! Really though, its definitely a good thing that Proactiv made these smaller sized containers. Coz even if its summer or even if you are traveling, you cannot also have a "vacation" on your skin care regimen if you want to have an acne-free vacation!

Don't forget how Proactiv works on your skin! It intervenes the process of acne-formation therefore resulting to the treatment of your existing blemishes, and at the same time giving you the protection of preventing future pimples from ever appearing again. From the moment you are born, your skin begins a lifelong process of shedding dead cells and producing oil. This process can be disrupted by your hormone balance, which throughout your life. The acne cycle is initiated when excess oil and dead skin cells combine to plug the pore of a hair follicle; behind the plugged pore, bacteria grow and multiply, triggering inflammation and swelling. That’s an acne blemish.

Proactiv intervenes in this process by:
1. Killing the acne-causing bacteria
2. Reducing swelling and redness of existing pimples
3. Preventing pores from being clogged
4. Removing dead skin cells thru mild exfoliation
5. Removing excess oils

And you definitely want Proactiv to keep on working hard to maintain your clear skin during your summer vacation. I mean hello?! Who doesn't want a pimple-free instagram worthy summer vacay photo right? And so you definitely need to use the Proactiv® System every day, twice a day,  as it is critical to maintain that clear skin. The Proactiv 15-Day Maintenance Kit has everything you need to maintain your regimen, no matter where you are. The handy carrying pouch includes convenient 1-ounce bottles (approved for airport security) of your complete 3-Step System: Renewing Cleanser, Revitalizing Toner, and Repairing Treatment. The Proactiv Solution 15-Day Maintenance kit is Php 1,650 ONLY-- available at selected Watsons and SM Department stores nationwide.

All "summer" photos are courtesy from @travelmerchant16 :) Many thanks!

So yep coffeeholics, this summer have lots and lots of fun under the sun and maintain that healthy clear skin. Don't forget to take Proactiv with you wherever you go by using the Proactiv 15-Day Maintenance kit!

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 Philippines Promo - Win Avril Lavigne's Concert Patron Tickets!

Hey Hey You You... Coffeeholics! Ok so yeah na LSS ako.. hehe. I was on youtube and watching some of Avril's memorable songs. For some reason "Girlfriend" and "Sk8ter Boi" were the ones I could only remember! haha. Would you believe I just listened to her song "Wish You Were Here" and I really liked it a lot! Well if you want to listen to her sing in person, don't miss out this awesome Proactiv Promo where you can win Patron Tickets to Avril Lavigne's Concert on February 17, 2014, in Smart Araneta Coliseum!

Buy Proactiv Kit Now and Get a chance to Win Patron Tickets to Avril Lavigne’s Concert! per DOH–FDA CDRR Promo Permit No. 221 series of 2013

Joining is easy breezy especially if you are a regular customer of Proactiv! Well actually, whether you are a regular customer or a new one, you get a chance to join the electronic raffle for the “Buy Proactiv Kit Now and Get a chance to Win Patron Tickets to Avril Lavigne’s Concert!” per DOH–FDA CDRR Promo Permit No. 221 series of 2013. All you have to do is just purchase a Proactiv 30-day or 60-day kit from participating outlets within the promo purchase period which is from December 5, 2013 to February 4, 2014!  

 

How to Join:

1. Buy a Proactiv Solution 30-day kit (Php 2,495) or 60-day (Php 3,995) kit from any of the participating outlets within promo period. Purchase of 30-day kit is equivalent to 1 raffle entry, while purchase of 60-day kit is equivalent to 2 raffle entries.

2.  For customers ordering from my.proactiv.com.ph, there is no special instruction or forms to be filled out. The system automatically tags eligible customers and the Account Name will be used as official entry. The promo can be viewed at: http://my.proactiv.com.ph/win-patron-tickets-avril-lavigne-concert.htm#.UrJKN9IW1EI

3. For customers ordering via phone hotlines, our Customer Service Representatives shall automatically tag all eligible customers and your Account Name in our database will be used as official entry.

4. For customers ordering from Proactiv Mall Kiosks our friendly Sales Personnel will assist you and help you fill-out Official Raffle Entry Forms available on site.

Terms and Conditions:

1. Purchases outside the promo period or from non-participating outlets are not eligible to join the raffle.

2. If a customer avails of the Proactiv Money back Guarantee that comes with every Proactiv 30-day or 60-day kit, this forfeits the subsequent activation of the raffle entry. If the customer won and subsequently availed of the Money Back Guarantee after claiming the prize, the actual cost of ticket will be deducted to the refund value. 

Participating Outlets:

   1. Proactiv Online Shopping Site: http://my.proactiv.com.ph

   2. Proactiv Door-to-Door Delivery Phone Hotlines: 

       (729-2222, 1-800-8-729-8888, 1-800-10-    889-4444, 0917-801-8888)

   3. Proactiv Mall Kiosks:

        a. Trinoma, 2nd Floor (Telephone: 380-3801)

        b. Glorietta, Ground Floor (Telephone 388-2848)

        c. Marquee Mall, Ground Floor (Telephone: 0935-8341523)

Check out these PRIZES:

One (1) Grand Prize Winner of 2 Patron Tickets worth Php 5, 885 each

One (1) Winner of 2 Lower Box B Tickets worth Php4,825each                

Three (3) Winners of 2 Upper Box B Tickets worth Php1,645 each         

Please take note of the Raffle Date:  February 6, 2014

(Winners will be contacted directly with instructions on how to claim the prize)

So Coffeeholics, if take advantage of this promo while you still can! :) Grab this chance that you can watch Avril Lavigne LIVE this Feb 17. :)

*Please take note that these prizes will be directly purchased from Tickenet, the official ticketing agent of the event. Proactiv Solution is not a sponsor of the said event and is not endorsing the event. Concert organizers are not connected to Proactiv Solution. 

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!