How do Proactiv and Neutrogena Acne Treatment Systems Compare?

The Neutrogena Complete Acne Therapy System and the Proactiv 3- Step System contain the following products:

Both Proactiv and Neutrogena companies declare that acne is a genetic and hormonal condition often exacerbated by stress. From my personal experience I will definitely say that hormonal changes at the onset of menstruation do increase acne break outs. I will also concur with Proactiv and Neutrogena on the genetic correlation as well, since almost everyone on my mother’s side of the family has flawless skin, and my paternal grandfather and his offspring all have acne- prone skin.

I have had a moderate degree of acne since the onset of my teenage years. I have been to many dermatologists, have tried many products; and then I discovered Proactiv! I never thought my skin could be close to my pre- teenage days again. During the first week of using Proativ I recall having a provoked breakout, and extremely dry skin. Many articles that I read stated that the breakout was normal as the treatment starts off by extracting all of the oil and bacteria from your skin to its surface. For the dry skin, reviews stated that I should decrease the amount of Proactiv Revitalizing Toner which I did. In a nutshell, Proactiv worked out well. After about two years of everyday use, I decreased my Proactiv usage from daily, to every other day, to once a week, to not at all.

For about three years after I stopped using Proactiv my skin was very clear. However, a few months ago I started getting some breakouts again. I was about to stock up my Proactiv supplies once more, when a friend of mine suggested using the Neutrogena Complete Acne Therapy System. I have been using it for about five months now. During my use of this system, I experienced the same initial skin dryness and breakout at the Proactiv system. There is no toner in the Neutrogena treatment system, yet the cleanser and the acne control lotion seem to have drying properties.

Generally, the Neutrogena products are different in consistency from the Proactiv products. What I can say however, is that after five months of use, the results for me have been the same as Proactiv- my skin is clearer and the breakouts have subsided. What I like about the Neutrogena System is that it comes with an oil free lotion that soothes the skin when it becomes too dry. While using the Proactiv system I had to purchase a separate lotion to soothe my skin when it became overly dry.

Below, I have compiled a table of some of the similarities and differences I have noticed between the Neutrogena Complete Acne Therapy system and the Proactiv 3-Step system.

I will conclude by saying that from my experience, both the Proactiv 3- Step System and the Neutrogena Complete Acne Therapy System have done wonders for my acne. What’s the huge difference? The price! The Proactiv system is about twice the price of the Neutrogena system.

It is unfortunate that these products do not work for everyone- having acne can really take a toll of one’s self esteem. I think there is a product out there for everyone though; I had to go through several products myself before trying Proactiv. If neither of these products work for you, do not give up on finding something that does. When you do find a product that works, it will be well worth your time and effort. Good luck!