Day 5: I'm caught up now!

Finally I'm all caught up on my posts. No one even reads these though...just me because I like to track my progress. Now that I'm about 5 days into the system, I'm seeing preliminary results. Nothing drastic, but my face feels pretty good. Actually, that's a lie.

I feel like my face is getting rid of whatever was there or getting ready to be there because random individual breakouts have been popping up... it's a bit frustrating, but I know they'll go away soon and in 2-3 weeks time, I should have no new breakouts. I hope that's the case!

I feel better with a naked face (but only at night-time around my dorm)...but even that says something. Today, I left out a step in my makeup routine because I felt like I didn't need it! That's good! In two days, it will have been a week and to say that I have results after a week would be amazing. That also says a lot about the product --- Proactiv Solution works!

My face is a little bit itchy (from the dryness) but that's okay. I'm continuing to use those moisturizers to help with that. I may stay away from the Refining Mask for a couple days, too. Even though that thing works wonders. I go home for Easter in less than two weeks and it would be really great to have better skin than I did last year. I hated the pictures I was in from Easter weekend last year because of my breakouts. I hope that... NO! I know that is not going to be the case this year :)

Day 5 Pictures:

Day 4: Sorry I skipped Day 3 :/

I was so extremely tired on Day 3 that I forgot to take photos. Sorry! Nothing note worthy anyway, ha! So I'm on Day 4 now and I must say I am understanding the "drying effect" now. I guess that's what the product is supposed to be doing though in essence...drying the dirties out. But! It's okay! I have the Green Tea Moisturizer...and that works well! Also, I use Clean & Clear Dual Action Moisturizer when I don't want to use up the Green Tea Moisturizer. I wish they had given me more than a small sampling of that stuff --- it's legit! The Dual Action Moisturizer is pretty neat because it moisturizes dry skin AND helps treat and prevent pimples. That's the goal, haha!

Umm, I don't really have that much to write about today but I do want to tell you about something. As I was putting on my makeup this morning, I felt like I didn't have to use as much to cover my face up. But, I still used it because I feel like I have to. Maybe tomorrow I'll try less and see how I feel. I might feel naked... Anyway, here's some pictures for today. HOWEVER, this is a disclaimer: I am wearing makeup in the picture so it doesn't look as bad as my other pictures. That was stupid of me but I wanted to take the pictures before I forgot.

Day 4 Pictures:

Day 2: That felt good.

I know I am not posting during Day 2...I got really behind due to my school work. Erg!

Ok, so I've used Proactiv Solution now for two nights and two days and it feels good! I know that it won't start working right away, especially since breakouts form deep down and take 2-3 weeks to surface (says the handy book that comes with the kit). I may not be seeing results yet, but I'm feeling them. My face felt cleaner when I woke up which was encouraging. I'm trying to keep a really positive outlook because I think that always helps when doing anything.

So let me tell you a little bit about how I've used the products so far. I start with Step 1: Cleanser. I use about a larg pea size amount of this and massage it into my face for a few minutes to make sure it gets all in there. It feels a little bit gritty which kind of reminded me of a scrub, which makes me feel super clean. Then Step 2: Toner. This is alcohol-free so it doesn't sting as much as astringent does (which it looks like too). I put this on a cotton square and rub it all over my face and let it dry. Step 3: Repairing Lotion. I think this is where all the medicine magic stuff is. I use another large pea size amount of this and rub it into my face evenly. In the night-time, I use the Refining Mask as a spot treatment for trouble areas. This smells pretty bad, but probably since the main ingredient is SULFUR! Ew! It works really well though. I noticed a decrease in inflammation the next morning definitely. The process recommends that you use the Refining Mask as a full mask 2-3 times a week as well, which I'm going to try tonight. I'll do that in between Steps 2 and 3 so I don't have to rinse off the Repairing Lotion. In the morning after the 3 steps, I use a little bit of the Green Tea Moisturizer.

It's still really early, but I'm hoping I'm making some progress. I want nothing more than to not feel like I need to cover up my face with makeup. I love makeup, but there's a difference between loving eyeshadows, blushes, mascaras... and loving foundation and concealer. Especially with summer coming up where I'll spend days by the pool and the beach, I don't want to be burdened with breakouts I can't cover up. Please Proactive, please, oh please work! Thank you :)

Day 2 Pictures:

Day 1: It's here!!!

Today I got the New Proactiv Solution in the mail! I was given the old Proactiv Solution a few years back, but was very hesitant to use it, especially since I had been using a prescribed topical cream called Duac at the time. It is typically advised that you only use one product at a time to prevent over treatment. Up until now, I have tried almost everything thinkable. From over the counter creams, to presciption creams, to odd home remedies...nothing ever worked. Sure I got temporary relief, but nothing worth getting excited over.

I got my first pimple when I was probably about 12 years old; right around when I hit puberty. Duh, right? By the time I was 14, I was suffering from breakouts on my face (my forehead and around my mouth) as well as my chest and back. After a while, I just learned to deal with it because it seemed to be getting a little bit better. But then I went to college... wake up call! My breakouts were never this bad EVER! I started feeling really self conscious and dirty...even though I was not "dirty." In fact, most of my breakouts are related to hormones, not a dirty face or a greasy diet. I do have to admit, however, that I am a culprit for constantly touching my face or resting my face on my hands. So, in addition to trying Proactiv Solution, I am making a conscious effort to not touch my face! So the journey begins...

Day 1 Pictures:

*** My forehead is a common breakout area from between my eyebrows to my temples.***

***My chin is also a big breakout area. Actually, all around my mouth is. I feel like these just never completely go away :( ***

***My chest hasn't broken out this bad since I was in middle school! It's really gross!***