Proactive versus Murad Acne Complex
Sales of over the counter acne preparations exceed $100 million annually. Hundreds of millions more are spent on prescription treatments. Acne is a non-life-threatening disease, but nonetheless a disease that takes a psychological toll on it’s victims. 85% of the population between 12 and 25 are plagued with mild to moderate acne. With over 350,000 US residents seeking professional treatment for acne, it’s no wonder it’s turned into an infomercial driven business.
What causes acne? In brief:
1. Hormones
2. P Acnes Bacteria
3. Excess Sebum (oil) production
4. Hyperkeratinization (build up of dead skin)
For more information about acne click here.
Other causes can be anabolic steroid use and medications. While it’s difficult to control hormones (certain birth control pills seem to help some women), some of the other factors causing acne can be controlled. So in short, to relieve acne, a product must do the following:
1. Kill Bacteria
2. Control Oil production
3. Control Inflammation
4. Exfoliate dead skin cells
Enter the infomercial wars. Proactive versus Murad Acne Complex. Many opt for the quick fix. Step in Proactive. A 3 step program that relies heavily on 2.5% benzoyl peroxide as an antibacterial ingredient. However, many users are not familiar with the negative side effects of using a benzoyl peroxide product. This has been so much so that Murad even has an ad that stating “Proactive did NOT clear their skin?. Many have voiced their complaints online about their experience with Proactive and Murad.
So what is the difference between Murad Acne Complex and Proactive? Murad does not use Benzoyl Peroxide, but does contain glycolic acid (exfoliating agent) as does Proactive. Murad also contains salicylic acid (antibacterial) and retinol (exfoliants).
Has Proactive worked for you? Or are you a Murad believer? Which brand if any has helped with your acne?
acne, proactive, murad acne complex, skin care, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, pimples, breakouts, clear skin
January 9th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
This company is terrible to deal with-I have tried to cancel as the PRODUCT DOES NOT WORK and they keep sending replacement kits. Then, when I call, Customer Service refuses to pay return shipping!!! DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT- it is
January 9th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Which company do you have the problem with? Murad or Proactive?
April 9th, 2007 at 12:24 am
I use proactive. I have been using it for about a year an a half. When I don’t use it I break out. I am very satisfied with the results. Everyone has different skin and some should probably start with a dermatologist.
April 21st, 2007 at 7:13 pm
Hello all, i know this is a little off the topic but i am a photoshop artist and i bumped into this page while googling “acne” because i wanted to create a tutorial for people who want to learn how to manipulate their pictures.
Anyway, here is the before and after of the picture that brought me to this page.
http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/7742/bfafpw1.png
Feel free to visit my youtube page and contact me through there if you need some tutorials or need my services
Thanks
April 26th, 2007 at 11:36 am
I have always been a firm believer in Murad products, I have spent hundreds of dollars on their Acne clarifying products as well as their other stuff as pomegranate ex foliating cleanser to their cellulite supplements.
I’ve used both Dermalogica and Murad products, and I can say that Murad is a stronger product. In which people who are allergic to salilcyc acid should definetly stear clear of. The retinol is part of the feature Anti Aging. So that is definite benefit. On the other hand my sister heavily relies on pro-activ and says she will never touch murad again. SHe has much more oily skin than I. SO it really depends on people’s skin types.
I’ve never used pro activ because I tend to think that it makes people’s skin look leathery and older. My sister is 24, 4 years older than I and her skin with no makeup on is really leathery, but she doesn’t notice it. SO… that’s my two cents.
September 2nd, 2007 at 9:48 pm
I found proactiv when used as directed to be way to drying and harsh - and I have very oily skin. I also was not a fan of the moisturizer.
September 26th, 2007 at 10:47 pm
my acne was died bec of my 0f brther
October 4th, 2007 at 10:44 pm
poor guy
i photoshoped this for him
October 19th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
neither proactiv or murad worked fo me
November 6th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
my friend uses proactive for her acne… but the thing is, people need to use a treatment or medication for their acne that can stop it and clear your skin completely. My friends who have acne problems use medications that they have to use each night, and if they miss one night, the acne starts all over again. There should be a medication that can fully stop it, and reduces your acne for the rest of your life. But proactive rarely does that to most people’s skin. The doctor may advice you to shave your skin, now not as in razor or beard shaving, but its a method they use just to get rid of it. It doesnt harm your skin or make you “grow beard”, but it just gets rid of your acne… so how about talk to your doctor about shaving your acne off (they just call it “shaving”!).
November 9th, 2007 at 10:51 pm
Hi I really want to know if Proactive is all that good ?? cause I really need some help with my skin problems I mean cause Im a teenager and Im starting to feel really bad and depressing sometimes about it. My friends have their skin so perfect and I feel sometimes that Im the only one that has this problem, I mean should I stop eating some stuffs please someone I need an advice ♥
November 24th, 2007 at 10:37 am
help
November 24th, 2007 at 10:42 am
hola this is connie!! omg i need your help i hate my skin i’ve tried proactive and it did nothing instead made it worst and all red. i was so excited to get my first package but it just made me more depressed at the end. i dont know what i should do now. i just want to look in the mirror and see a beautiful clear face. i cant stand all those other girls who have that perfect skin. i’m tired of feeling like the ugly duckling. Bye
November 26th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
[...] read more | digg story [...]
November 27th, 2007 at 1:52 am
., guys, visit the acne.org …
., I really know the feeling of that state. For those people who are in despair, Cheer up and don’t let your acne over you. Just do anything you can do and in the end you will prevail.
January 31st, 2008 at 7:23 pm
i’ve been using proactiv the last 3 weeks and i don’t see any difference on my face… maybe a little clearer the color of my face, but that’s all… i am really disappointed about the product …. well, that’s my opinion about … i’m going to try Murad anyway
February 19th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
I have mild acne, about 4-5 pimples but i scar easily.
I have used Proactiv for about 6 years now and if you go off of it, you will break out. Your skin becomes very dependent on it. I did clear up my skin and my scars and my skin was amazing. However, just recenty it stopped working.
I am desperate and have now trying Murad, been on it for 1 week. I haven’t noticed a difference yet, but am praying that it will work. Did anyone experience the purging period with Murad?
March 30th, 2008 at 12:03 am
I LOVE proactive. it helped my skin immediatley after the first use. I have very oily skin. I have been using proactive for three years now. I am getting close to 30 however and am becoming concerned about wrinkles. I’m thinking of using something other than proactive, but am afraid to stop using it. does anyone have any suggestions?
May 25th, 2008 at 7:32 am
OMG I have found a new solution! I have used murad and proactive and it always stops working after a few months but there is this new product called sensiclear it is the best thing in the world my skin look beautiful ! not dry and flacky like proavtive and murad leave it. I normally have oilly skin but when I use product like murad and proactive it really dries it out and I have to out some other lotions so it doesn’t itch and ends up bracking me out! but please you have to try SENSI CLEAR from a real person who’s been through a million differnet products. they let you try it free for 30 days just pay 7.00 shipping and if you don’t like it send it back but you will love it!!!
June 20th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
I tried proactive but I kept using the cleanser and forgetting the toner and lotion so my skin became dry and rough. However, if you use the toner and the lotion you should be fine. For Murad on the otherhand, the purging period wasn’t that bad. You face’ll get a little redder and you’ll get annoying painful zits, but after it is totally worth it. The problem with Murad is that even though I’m using it twice a day, I am never acne free. Sure it makes my skin soft and smooth but my acne still pops up.
December 15th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Murad est exellent!C’est le seul qui a mis fin au boutons apres 5 ans!
LOve murad