Monthly Archive for August, 2005

“‘It looks like Hiroshima is what it looks like,’ Gov. Haley Barbour said, describing parts of Harrison County, Miss.”

In another article, I saw that US Officials said “This is our tsunami.”

Wow.

Let’s face it, except for a few blessed souls (ie Tiddy, P-Money), we all have to deal with the unfortunate imperfections that arise when oil, bacteria, and our faces combine. Like Dave B said, “Pimpin’ Ain’t Easy.” True dat playa, but it can be easier.

I can’t help but notice that even now, many people are dealing with acne. Either on a regular basis or just the occasional outbreak. Many products have come and gone. The drug companies even started marketing prescription level topical as well as oral solutions. Talk about hardcore. I have seen many a bathroom counters and open toiletry bags. The overwhelming solution nowadays is Proactiv. With Jessica Simpson and Alicia Keys backing it, how could you go wrong? Well you can.

Let’s recap:

Acne is a bacteria (propionibacterium acnes) that grows in a plugged follicle, or pore. Nobody really knows why this happens but when it does, it causes a bump to form, AKA acne.

To fight acne, you simply have to kill P. Acnes. There have been a few solutions presented such as: Retin-A, antibiotics, Cleocin-T, Accutane, Azelex and the most popular two – Salicylic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide.

The latter two are both over the counter (OTC) products. Most of the stuff you find will include either one as an active ingredient. Though developed in the 1930’s, Benzoyl Peroxide is still considered by many to be the best treatment. It creates oxygen and the bacteria P. Acnes cannot survive in the presence of O2.

Guess what Proactiv Solution lists as its active ingredient? You guessed it, 2.5% Benzoyl Proxide. Why 2.5%? That is the optimal amount. Up to 5% is safe but any more than that really starts to irritate and dry the skin out, making it less effective.

So what’s the problem, you ask? You enjoy your clean and zit-free face. Yes, but at what cost? The Proactiv Solution is *not* cheap ($60 for a starter kit). I was given a kit from my sister and I took the time to see how it differed from my current regimen. The “system” consisted of a renewing cleanser, revitalizing toner, and then the repairing lotion. There are a few other random products like a Refining Mask and Daily Oil Control. Whatever.

How can you get the results of Proactiv without the costs? How can you get away from being under their Vulcan Death Grip? How can you not be a crackwhore, coming back to your dealer every month for your refills? Simple. Do it in three steps:

1. Gentle Cleansing – Wash your face as part of your morning and evening regiments. Use something made specifically for the face. Anything OTC will work. I’ve tried Basis, Cetaphil, and Purpose. I recommend them all. I don’t like things with fragrances or perfumes. Just simple soaps.

2. Benzoyl Peroxide (2.5%) – Find a generic seller. Benzoyl Peroxide doesn’t need to have a fancy label, former Miss USA, or the President of Bad Boy to make it work. It’s just a simple chemical. You can buy this stuff really cheap. $8.50 for 4 oz. You need to apply this generously, using two fingers. Put on more than you think you might need. Two strips the length of your finger. Don’t worry, the skin will absorb it all. You need to allow it time to do so. If you need to, wake up early, or start getting ready for bed later.

3. Moisturize – After you are done with Step 2, use moisturizer to prevent your skin from becoming overly dry. It does not matter if you think you need it or not. You do. I like something with SPF 15 (at least) to help block those pesky UV rays. Some can clump up with BP, so be careful. I like Neutrogena stuff since they are readily available and pretty affordable.

That’s it. Do this twice a day and you are golden. You might be wondering, “But Vo, you don’t have perfect skin, why should we trust you?” Well, I don’t but all the celebrities endorsing Proactiv do so you know the concept works. Just listen to me and save yourself some money.