• Proactiv

Proactiv

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Overview

Proactiv has a rating of 1.3 stars from 28 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about Proactiv most frequently mention customer service, and credit card problems. Proactiv ranks 127th among Acne sites.

  • Service
    9
  • Value
    9
  • Shipping
    9
  • Returns
    8
  • Quality
    8
  • Full refund
  • Free shipping
  • 60-day money-back guarantee
  • Yes
  • Yes
Positive reviews (last 12 months): 0%
Positive
0
Neutral
0
Negative
2
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How would you rate Proactiv?
Top Positive Review

“I really like proactiv!”

April R.
5/29/13

I really like proactiv! The product itself has really worked for me and as someone with adult acne I know those things are so hard to get rid of! As for the monthly "club" thing I really don't mind that either. They send me 3 months worth of product and I make monthly payments on it. It's so much more convienent than having to pay all 3 months at once. They always send me free gifts with every shipment. I have also ordered additional products from their website and they send free gifts with those. My only compliant and the reason I gave it 4 stars is that all of their products smell, like bad! If I don't put on makeup, I will smell this stuff all day long!

Top Critical Review

“Over price and does not work”

kim H.
3/23/24

Do not subscribe since they are overcharged and can not return the product when it is not working. Very bad, don't start

Reviews (28)

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customer service (6)
Thumbnail of user kimh1971
Canada
1 review
0 helpful votes
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March 23rd, 2024

Do not subscribe since they are overcharged and can not return the product when it is not working. Very bad, don't start

Tip for consumers:
Not worth for all the troubles

Products used:
Proactive, does not work, can not return, call the service, they convinced you to try and if not working, return, overcharged, since you can get the products from the shopper drug smart less than the amount they charged you. And no strings attached.

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Value
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Thumbnail of user waytoof
Washington
1 review
1 helpful vote
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May 22nd, 2023

This product is very expensive, on auto renewal subscription, and you have to pay shipping! It is not the miracle product they market it as. Proactive is no better than what you can buy at the drugstore for $10, or if we're talking about a 90-day supply - $30. Is proactive worth $100? Heck no! But if you like giving your money away to make this greedy corporation Rich - go for it! The CEO will thank you!

Thumbnail of user ceecee21.cs
Washington
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 14th, 2023

Not the same proactiv from when they first came out.You do better going to Walmart or Target and buying your products.Not only that you cancel your subscription and they still charge your card and if you want to send the product that don't work back that's another 14.00 dollars...I wish I could give them. Zero and then when you call customer service it's a bunch of foreign people you can't even understand

Thumbnail of user stevef1400
Michigan
1 review
1 helpful vote
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April 30th, 2023

It worked good for first 2 months then started burning my daughters skin, actually making her skin red and hurt a day after using it. When I called to cancel the representative was not believing me- said he had never heard of that before. Then with months of extra stuff on hand I finally got them to cancel (yes, the auto ship is terrible unless you want twice as much as you need) and refund some of my money. Now after 4 months I started getting charged again and had to cancel my debit card so they will quit charging me.

Tip for consumers:
save yourself stress, don't buy from them.

Products used:
cleanse, tone, repair

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Value
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Thumbnail of user ramizl1
Texas
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 22nd, 2023

No significant results on my teenager. He's been using in for 4 months now, cost me hundreds of dollars with these automated payments. You sign for 3 months, but of course it automatically renews for unlimited time, as all theses unethical companies.
Don't fall for their products and pricing. Not worth it at all

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Thumbnail of user kellym68
New York
11 reviews
20 helpful votes
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August 31st, 2015

I do like Proactiv and have used it for many years, but, have had too many problems with their monthly delivery system. The items don't always show up, but, you are still billed and it is impossible to prove that the item was not delivered. They were double billing me for a year! It took six calls, me fighting the bills through my credit card, and finally turning off my credit card to end the double billing each month for products that did not show up at least a third of the time. This has happened to me two times with Proactiv. I now purchase my items at the mall, through ebay, or through Amazon.

Thumbnail of user monab13
Ohio
4 reviews
11 helpful votes
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February 12th, 2016

The "Dark Spot Remover" is totally useless! When I complained and cancelled my account I was told that what I "really" needed was their "Clarifying Mask". There was no compensation offered for the product that is guaranteed to work. Also the rotating brush offered as a free gift with purchase cracks and the rotating brush will not remain in place after just 30 days.

Thumbnail of user virginiak48
Pennsylvania
3 reviews
6 helpful votes
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January 20th, 2019

The products made me itch intensely. I broke out in smaller pimples which was not a problem I had, so in essence the products caused more problems then it fixed for me. My issues were deep acne and blackheads which Proactive did not sooth or heal or prevent. Customer service substituted one product for another but that did not help me. So I wanted to stop the service but it just kept coming and I kept paying untill the credit card they had on file eventually expired.

Thumbnail of user debbien3
Michigan
1 review
7 helpful votes
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August 31st, 2013

The product may be legit but their "sales techniques" are a scam! It is NOT clear that you are signing up for 3 monthly payments vs one payment OR that you automatically enrolled! I called to cancel and it was a hassle and I was told it is clear on the checkout... wasn't to me! I even looked back at my confirmation email after I ordered and it says nothing about 3 payments OR recurring orders! Stay away from the website!

Thumbnail of user aprilr2
Illinois
5 reviews
9 helpful votes
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May 29th, 2013

I really like proactiv! The product itself has really worked for me and as someone with adult acne I know those things are so hard to get rid of! As for the monthly "club" thing I really don't mind that either. They send me 3 months worth of product and I make monthly payments on it. It's so much more convienent than having to pay all 3 months at once. They always send me free gifts with every shipment. I have also ordered additional products from their website and they send free gifts with those. My only compliant and the reason I gave it 4 stars is that all of their products smell, like bad! If I don't put on makeup, I will smell this stuff all day long!

Thumbnail of user normal2
Latvia
5 reviews
5 helpful votes
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September 15th, 2015

If you really want to get this product (from my own experience it is a worthless product cause did not even helpy my son with his mild acne problem), get it somewhere else - the customer service is terrible and delivery period is x2 what they claim it to be.

Thumbnail of user deasiaj
Illinois
1 review
1 helpful vote
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April 11th, 2014

It really depends on how extreme your acne is- mine was about, hum, medium, and I got Proactiv and it helped clear it up. But- I use the Refining Mask a lot more than the directions say, which helps clear up pimples. If your acne is more serious than, say, 8 pimples, go to your dermatologist and see how they can help. No over-the-counter acne medicine really clears up severe acne. http://antiskinproblems.com/truth-about-proactive-reviews/

Thumbnail of user victoriav1
1 review
1 helpful vote
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January 29th, 2011

I went through a period when I was obsessed with my skin. I decided to take the risk and try proactive. I heard that things get worse before they get better. Well, things did get worse but I wasn't about to sit around until they got better. Unfortunately proactiv keeps charging you until you clearly tell them to cancel - and you have to do it early enough before the next charge goes through. Overall, not a big fan of Proactiv but I didn't have as many problems as other people did, I think.

Thumbnail of user erind14
Illinois
4 reviews
10 helpful votes
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April 13th, 2014

I had a terrible experience with Proactiv. I signed up for a free trial, but then tried to cancel and they made it really difficult. Then a few months later, they sent me more facewash and told me I owed them $100+ for it. I was furious! I wound up filing a BBB complaint, which I've never done in my life. Do yourself a favor and don't order their product (which didn't work for me - as a sidenote).

Thumbnail of user stephanier20
Colorado
4 reviews
60 helpful votes
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March 25th, 2016

After 14 years of being a loyal customer, Proactive refused to fix a mistake on their end for the last two orders. This is after the website went down completely for weeks. Bad business so I cancelled my account. VERY DISAPPOINTED!

Thumbnail of user deborahc2371
Texas
1 review
0 helpful votes
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March 1st, 2023

The product is OK - it's not a miracle worker but it's also not useless. Even the sensitive is harsh on sensitive skin though. The bigger issue is the scam they run on their site. If you order a sample, no matter what you do (and believe me, I DID NOT sign up for a recurring program), they sign you up and send you product. Then, they insist that you did and won't pay return charges. If you want to test it, get it at Target or Ulta but DO NOT use their website.

Products used:
Sensitive solution

Service
Value
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Thumbnail of user rpa2
RP A.
Arkansas
1 review
4 helpful votes
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July 17th, 2015

Proactiv.com has zero intention of providing a Service to their customers beyond 'Auto Product Shipments'. Their main goal is to lock you into the Auto Delivery System. After that you are just an Account Number. Should you have issues you will be treated with robotic responses. Your problem will remain unresolved since help from Proactiv Customer Service is none existent with no Managerial Escalation Staff available to help. In this instance Proactiv is taking 29 days to mail a 'Return Authorization Label' within the USA. They have no policy to expedite shipping. Their response? There is nothing we can do you'll just have to wait! As a Customer you are doomed to inadequate repeat phrases lots of wasted phone time, frustration, zero empathy and achieving no satisfaction. In the 21st Century Customers have many options!! So I agree with the previous Reviewer go to the free market and vote for Companies that DO provide Service. Proactiv.com at *******329 & *******796 has lost a customer and Amazon has gained one! This is a great opportunity to stop using harsh chemical/toxic products and look for healthier organic non GMO skin care alternatives. Command respect with your wallet.

Tip for consumers:
Command respect with your $'s vote against Proactiv Customer Abuse!!

Service
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Thumbnail of user jls26
New York
3 reviews
17 helpful votes
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November 16th, 2022

Proactiv is a skin care company, formulated by two doctors. The products have worked amazingly well for my skin... But, their autoship policy will fill your home with their product and send your bank account into a tail-spin. I have learned that nationwide offices search proac/iv accounts and if a autoship date is within a week or two weeks coming due. The new 30 or 90 day kit will be shipped, your bank or credit card will be charged for a kit that's outside of its scheduled due-date. Usually, 30 day autoships are established, which means if you order a kit on November 1,2022, you expect another kit to ship on December 1,2022. However, Proactiv kits are being sent out on November 15th or November 22nd and arrive beforehand. Whether you are benefitting from the Membership pricing or without, Proactiv can be costly when autoships are doubled and tripled. And considering inflation, there's no room for shady autoship errors.

Tip for consumers:
Be mindful to set your autoship 90 days and beyond, if you can. It helps to shed some light into the"shade".

Products used:
Proactiv + and Proactiv MD

Thumbnail of user chloew12
GB
1 review
2 helpful votes
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May 25th, 2016

PRODUCTS ARE GOOD BUT ACTUALLY RECIVING THEM IS ANOTHER STORY! WAITING 3 WEEKS SENDING 10 E-MAILS WONDERING WHERE MY DELIVERY WAS NO E-MAILS BACK THEY JUST GAVE ME A REFUND. NOT WORTH THE TIME OR HASSLE!

Thumbnail of user mariec26
Alaska
7 reviews
17 helpful votes
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July 5th, 2015

You can buy proactiv at numerous other sites. Don't go through proactiv website because you will be stuck with monthly payments and usually a whole lot more product than you want/need. I have to say I do love some of their products - not all - however, their customer service is probably the most horrible customer service any where! They are no help and talk/respond as if they are reading from a script and can't think for themselves. After a huge ordeal I did finally get my account canceled after threatening legal action. I have 2 products that I would like to keep buying so I am buying them on ebay or amazon. I can also get them CHEAPER this way and get only what I need/want.
DON'T GET SUCKERED INTO AN ACCOUNT WITH THIS COMPANY.

Tip for consumers:
Buy it cheaper elsewhere - amazon, ebay, etc.

Service
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Thumbnail of user jenniferr429
Alabama
195 reviews
359 helpful votes
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November 15th, 2018

... and also they do not refund. They tell lies! So I will guarantee you that this site and product is not for you. It doesn't work. If you have sensitive skin, beware!

Thumbnail of user pearld11
Texas
1 review
3 helpful votes
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August 29th, 2014

This place has the WORST customer service ever. They messed up and shipped my product to the wrong home, so without telling me they refunded the money to a gift card that I no longer had. After having a new gift card shipped to me I called and paid them again. A few months went by and I hadn't received my shipment, so I called again. It turns out that the payment was denied because I only had the amount they had refunded to the card, and they were trying to charge me more! I stayed on the phone with the woman for over 30 minutes... just for her to tell me there was nothing that they could do. That I was going to have to find another form of payment because their system takes a fee off the card, and then charges the card the amount before it puts the fee back on. Well my card only has enough for the amount, and not the fee. Therefor the card gets declined! Oh but she did do me a favor and took me off of the auto shipment list! Oh joy. I told her that she could just have the crap back. Using the product isn't worth dealing the the customer service people.

Service
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Thumbnail of user bexc4
South Carolina
1 review
1 helpful vote
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August 18th, 2022

I had decided that I needed a new skin car routine before the beginning of the school year. I chose Proactiv because I'd had family members mention it. When I ordered my box, I got a confirmation email that my order had been processed and that I would be receiving an email about shipping in a few days. A few days got by, then a week. I finally email their costumer service, turns out my box had been shipped but I just hadn't gotten any email about it. That should've been my first red flag. When I finally got my shipment, I was missing a product, a whole entire step in a three step routine. I immediately contacted customer service via their chat (bad idea since the website sucks), and after a good 20 minutes got them to send me a new product. After that I made the decision to just stop using proactiv all together. I had used other skincare brands in the past who I didn't have to battle this much. So I called them. I was told that my address was in the system wrong. I had checked multiple times, it wasn't. I was also offered 20% off my next order. The lady I spoke too basically tricked me into keeping my account. Which I didn't want. At this point I'm just gonna change my card to one that doesn't work and start using curology again. At least they make canceling easy

Tip for consumers:
dont

Service
Value
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Thumbnail of user paulah9
California
3 reviews
7 helpful votes
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March 8th, 2013

Proactiv isn't a scam exactly--it really works for some people. But they hook you in with monthly shipments. I'd avoid it.

Thumbnail of user carlat24
California
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
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July 2nd, 2017

These products are very good. The customer service team can be very helpful in assisting a person in customizing an order.

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About the business

Get your best skin ever with Proactiv? - from dermatologist-developed acne treatments to modern-day skincare essentials, discover Proactiv. Shop Now!

Business Attributes

  • Full refund
  • Free shipping
  • 60-day money-back guarantee
  • Yes
  • Yes

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1.3
28 reviews
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