Since these are the two most popular three step system's out there, which one do you think is better? It doesnt matter in what category they are better, just describe what you think is the best system.

Proactive
Murad

Proactive works for me. But this isn't the best kind of thing to ask for opinions on. Different things work for different people.

i think when it comes to beauty products, it's best to try them all and find out what work best.

they both suck if they dont work for you.

Proactive for me, I've used it for two years and it works fine.

I've only ever used Proactive. But I notice that if I use it excessively, the results aren't great. (for me, that is.)

i used Murad for a few months and it killed my face. I had more pimples that I had ever had... when I used proactive my skin got really dry... but i had fewer pimples.

I saw an infomercial that Neutrogenia skin care product was supposed to be better than proactiv.

I dont like Proactive, never try Murad. I've tried other products before and none really worked. My friend referred me to a product (Sense), and i really like it.

I've just heard as soon as you stop using them your face goes back to being a pimple farm. That's what my friend told me any way and she used Proactive.

proactive didn't work for me. once I stopped using it my face got even worsse. never again! I suggest seeing a dermatologist.

Proactive is actually REALLY weak. If you look under active ingrediants on a Proactive product and the same type of product from, say, Clean and Clear, the regular brand will have a higher dose of medicine. My dermatologist told me that. It is better then nothing, but there are stronger things that you can use that don't cost as much.

I was using Clean and Clean, and things were dealable. But when I stopped using C&C to try Proactive, my acne got worse! So I went back to Clean and Clear.

The thing that helped me the most was a perscription cream that the dermatologist perscribed. It cleaned everything away right away.

Proactiv works well, but it take a long time to do

I've never heard of Murad.
But Proactiv is inconsistent, and stopped working for me.

I use Biore now, but nothing as of yet totally eradicates pimples.

i heard the chemicals or something in proactive are bad for you in the long run? i don't know.

i personally use AcneFree and that works pretty well for me.

Murad made my sister's face worse, imo. I think she stopped using it. The weird thing is that she was also on birth control before (dunno if she still is on it), and her pimples didn't clear up either. I don't think my sister will ever be able to get rid of her pimples. Of course she doesn't have bad acne or anything.

I did try proactiv before, but it made my skin worse. My face felt dry sometimes, and oily other times when I used it. But I started using Mary Kay products (blemish control toner, velocity facewash, etc) and it really helped clear up my pimples. I only had a few, but the products I used before Mary Kay would not make my pimples clear up any faster, and sometimes they would get worse. In the end, I gave up using other crap and opted for Mary Kay. Now I just use the MaryKay blemish control toner, along with Shiseido The Skincare facial cleanser. I also occasionally use Shiseido Pore Purifying Scrub to exfoliate.

My boyfriend used to have really bad acne, to the point where I had to photoshop the skin on his face. lol I touched up a bunch of the pimples and scars he had on his face. Proactiv did not work so well for him. At one point his sister did a bunch of microdermabrasion stuff on his face, which worked well at first, but his acne came back and it was pretty bad again.

Honestly, if you have REALLY BAD ACNE and you are a girl, consider using birth control pills. One of my friends had really bumpy skin and was prone to whiteheads in high school, so her mother got her a prescription for birth control and it really changed her life. Her face looks so clear and smooth now. Just find the right one for you. You might get side-effects from BC, but over time they're supposed to disappear.

If you are a guy (or girl) and have really bad acne and have tried everything, consider talking to a dermatologist to prescribe you Accutane. Accutane is not for everyone, since it had some pretty dangerous side effects, especially if you might be allergic to whatever is in it. Accutane is somewhat pricey, but the results are lasting - it can potentially clear up your acne for good, granted you might still get pimples if you do not wash your face properly. HOWEVER, my boyfriend is currently on Accutane and is almost done with his prescription. His face is clearer than mine - no pimples, no red, rashy skin, and his past acne scars are fading away. It's really changed his life as well.

EDIT - you should add "Neither" as an option in the poll.

It really depends on how bad your acne is, and what kind. Proactiv did nothing for me, but then nothing has been particularly effective for me except Accutance. That's a last resort, though; if you just have occasional breakouts or really light acne, it isn't worth it. I went on the pill and that was good for a few months, then stopped helping. If you're a girl considering Accutane, you'll have to go on the pill anyway. I'm on Accutane for the second time, and the pill did absolutely nothing to keep my skin clear after I went off the first time. While I do have to question Accutane's permanence, and the side effects can be bad, my skin is looking incredibly clear right now. I'm not afraid to go out without foundation anymore, which is saying a lot. But if your acne isn't particularly stubborn, a lot of people do have success with Proactiv.

My cousin tried Accutane and worked wonders for him. However you can only use it for a limited time, so he had to get another prescription from another doctor and fill it with another pharmacy - not a very wise idea but if you're desperate go ahead.

I had mild acne my sophomore year of high school. I tried proactiv for about a month because my mom was using it and it had worked for her, however it really irritated my skin especially the toner - it was still very subtle in fixing my blemishes.

So if you have sensitive skin.. i recommend that you don't use it. Murad, is great if you have sensitive skin; but i have not tried it personally.

I use differin and used a gentle neutrogena cleanser.. worked wonders for me.

According to my sources, one takes Accutane for about 6 months, and if it recurs, take it for another month.

Usually it's only recommended for severe cases of acne - not just random pimples and whatnot. Pimples are just blemishes that occur either from puberty or not taking care of your skin. That's why it's important to cleanse your face thoroughly and take care of it.


Oh yea and my boyfriend didn't even get a prescription - he got it overseas lol. And it was $1 a pill in Asia. It's probably much more expensive here.


Oh man, ProActiv used to be more costly - $40+ for the bundle. Now it's like $20 or less.