Congrats Makeover Momma! I’ve selected your product submission for my Product Replacement Challenge.
Here’s the submission: Proactiv Repairing Lotion
Makeover Momma uses it twice a day with the claim that it keeps her from breaking out. Could be true. But that doesn’t make it GOOD for her or the environment and there are options with fewer toxins and equal (or better!) results.
So here goes: Proactiv, what a perfect example to start with. This is one (if not the most infamous) of those over-marketed lines, that is a miracle for some and a nightmare for others. From the standpoint of toxic ingredients-, Proactiv is a nightmare, one that just won’t go away, especially after you know what is in it.
First let’s look at the ingredients (The super big words that companies know the average consumer knows nothing about, but I do… and that’s why you love my new program)
The REALLY yucky ones are highlighted in red… as in danger 
benzoyl peroxide 2.5%, water (aqua), ethoxydiglycol, cyclotetrasiloxane, propylene glycol, cetearyl alcohol, dimethicone, glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate, cyclopentasiloxane, panthenol, allantoin, xanthan gum, ceteareth-20, carbomer, triethanolamine, diazolidinyl urea, methylparaben, propylparaben, fragrance (parfum).
Let’s be honest. It doesn’t take an exploratory and concerned woman (me) to see there is nothing natural about these over-processed ingredients. There’s nothing that even sounds natural let alone organic. This Proactiv product (like all the others in the line) is clearly packed full of ingredients you should avoid.
Here is a silly but true test. Would you dab a dime size of this on your tongue? I most certainly wouldn’t, especially considering the warning label actually says, “keep away from eyes, lips and mouth”. Now here’s a fact; skin is the body’s largest organ and absorbs 60% of the ingredients YOU place on it. You know the saying you are what you eat? Well, guess what ladies… YOU are what you put on your skin as well.
Okay, so let’s look at the complete ingredient list of MY PRESCRIPTION: Lotus Moon’s Blemish Control Gel
aqua (water), *alcohol denat., glycolic acid (5%), *glycerin, salicylic acid (3%), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, sodium chloride, hydrolyzed yeast protein, pyridoxine hcl, niacinamide, panthenol, allantoin, biotin, mentha piperita (peppermint) oil, ascorbic acid (l), glutathione (l), *lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil. *usda certified organic
Notice how NOTHING is highlighted in red?
Okay I might not actually eat this product for lunch, but since it is free of the toxic ingredients on my list I feel this product is definitely a GOOD replacement for the Proactiv product.
I know the word acid might sound scary at first but, acids like glycerin, glycolic, and salicylic are actually natural biles that thin out the oil that your skin may be over producing. Plus this product packs plenty of B vitamins (pyridoxine hcl, niacinamide, panthenol, and biotin) to help regulate your sebum production going forward.
But does the Lotus Moon Blemish Control Gel deliver the results?
YES! After personally testing the Lotus Moon’s Blemish Control Gel for roughly a week and previously using Proactiv’s Repairing Lotion for several years in my 20′s (glad those days are over) I feel that Lotus Moon product does the same, if not better. Prior to testing I had a HUGE zit (no grace here, this is serious skin care talk) that quickly vanished as well as congestion I have been harboring around my t-zone. I enjoyed testing this product so much that I am personally going to incorporate it into my beauty routine on an as need basis. The only notable difference is the texture of the two products, which is more about a personal preference than results (Proactiv is a lotion whereas Lotus Moon is a gel). I honestly I prefer the feeling of the gel – I feel it glides on smoother and doesn’t leave a visible almost chalky film like I experienced with Proactiv.
Makeover Momma- I want day to day updates of your results!
What about the price?
Proactiv’s Repairing Lotion retails for $22.00(2 oz.) whereas Lotus Moon’s Blemish Control Gel sells for $37.00 (1 oz.). I do feel however that you get a bigger bang for your buck with the Lotus Moon product and have to use less actual product to get the desired result.
About this series:
I am convinced that if someone can give me the name of a mainstream brand they are using and why they like it – I can, and will locate a product replacement that is better for them as well as our environment. Do you have a product you would like to submit for replacement? Find out more here.
About Kelly Tirman
Kelly Tirman is the mom behind kellytirman.com and serves as Sr. Manager of Operations for Walmart’s Global eCommerce User Experience, Insights & Analytics teams. Kelly’s blog focuses on sharing ideas on urban living; including general lifestyle, raising multilingual children and organic beauty.
