Thoraiya DyerDue to popular demand, I’ve stuck my nose into the world of Proactiv Solutions today, and I haven’t come away entirely scandalised. Shocking, I know. I once told a friend that if I started to investigate something and it turned out to be bona fide, I wouldn’t bother putting it on my blog (boring!), but in this case I didn’t want to send out a dozen individual emails.
So, here’s what I found.
At proactive.com.au, you can find all manner of pretty graphics and reassuring phrases, but as we have seen in the past, those can be found promoting all sorts of rubbish and are Not To Be Trusted.
What you DON’T need to know is this: “Serena Williams embodies style, power, beauty and courage… “I used Proactiv when I was a teenager, but I never thought I’d have acne as an adult. Unfortunately, I did. That’s why I’m so glad I rediscovered Proactiv Solution.”"
(I’d rather be knocked out by a tennis ball served at 200km/hr than listen to any more promotional celebrity drivel.)
Ingredients you don’t need to know about: “Chamomile Extract (This botanical extract is known for its gentle properties).”
Bah, humbug!
Ingredients you DO need to know about: “Benzoyl Peroxide (This is the key agent to fight acne. Proactiv® Solution's delivery system allows the benzoyl peroxide to penetrate evenly into your skin's surface and unplug your pores); Sodium Hyaluronate (This mucopolysaccharide acts as a humectant to draw moisture to your skin. Mucopolysaccharides are gel-like substances surrounding the collagen and elastin in the dermis layer of the skin); Polyethylene (These small round beads gently remove old, dead cells without tearing or scratching your skin).”
Now, if you go back to the Snail Slime post ( Really Long Link ), you’ll remember that Real, Live, Qualified Dermatologists include benzoyl peroxide in their list of effective over-the-counter treatments for mild to moderate acne.
At the Skin Research Centre at the University of Leeds, Mark Farrar and Eileen Ingham will be the first to admit our understanding of acne isn’t perfect (taken from their October 2004 article in “Clinics in Dermatology,” Volume 22, issue 5, pages 380-384):
“Although inflammatory acne has been well characterized clinically, the mechanisms by which inflammatory lesions arise are still poorly understood. The human skin commensal bacterium, Propionibacterium acnes, has long been associated with inflammatory acne. This organism has been implicated over and above all of the other cutaneous microflora in contributing to the inflammatory response characteristic of acne. However, its precise role in the disease and its interaction with the human immune system remain to be elucidated.”
One day, I will be smart enough to use the word “elucidated” in normal conversation.
Anyway, despite the confusion about the real cause of acne - despite the involvement of a bacteria which would suggest antibiotics are the way to go, and hormonal-induced overproduction of sebum which would suggest hormone treatment is the way to go - benzoyl peroxide is an extremely well documented treatment, with a whopping 366 articles listed on PubMed.
As an example of the general gist of scientific findings, here’s an excerpt from the BMJ, 2006, November 4; 333(7575): 949–953, in an article by Purdy and de Berker entitled, “Acne, A Clinical Review”:
“Benzoyl peroxide is a cheap and effective treatment for acne. It has antimicrobial, anti-comedonal, and anti-inflammatory effects.5 A recent randomised controlled trial (RCT) found that it had similar effectiveness to oral oxytetracycline [that would be an antibiotic – TD] and minocycline [another antibiotic – TD] in mild acne.
It was unaffected by bacterial resistance and was the most cost effective treatment studied. Lower concentrations (2.5% and 5%) seem to be as effective as higher concentrations (10%), with less local irritation. It helps to start with a low strength and increase it gradually. Reducing frequency of application or temporarily discontinuing treatment helps with irritation.”
There you go. Benzoyl peroxide. Knock yourself out.
Before I leave the topic of acne, I can’t help but mention this:
“A common belief is that diet is important, but in the few studies that have been undertaken, no specific foods (including fatty foods and chocolate) have been identified as causative factors.”
Ha HA! I was denied chocolate for NO REASON!
Now, on to Woolworths.
Some of you may have read the “Woolworths: Goodies or Baddies?” post ( Really Long Link ) from a couple of weeks ago, where I noted that although 97% of Woolies’ fresh produce is Australian, there were no figures given for its dry foodstuffs or for Woolworths’ own brands.
In a polite contrast to Evil Yoplait (who was never to be heard of again), Woolies actually replied to my inquiry yesterday.
Turns out that 90% of Woolworths “Home Brand” items (I am told this constitutes 950 product lines, and is Australia’s biggest selling grocery brand) are Australian sourced.
Huzzah!
As for the rest of the packaged goods crowding the aisles, I am offered the following apologetic confession:
“The Australian grocery industry has over the years consolidated through acquisitions, to the point it is now dominated by foreign owned companies. Of our top 15 packaged grocery suppliers, only one is majority Australian owned.”
D’OH!
What I was more curious about was the “Select” brand, which seems to me more prominently placed and attractively packaged than the “Home Brand” stuff. There was no mention of it, so I assume most of it is sourced overseas, too.
Why?
Well, I am not unsympathetic to the reasons given in the email.
It explains, basically, that when they don’t buy locally, it may be because a single Evil Supplier controls the market (use of the word “Evil” is mine, not Woolworths’).
OR the product isn’t produced in Australia.
OR it’s not produced in great enough quantities.
OR it’s not produced to the quality desired.
OR it’s not produced cheaply enough (this one is sneaked in at the end, haha).
Although it would be rather nice if each individual Woolworths could go shopping at the local Farmer’s Market, I am not naïve enough to think this is possible for a massive company that must compete with Evil Coles, Evil Bi-Lo, Evil Aldi and Evil Franklins.
Instead, I can exercise my own right to shop at the Farmer’s Market…except when the things I want aren’t being picked that particular week. Then, I will creep down to Woolies to beg for fruit and veg from their giant chillers, and for meat from their giant freezer.
I will even admit to being grateful for it.
So, here’s what I found.
At proactive.com.au, you can find all manner of pretty graphics and reassuring phrases, but as we have seen in the past, those can be found promoting all sorts of rubbish and are Not To Be Trusted.
What you DON’T need to know is this: “Serena Williams embodies style, power, beauty and courage… “I used Proactiv when I was a teenager, but I never thought I’d have acne as an adult. Unfortunately, I did. That’s why I’m so glad I rediscovered Proactiv Solution.”"
(I’d rather be knocked out by a tennis ball served at 200km/hr than listen to any more promotional celebrity drivel.)
Ingredients you don’t need to know about: “Chamomile Extract (This botanical extract is known for its gentle properties).”
Bah, humbug!
Ingredients you DO need to know about: “Benzoyl Peroxide (This is the key agent to fight acne. Proactiv® Solution's delivery system allows the benzoyl peroxide to penetrate evenly into your skin's surface and unplug your pores); Sodium Hyaluronate (This mucopolysaccharide acts as a humectant to draw moisture to your skin. Mucopolysaccharides are gel-like substances surrounding the collagen and elastin in the dermis layer of the skin); Polyethylene (These small round beads gently remove old, dead cells without tearing or scratching your skin).”
Now, if you go back to the Snail Slime post ( Really Long Link ), you’ll remember that Real, Live, Qualified Dermatologists include benzoyl peroxide in their list of effective over-the-counter treatments for mild to moderate acne.
At the Skin Research Centre at the University of Leeds, Mark Farrar and Eileen Ingham will be the first to admit our understanding of acne isn’t perfect (taken from their October 2004 article in “Clinics in Dermatology,” Volume 22, issue 5, pages 380-384):
“Although inflammatory acne has been well characterized clinically, the mechanisms by which inflammatory lesions arise are still poorly understood. The human skin commensal bacterium, Propionibacterium acnes, has long been associated with inflammatory acne. This organism has been implicated over and above all of the other cutaneous microflora in contributing to the inflammatory response characteristic of acne. However, its precise role in the disease and its interaction with the human immune system remain to be elucidated.”
One day, I will be smart enough to use the word “elucidated” in normal conversation.
Anyway, despite the confusion about the real cause of acne - despite the involvement of a bacteria which would suggest antibiotics are the way to go, and hormonal-induced overproduction of sebum which would suggest hormone treatment is the way to go - benzoyl peroxide is an extremely well documented treatment, with a whopping 366 articles listed on PubMed.
As an example of the general gist of scientific findings, here’s an excerpt from the BMJ, 2006, November 4; 333(7575): 949–953, in an article by Purdy and de Berker entitled, “Acne, A Clinical Review”:
“Benzoyl peroxide is a cheap and effective treatment for acne. It has antimicrobial, anti-comedonal, and anti-inflammatory effects.5 A recent randomised controlled trial (RCT) found that it had similar effectiveness to oral oxytetracycline [that would be an antibiotic – TD] and minocycline [another antibiotic – TD] in mild acne.
It was unaffected by bacterial resistance and was the most cost effective treatment studied. Lower concentrations (2.5% and 5%) seem to be as effective as higher concentrations (10%), with less local irritation. It helps to start with a low strength and increase it gradually. Reducing frequency of application or temporarily discontinuing treatment helps with irritation.”
There you go. Benzoyl peroxide. Knock yourself out.
Before I leave the topic of acne, I can’t help but mention this:
“A common belief is that diet is important, but in the few studies that have been undertaken, no specific foods (including fatty foods and chocolate) have been identified as causative factors.”
Ha HA! I was denied chocolate for NO REASON!
Now, on to Woolworths.
Some of you may have read the “Woolworths: Goodies or Baddies?” post ( Really Long Link ) from a couple of weeks ago, where I noted that although 97% of Woolies’ fresh produce is Australian, there were no figures given for its dry foodstuffs or for Woolworths’ own brands.
In a polite contrast to Evil Yoplait (who was never to be heard of again), Woolies actually replied to my inquiry yesterday.
Turns out that 90% of Woolworths “Home Brand” items (I am told this constitutes 950 product lines, and is Australia’s biggest selling grocery brand) are Australian sourced.
Huzzah!
As for the rest of the packaged goods crowding the aisles, I am offered the following apologetic confession:
“The Australian grocery industry has over the years consolidated through acquisitions, to the point it is now dominated by foreign owned companies. Of our top 15 packaged grocery suppliers, only one is majority Australian owned.”
D’OH!
What I was more curious about was the “Select” brand, which seems to me more prominently placed and attractively packaged than the “Home Brand” stuff. There was no mention of it, so I assume most of it is sourced overseas, too.
Why?
Well, I am not unsympathetic to the reasons given in the email.
It explains, basically, that when they don’t buy locally, it may be because a single Evil Supplier controls the market (use of the word “Evil” is mine, not Woolworths’).
OR the product isn’t produced in Australia.
OR it’s not produced in great enough quantities.
OR it’s not produced to the quality desired.
OR it’s not produced cheaply enough (this one is sneaked in at the end, haha).
Although it would be rather nice if each individual Woolworths could go shopping at the local Farmer’s Market, I am not naïve enough to think this is possible for a massive company that must compete with Evil Coles, Evil Bi-Lo, Evil Aldi and Evil Franklins.
Instead, I can exercise my own right to shop at the Farmer’s Market…except when the things I want aren’t being picked that particular week. Then, I will creep down to Woolies to beg for fruit and veg from their giant chillers, and for meat from their giant freezer.
I will even admit to being grateful for it.
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