Recently, cosmetic company Proactiv put out an ad to promote its acne-killing facial kit. They've always had their infomercials and their spots on the TV Guide channel, but they do internet advertisements as well.

However, one of their most recent ads isn't just insulting; it's downright degrading. --> [link]


What better way to further increase the already rampant epidemic of teenage girls with low-self esteem? What better way to encourage girls to take on self-destroying habits such as anorexia and bulimia? What better way to possibly be the direct cause of girls with poor emotional health who strive to look like the vapid models on every cover of Vogue?

Proactiv has single-handedly done the unthinkable; it has declared in a loud and derisive tone that "ugly" girls are worthless, that they have no place in society and no hope for success, and that beauty is the key to everything; especially hooking up with a cute beefy guy, because that's all pretty girls can hope for in life, right? That's a status that's REALLY important, and that's what ALL girls have to do. If you don't have a boyfriend, you're WORTHLESS, honey!

If you're as disgusted as I am, I strongly encourage you to contact the company directly via e-mail at customerservice@guthy-renker.com . Normally, I don't do things like this, especially if it's over trivial matters, but the moment a friend showed me this, my heart sank to my knees. We don't need companies putting out these insulting and misleading messages that the only girls who are worth something in life are pretty ones. It's bad enough thousands of teenage girls struggle to discover and develop their own identity during that time in their lives; messages like these are the last thing they need, and they're impressionable; they WILL think Proactiv is right, and that they have a valid point.

Hopefully, with enough coercion, they'll pull this disgusting ad, and perhaps better yet, publicly apologize.