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Smileactives
Summary
Smileactives sells teeth whitening products with hydrogen peroxide to give you a cleaner, brighter smile. There’s plenty of evidence that these products work, but many customers found the subscription ordering process to be misleading.
Pros
- Clinical evidence supports the use of hydrogen peroxide for teeth whitening
- Works as described for many users
- Option to make one-time purchases or sign up for a subscription
Cons
- Some instances of pain and irritation
- Doesn't work for all users
- Many users didn't realize they were signing up for a subscription program
- You may have difficulties canceling your order
Smileactives Review: A Detailed Look
By Lydia Noyes
Updated on: Jun 23, 2020
Smileactives is an oral health company that sells whitening products. Founder Robert Eric Montgomery is a biochemist and inventor who claims to have spent the past 30 years developing oral health products that make it possible for people to improve their teeth’s appearance affordably at home.
Smileactives sells three products: whitening gel, whitening pen, and a toothbrush. In this analysis, we’ll look closer at the effectiveness of its whitening products to help you decide if they are worth it.
Power Whitening Gel (3.8-oz)
Price: $24.95 + $4.99 shipping, or subscribe for $19.96 and free shipping.
Designed to work on all types of teeth, including natural ones, crowns, veneers, and even dentures.
Smileactives’ signature whitening gel is designed to remove stains by penetrating your tooth enamel. You’re meant to pair it with regular toothpaste every time you brush your teeth for visible whitening within 30 days.
This gel relies on Polyclean, which is Smileactive’s proprietary technology. It purportedly works to create lots of foam that reaches deep into tooth grooves to remove stains better than traditional toothpaste.
The company claims that this technology is safe for all forms of dental work and can be used daily to remove stains from coffee, tea, red wine, and other foods.
The gel contains a 9% concentration of hydrogen peroxide. This common antiseptic ingredient is frequently found in teeth whitening products because it produces a bleaching effect that lightens your teeth.
The level of lightening depends on the peroxide’s concentration and how long you leave it on.
However, more isn’t necessarily better. One study found that concentrations over 20% can lead to tooth damage and pain for the user. Concentrations of around 10% were still sufficient for whitening teeth but were associated with fewer side effects.
Smileactives references a clinical study online where 16 participants experienced an average of a six-shade improvement to their teeth after using the gel for 30 days, and 100% of participants reported whiter teeth overall.
However, this is a small study that didn’t have a control group or look at the effectiveness of other whitening products.
Advanced Teeth Whitening Pen (0.11-oz)
Price: $18 plus $4.99 shipping, or subscribe for $14.40 and free shipping.
Designed both for quick touchups and deep treatments, the Advanced Teeth Whitening Pen is claimed to whiten your smile in as few as seven days. This twist-action pen works to paint lightening formula onto each tooth for a quick whitening effect.
To use, you’ll twist the dial on the pen’s bottom to disperse gel unto the applicator tip. You’ll then brush the gel unto the teeth you want to treat in a thin, even layer.
Leave it in place and refrain from eating or drinking for the next twenty minutes so it can sink in. You can use the pen up to four times a day to maximize your results, though it works best after brushing your teeth.
According to Smileactive’s clinical study, participants whitened their smiles by an average of six shades after using the pen two to four times a day. This seven-day study involved just ten participants, so keep that in mind when interpreting these results.
As with the power gel, this product’s active ingredient is hydrogen peroxide, this time at a 12% concentration.
Analysis of Customer Reviews
Eleven customers left reviews for Smileactives on our website, which average 1.2-stars out of five. There are also reviews for Smileactives products on Amazon and QVC – most average around 3.0-stars.
Common Compliments:
- Simple to use, quick results
- Effective stain removal on teeth
- Teeth looked lighter after several months of product use
- The pen was easy to use and didn’t lead to tooth sensitivity
Common Complaints:
- Some didn’t notice any improvements after use
- A few users experienced sore mouths and blistered lips after use
- Not all customers knew when they were signing up for an auto-ship program
- Some found it difficult to cancel their orders
- Expense return policy shipping and handling costs
- Pricing system may be misleading
Return Policy and Membership Program
Smileactives products are covered by a 60-day satisfaction guarantee. If you don’t love your purchase, you can return the products (even if used) for a full refund, minus return shipping costs.
You have the option to sign up for Smileactive’s membership program. If you do so, then one month after your first order, and every three months after, you will be sent a new three-month supply of your purchase.
You’ll be charged three monthly payments at the membership price ($19.99 for the gel, $14.40 for the pen), plus $2.99 per month in shipping costs (shipping is only free for your initial purchase).
You can adjust your membership setting through your online account to add new products, pause or delay delivery, or even cancel your subscription altogether.
Popular Alternatives to Smileactives
| Smileactives | Snow Teeth Whitening | AuraGlow | HiSmile | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price for Whitening Kit | $24.99 (gel) or $18 (pen) | $149 | $59.99 | $59.99 |
| Products Included in Whitening Kit |
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| Is Subscription Available? | Yes, save 20% with subscription | Yes, save 15% on serum refills | Yes, save 25% on gel refills | Yes, save 15% on gel refills |
| Active Ingredients | Hydrogen peroxide (9–12%) | Hydrogen peroxide (6%–18%) | Carbamide peroxide (35% and 44%) | Phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid (PAP), Hydroxyapatite, Potassium Nitrate |
| Reviews | 1.2, 11 reviews (HighYa) | 3, 22 reviews (HighYa) | 4.4, 13,700 reviews (Amazon) | 3.7, 155 reviews (HighYa) |
When comparing these four brands, one key difference is that Snow, HiSmile, and AuraGlow all include application trays with LED lights for the tooth whitening process. The idea is that this light activates the whitening gel to give you faster, more substantial results than applying the gel alone.
There’s just one problem—there isn’t much evidence that it works. In fact, a 2014 study found that using a light activator while whitening your teeth has little to no impact on the overall results compared to using a serum alone.
In other words, Smileactives may offer an advantage because you aren’t paying for a product you won’t use.
Ingredients-wise, Smileactives is most similar to Snow, as both rely on hydrogen peroxide for bleaching. This compound is safe and effective when used appropriately.
Carbamide peroxide is another bleaching agent that’s used successfully to whiten teeth. It’s slower acting than hydrogen peroxide, but at the right concentrations, you can expect similar results.
“A product with 30% carbamide peroxide is equivalent to 10% hydrogen peroxide. Both substances can give you great effects,” shares Dr. Mike Golpa, dentist and CEO of the G4byGolpa dental implant centers.
HiSmile’s ingredients, in contrast, claim to offer a peroxide-free alternative. For instance, PAP is a bleaching agent that’s been found in clinical studies to successfully whiten teeth better than placebo without putting your enamel at risk.
Choosing between the four, we think there’s evidence each brand can temporarily whiten your teeth.
The Bottom Line
Smileactives products promise to make it simple to have access to quality home teeth whitening products.
The company’s range of whitening gels and pens contain an acceptable amount of hydrogen peroxide to offer lightening benefits, though some users complained of sensitivity and irritation after use.
There’s plenty of evidence that these products will successfully whiten your smile if you use them over time.
One thing to be aware of is Smileactive’s subscription program. It seems to catch many customers by surprise and will significantly increase how much you’re paying for these products at a time. Make sure you are only making one-time purchases until you decide whether to upgrade your order to a subscription.
Customer Reviews
Posted on Oct 13, 2019
Ripoff
You are a ripoff! I saw your ad on TV and thought I was placing a one time order for your product. Three weeks later I check my bank account and find more charges so I contact your customer service department to cancel and I find out that not only did you charge me approximately $ 20, I'm informed that you'll be charging me an additional $40. I NEVER ASKED FOR ANY MORE PRODUCTS FROM YOU. Then I'm told that I have to return the shipment that I didn't ask for and pay for shipping and then 2 months from now I'll get a refund. You should be required to notify people when the original order is placed about reoccurring charges, but then you probably wouldn't sell anything. Not only am I dissatisfied with your product but using a "BAIT AND SWITCH" is a disgusting way to run your business. You should be shut down and fined.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Helpful Review?
84 People Have Voted
Posted on Oct 19, 2019
Auto billing scam
I received my first offer of buy one get one free and had 60 days to try it. They sent another package within 30 days and billed me again. I immediately called their customer service and they reassured me this would never happen again, and that my account was canceled. Yet here we are again, another month and another auto-billing charge. I went to my PayPal account and settings and then payments and made sure that I canceled any auto-billing - hopefully, this time it works. I would not trust or buy from them: it is a recurring auto-bill scam. I state this because I spent a good amount of time with their representative by phone canceling any future payments in September of 2019.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Helpful Review?
67 People Have Voted
Posted on Dec 9, 2019
Don't do it! It's a gimmick to take your money.
Don’t do business with this company, smilactives. It is a real mission is to take your money by contradicting everything they say. I received my package on 11/02 and started using it. I’ve seen NO significant change on my teeth. Since I had a 60-day money-back guaranty to try it, I thought why not. WRONG! After 30 days of you receiving this product, they are already sending you a full-size supply for $59.83, whether or not you want it. I called customer service, my account has been canceled, no future product will be sent (I pray this is true), but the full-size bottle of $59.83 can’t be canceled, although it’s not shipped out yet it’s impossible to stop this shipment. I was told the charge of $24.95 is not the full charge; it’s just a charge to be sure there are enough funds in the account, before the package is sent out. The charge of $59.83 is the final amount. So although the package has not shipped out and the $59.83 has not been charged, it cannot be canceled. Don’t get this product it’s a gimmick. This company is just after your money, it’s a scam.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Helpful Review?
56 People Have Voted
Posted on Apr 9, 2020
Doesn't work that well and the way they bill is dishonest.
I ordered and paid for the samples, believing that if I didn't want any more of their product, I could cancel and not be billed for more. I didn't see any difference so I contacted them to cancel any further orders. This is what was sent to me:
"Here's some information on how our billing process works: when you place an order for an introductory kit at the special low member price, you also enroll in our convenient replenishment program. After the initial order, you'll be sent an Extra Large shipment of our amazing Smileactives products. For your convenience, you are billed in three monthly installments instead of paying the whole amount at one time. As part of your member benefits, each installment is the same low price as your introductory kit. Your last shipment was on 3/25/2020 with a total cost of $72.60. There is a balance of $48.07 which will be charged on the following dates: 4/25/2020 - $24.04, 5/26/2020 - $24.03."
I told them, "You people are pretty slick and sneaky. The way you charge and the amount you charge was not explained very well, if at all. If I had known about how you do business, I wouldn’t have purchased any of your products in the first place."
I'm going to contact the BBB and tell them what a scam they are pulling.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Helpful Review?
43 People Have Voted
Posted on Apr 13, 2020
A racket
The way this company misguides people about how they do billing is quite a racket. What is unclear is that when you make your initial purchase, you are automatically made a member. Then try to cancel and you are informed that you have a balance over $70. It’s disgraceful.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Helpful Review?
39 People Have Voted
Posted on Mar 16, 2020
Try product longer, postpone FUTURE MAILING/BILLING
Tried this product for 2 weeks and saw no difference whatsoever in this period of time. Rather than experience more shipments or auto-billing, I called to cancel. The representative offered me more time to try the product (called in March), they offered to extend MY trial use of the buy one get one free until May, and I was told the product really takes 60 days to try and see results. I was promised no further shipments or billings would occur (my account remains active but postponed). The customer reviews I am reading here now has me very worried that I was just lured into a condition whereby no matter what I discussed, and no matter what they assured me on the phone, I'll experience future billings whether additional product is mailed out or not. I plan to call back and just outright cancel. These practices seem very shady to me and I don't want to play that game. I'd gladly pay for a desirable working product, but not a money auto billing scam. If the product takes 60 days to work, then why don't they give you 60 days rather than 30 days to try it before future shipments and auto-billing at $59+ per month?
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Helpful Review?
36 People Have Voted
Posted on Feb 29, 2020
Terrible
Not only are these people dishonest and deceitful, but the product is a ripoff - doesn't work, period! I hate people that sell you a low price entry and not disclose that you just signed up for auto-billing for the next 3 months. If you were that confident in your product then people would rebuy - but no you have to be dishonest to sell the junk.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Helpful Review?
34 People Have Voted
Posted on Mar 14, 2020
Cost is ridiculous
The cost for one 3.8 oz tube is not $35. That is a big fat lie. For one 3.8 oz tube you are billed $22.94 each month over a period of 3 months. So that one 3.8 oz will cost you $68.82. I am filing a consumer fraud complaint with my state.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Helpful Review?
32 People Have Voted
Posted on May 29, 2020
Product may be ok but company is NOT
Would never do business with the company again, beware of their policies. Haven't even used the product long enough to be sure it works and they are sending a 3-month shipment without notice. They will charge the shipment in 3 successive months, if I return it, the shipping and handling deducts 1/3 of my refund.
Length of Use: Less than 3 months
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Pros and Cons
No “pros” were specified in this review
Sent 3 months without notice when I have not even used it 1 month
Return policy shipping and handling is a rip-off
Haven't used product long enough to be sure it works but I don't buy from a company with such crummy policies
Helpful Review?
30 People Have Voted
Posted on May 21, 2020
Short and sweet
Two points:
1. Product does seem to brighten teeth after the first month of "Free buy one get one free Trial for 19.99..."
2. Feel scammed that the free trial was not really free - but is going to cost me $74.00 + change; because I was UNKNOWINGLY "auto-enrolled" without my permission at the outset. Used a service to pay the $19.99 + shipping + tax...and cannot easily remove my payment method to TERMINATE THIS SUBSCRIPTION.
DUNNED AGAIN TODAY FOR $49.07 I DO NOT FEEL I OWE.
Keeping product because I will not pay return shipping...
Order at your own risk!
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Helpful Review?
27 People Have Voted
Posted on Jun 2, 2020
Product works modestly but company added a scam subscription without permission
After trying the product for a month a surprise replacement product arrives. It is part of an ongoing subscription which I had not agreed to purchase.
In addition, the website contains no way to cancel an order.
Length of Use: Less than 3 months
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Pros and Cons
No “pros” were specified in this review
Deceptive sales
Website is impossible to use to cancel items
Helpful Review?
27 People Have Voted
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