An interactive dispenser, used to provide a powdered, liquid or personal use or care chemical, can provide a message prompted by the proximity of a user to a sensor. Personal care liquids can include hand cleaners, hand and body lotion, sun blocks, sun screens, poison ivy treatment materials, burn ointments, body powders, solid hand soap bars, etc. A variety of messages can be provided to the user including a reminder to use the materials provided by the dispenser, instructional information, safety information, use directions for the chemical, use directions for the dispenser, or any other message. The message can be provided in a visual message such as an electronic scroll, an aural message derived from an electronic voice synthesizer. Such a message can be combined with a musical program, other light displays, etc. The sensor can be mounted on the dispenser in the form of a push button, an actuator triggered by the installation of new chemical, can be a motion sensor detecting the presence of a user, can be a remote sensor sensing the presence of a user at a remote site from the dispenser, involving the use of equipment used in conjunction with the dispenser such as a urinal, toilet, bathroom sink, etc. The overall purpose of coupling a user proximity generated prompt to generating a message is the improved efficacy of use of the dispenser or its chemical contents.