Proactiv

One of the most popular acne treatments to ever hit the market, Proactiv is a worldwide product marketed by the idea that it was developed by 2 dermatologists.

Others using their main ingredient, benzyl peroxide have been developed before and since, but none have quite measured up to its marketing, not even those Proactiv imitators such as Acne Free. But despite their main claim of treating acne, Proactiv also claims to reduce acne by getting rid of blackheads and shrinking pores, largely with their toner.

As one might find, there are many ways and many combinations of ways to kill blackheads. First one might say that you want to get rid of the dead skin cells by exfoliating. The Proactiv scrub has this.

Second, you might say that you should allow oxygen into the pores to kill bacteria, there is no verification that Proactiv does this, and it may well be the most important part. Finally, you want to shrink the pores so that more bacteria cannot get in.

Proactiv supposedly does this, but does not actually use astringents such as witch hazel that would do that.

Proactiv Ingredients

Step 1: Renewing Cleanser
Active Ingredient:benzoyl peroxide 2.5%.
Inactive Ingredients: water (aqua), magnesium aluminum silicate, glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate, disodium dimethicone copolyol sulfosuccinate, sorbitol, dimethyl isosorbide, polyethylene, tridecyl stearate, neopentyl glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, tridecyl trimellitate, cetyl esters, anthemis nobilis flower extract, sodium hyaluronate, sodium PCA, propylene glycol, xanthan gum, imidazolidinyl urea, methylparaben, propylparaben, fragrance (parfum).

Ingredients:

water (aqua), glycolic acid, hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) extract, anthemis nobilis flower extract, rosa canina fruit extract, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, sodium PCA, panthenol, glycerin, propylene glycol, allantoin, polysorbate-20, hydroxyethylcellulose, sodium hydroxide, benzophenone-4, tetrasodium EDTA, methylparaben, propylparaben, imidazolidinyl urea, fragrance (parfum), blue 1, yellow 5.

According to the official Proactiv website, side effects include only dryness, which can apparently be remedied by using their moisturizer included in the basic pack. But in truth, even customers who have used the whole combination often report dryness, redness, increased sun sensitivity, increased acne, allergic reactions, etc, again even when using the Proactiv moisturizer.

Conclusion

In analysis of the Proactiv formula, it lacks many of the essential ingredients required to effectively treat blackheads. It also has quite a few side effects that naturally the Proactiv manufacturers will not name.

There are literally hundreds of acne treatments, both over the counter and prescription that use benzyl peroxide in different concentrations. But if you are looking for something different, we suggest Oxycerin, which has tea tree oil, a gentler formula with the same positive effects as benzyl peroxide.