When you receive your order of Proactiv, you will probably tear it open like a kid at Christmas. After examining the products, you’ll need to read the instructions in order to begin your new therapy, dreaming of a popular social life and feeling like Jessica Simpson.
In the stock three product kit, you’ll receive Renewing Cleanser, Revitalizing Toner, and Repairing Lotion – pretty impressive. The first step, the Renewing Cleanser, is a
combination of finely macerated apricot pits and a solution containing benzoyl peroxide as an active ingredient. It’s simply applied with a cotton ball in circular motions on the effected area. The apricots act to exfoliate dead skin cells and unplug infected pores to allow penetration of the benzoyl peroxide. The benzoyl peroxide then goes to work attacking the bacterium that has developed within the swollen follicle.
Step two, the Revitalizing Toner is next in line to help combat your horrific pimple pizza. Proactiv states that this is a refreshing, alcohol free substance to remove dead skin cells that would otherwise reclog your freshly exposed hair follicle openings. It is also said to remove excess oils leaving your skin looking and feeling radiantly new.
The Repairing Lotion then follows to finish the basic Proactiv system. Its active ingredient, like the 
Renewing Cleanser, is a 2.5 percent solution of benzoyl peroxide. It acts to deeply penetrate the follicles and attack developing bacterium at their source before they ever have the first chance to cause infection, i.e. zits. Created with soothing botanicals including allantoin, panthenol, aloe, and chamomile, it’s said to leave the skin feeling healthy and hydrated.
Of the reviews from Proactiv consumers that do not recommend the product, the most common complaint seems to be dry, flakey, itchy, red, and/or swollen skin. Conveniently, Proactiv offers a supplemental product called Oil Free Moisture with SPF15. Rather or not the Proactiv brand sunscreen is purchased, it is still recommended for all Proactiv users who may at any point encounter sun rays. The newly exposed, radiant skin is very susceptible to burning and chaffing.
On the other end of the spectrum are those that exhibit shining, oily skin. Proactiv again offers a supplemental solution called “Daily Oil Control”. It aids in keeping pores unclogged, keeping makeup streak-free, and your skin from shining. If this all wasn’t enough to win your battle with zits, a sulfur-based mask is recommended for use 2 or 3 times weekly in addition to the other steps. Each of the three products in the Proactiv stock kit is to be applied twice every day, morning and evening, to maximize benefit.