The Ingredients in Proactiv
The Proactiv acne treatment line of products has become well known in recent years due mainly to heavy advertising campaigns that feature paid endorsements from stars like Jessica Simpson, Vanessa Williams, Lindsay Lohan, Ella McPherson, and Kelly Clarkson. No matter how much these celebs brag about Proactiv, the fact is that it is only the ingredients contained by the products that could possibly possess healing powers for your face.
*NOTE* For a full listing of each and every ingredient in each and every Proactiv product please scroll to the bottom of this article.
So, what are Proactiv’s ingredients? Let’s take a look: 
Proactiv acne solutions basic three-component stock package is composed of the Renewing Cleanser, Revitalizing Toner, and the Repairing Lotion. The Renewing Cleanser is first applied. It provides finely macerated apricot pits to unclog pores thus allowing the active ingredient, 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide, to penetrate individual hair follicles and attack bacterium. The inactive ingredients are water and about twenty others that are unknown to all except the chemical engineers amongst us.
The Revitalizing Toner is an alcohol-free substance that further removes dead skin cells and unplugs the pores. Thus it helps to prevent future outbreaks. It lists no active ingredients. It is comprised of water, witch hazel, and several extracts of flowers and fruits. It also contains soothing botanicals such as panthenol and allantoin. It is said to leave the skin in a baby-new, radiant, and fragile state.
The final step of the Proactiv regime is the Repairing Lotion. As with the first step, its only active ingredient is 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide. This is said to be milled, prescription-grade benzoyl peroxide. Other inactive ingredients are again water combined with several hard-to-pronounce chemical elements.
To put it all in a nutshell, Proactiv’s interesting ingredients are benzoyl peroxide, witch hazel, and some herbal extracts. The remainders of the products are simply combinations of water and other inert components. It is noteworthy that the benzoyl peroxide lists possible, and commonly incurred, side effects including drying, itching, flaking, reddening and/or swelling facial flesh. Users are repetitively instructed to apply a sunscreen after each of the twice-daily applications of the products. They are also warned of the bleaching effects of the benzoyl peroxide on the user’s towels, washcloths, carpets and clothing.
A Full Rundown of All the Ingredients in the 3 Proactiv Products
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).
Step 2: Revitalizing Toner
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.
Step 3: Repairing Lotion
Active Ingredient: benzoyl peroxide 2.5%.
Inactive Ingredients: water (aqua), cyclomethicone, ethoxydiglycol, propylene glycol, glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate, cetearyl alcohol, dimethicone, panthenol, allantoin, carbomer, ceteareth-20, xanthan gum, triethanolamine, diazolidinyl urea, methylparaben, propylparaben, fragrance (parfum).
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November 18th, 2007 at 4:18 pm
proactive does not work for all people right.
December 8th, 2007 at 12:49 am
proactiv is crap, teens now days should look at real science
go to a dermatologist, they’re licensed to reduce your skin problems, they’ll give you much more powerful medications such as differin which is a retenoid.
January 7th, 2008 at 11:14 am
You can get the same effects as ProActiv for $15-$20 at any drugstore, supermarket or wal mart.
First use Clean & Clear Continuous Acne Wash (the cheaper kind with benzoyl peroxide, not the Advantage stuff)
Then use Clean & Clear Daily Pore Toner
If your skin is prone to dryness, use an oil free moisturizer like Neutrogena. If you need the exfoliant, use St. Ives Apricot Scrub prior to the acne wash.
Help things along with a treatment of green tea and honey once or twice a week.
Note: NEVER use Clean & Clear Advantage! I tried this and it was wayyy too much salycilic acid and dried my skin out so much.
January 8th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
I beg to differ, Ivan.
I’ve been using proactiv for about a month and I have virtually no acne because of it. My face used to be absolutely and completely covered, so that there wasn’t a square inch without at least some acne in it-but after using proactive my acne is virtually gone.
I tried all sorts of other things. I also went to a dermatologist and I got perscribed all sorts of drugs-but they didn’t work or I got the worst headaches.
After trying the proactiv solution, my acne is gone and I feel a lot more confident in myself because of it.
Real science? I tried “real” science. Then I tried this…and which one got rid of my acne???
Hmmm…..
January 19th, 2008 at 4:10 am
Proactive strips ur skin. I am a beauty therapist and it has ruined so many skins that i see everyday.
Go and see a beauty therapist before a dermatologist. its alot cheaper, if ur therapist then recomends u to go see a dermatologist then do that.
Most teens just need to be cleansing their skin correctly, and have the correct advice given to them.
Proactive is nearly as bad as using soap on ur skin. The product shouldnt even be on the market.
February 29th, 2008 at 10:45 am
[...] item on the list to check out would be the Renewing Cleanser and its main pimple fighting active Proactiv ingredients are 2.5% solution of hydrogen peroxide and it also uses very fine ground apricot pits as a [...]
March 20th, 2008 at 12:59 am
first of all, almost all store bought products like “clean and clear” have all kinds of junk in them that will make skin problems worse. these chemicals are not regulated by the fda. not that the fda really does the best job protecting us but.. whatever. do not buy ANYTHING that says “fragrance” in the ingredients. “fragrance” is not regulated by the fda so that means manufacturer’s can put whatever they like into anything and they don’t have to list it.
second, “Acne is not caused by dirt. This misconception probably comes from the fact that blackheads look like dirt stuck in the openings of pores. The black color is not dirt but simply oxidised keratin. In fact, the blockages of keratin that cause acne occur deep within the narrow follicle channel, where it is impossible to wash them away. These plugs are formed by the failure of the cells lining the duct to separate and flow to the surface in the sebum created there by the body.”
so teens just “cleansing their skin correctly” isn’t going to do a d*mn thing for acne. not all beauticians know what they’re talking about. even my hair dresser that also is an esthetician, believed my hair would grow faster if i trimmed it more often.
do yourself a favor and see a doctor.
June 25th, 2008 at 5:36 am
I had a terrible allergic reaction to Proactiv (no joke!). My allergist couldn’t figure out what ingredient it was, but something in the stuff made my eyes puff up so much I couldn’t open them. It was itchy and red and terrible.
Proactiv worked really well for a few months before I started having the reactions. Now I’m going to a dermatologist to get something that will get rid of my acne without causing other problems.
July 17th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
ew, i just looked at the ingredients, and it says “parfum”. why would any good skin care for FACE contain parfum?
July 22nd, 2008 at 12:22 am
well let me tell u that ppl who make stuff like proactiv dont no what they r doing compared to doctor.Just keep ur face clean by not bieng lazy and start cleaning ur face with water twice a day.
Once in the morning ang once before u go to bed and u shouldnt have any problem
July 27th, 2008 at 7:01 am
To the idiot Sean above me. You simplify things far too much. When you see people with pimples don’t judge them to be lazy and unclean because sometimes just washing your face with water isn’t enough. I wash my face regularly to no avail. (sans soap)
As for this proactive stuff. I would never buy it as it all seems far too gimmicky and contains the same active ingredient Benzoyl Peroxide of products dermatologists recommended before to me. I can’t wait to get my red itchy dry face!
There aren’t any miracle products available. I suppose accutane works but hell it makes you suicidal according to some research and probably isn’t a healthy choice at all.
July 30th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Who ever said that proactiv works for everyone who uses lied. It is for those who can use the product everyday in order to see results. People who use proactiv atleast twice a day will be guranteed results. Your face may not be cleared completly but yopu will see a diffrence within a few days. If you don’t, others will.
September 8th, 2008 at 7:24 am
I aggree with everything Birdy said [other than...the trimming your hair thing. that's a fact hun. everyone knows you trim of just a bit and it will grow faster. otherwise, the dead ends just continue to spilt and weaken your hair....etc]
Anywho…NEVER EVER EVER use Apricot scrub, ESPESSIALLY if you have acne. I’m a licsencesed esthetician, so.. I’ve learned all about the harmful effects of harsh scrubs and seen the negative effects myself myself. If you want a good exfoliant, find a liqued exfoliant w/ NO granuals. granuals just open pores to spread bacteria..and cause redness, irritation and often times dryness to sensitive skin.
I do like proactive, but even the proactive wash can be too abbrassive to use daily. It’s probably better to only use every other day or so..and if you must use daily, only use it at night. Try something oil-free and very gentle to use when you arn’t using proactive, like Cetaphil® Gentle Skin Cleanser or Aveda all-sensitive cleanser. Cetaphil is great though for those inbetween days and will help w/ redness and irritation..or any extra dryness brought on by acne products..and it’s oil-free and non-comedogenic [meaning it won't clog your pores].
My onlu other suggestion is..trying to find a product with a small amount of salyslic acid. It tends to be less harsh and drying than benzoyl peroxide. It also has anti-inflammitory qualities that will help with swelling and redness. It is not to be over-used either though.
September 14th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
I have not tried Proactive because I know it will be too strong for my skin. I did try Murad but it too was too strong even every other day. I had much better results when I used gentle cleansers with a good moisturizer morning and night. Cetaphil, Aveeno are affordable and simple gentle cleansers. Moisturized skin is healthy skin…drying your skin with chemicals (like scrubbing) could make your skin more irritated. Lets face it we all have different challenges with our skin and NO product will work for everyone. See a dermatologist if you can afford.
September 19th, 2008 at 6:02 am
I wash my Face with Neutrogena Transparent Facial Bar, original or acne formula, in the morning in the shower. After, I tone my face with just regular store brand Witch Hazel. After it dries I use a little dab of Clean & Clear Persagel 10 (which has 10% Benzoil Peroxide), and I mix in a little dab of Aloe Vera Moisturizing Gel (Clear). THIS WORKS PERFECTLY!
Just get a good cleanser, Benzoil Peroxide of some sort, Witch Hazel and an Oil Free Moisturizer, And you’ve got your own “ProActive” for under $12.00.
The only reason they’re so big, is because they get celebs and wear those silly white lab coats.
November 10th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
I have used proactive..it was made by japan..And it wasn’t like monthly..Use and stop,I was like that..that’s why it didn’t work at all.
November 13th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Stop using proactive right away. It’s the worst stuff out there on the market. It has bleach in it that strips the face, and that’s why it works so well. It’s not a long term fix. Everytime you use it, your putting bleach all over your face. That’s disgusting. Try getting all the ingreients list. They can’t give it to you. What does that say about the product? Arbonne is alot safer for you.
November 14th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Proactive is amazeing it really works good on mi skin &&makes mi skin mosturized with the lotion. it works really well &doesn’t leave a greesey after filling.
im in school right now &probably shouldn’t be doing this, but i don care. Lol.
thank youuu dermotologists.
(:
November 18th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
which is worse the original or the cure? Please go to http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com and look up the ingredients in each of the mentioned products, then go to http://www.safecosmetics.org and find something that will not pickle your brain.
December 9th, 2008 at 12:53 am
i am sixteen years old and my acne is somewhat bad. It gets better and then gets worse. i have ben to the doctors and they gave me erythromyacin. it did absolutly nothing. my self esteem is low i feel like people look at my pimples instead of me for who i am. i need help!!!! i have tried almost everything.
December 28th, 2008 at 1:50 am
You know what this company spends more money on? Its advertisement and getting celebrities to show up and say, “I love this product!” instead of spending it on on time to get this product right.
And hey I learned something today, and thats the reason why I showed up here in the first place. In products you’ll find in the back saying, PH correct with a number on it. The correct balanced number for PH is 5.5. I came here to see what was the balance for this product, and it said 3.?-4.?, anything lower or higher than 5.5 can damage your skin.
My friend used Proactive and he said that his pimples traveled everytime he put it on. He applies it in some part of the skin, and its almost like those same pimples dissapear but appear in another part of the skin almost like it its trying to escape from it. His face is pale and sensitive. He’s got some huge bags under his eyes now and looks restless. I ordered proactive but I immediately returned them after my friend’s skin changed dramatically, from bad to worse. Im looking for another product now.
Ive been doing some homework cuz I want to maintain my face young. Now that Im not using any products Im noticing that my face is looking old. These are the proprietary formulas that I believe would work for me:
• a product thats “Botanically based”, I checked if this product was based on herbal products and doesnt say anything botanical
•”pH correct” of 5.5 of course
•”Never Tested on animals”: I love animals, poor little creatures
•No “Mineral Oils” on products.
•A product that cuts out the middle man that does the advertisement to have enough man power to really test the product.
•and my god, to say the truth that a dermatologist really test the product. Alot of salespeople misinterpret and overemphasize this fact.
•Formulated w/out animal products or by-products
• Formulated w/out dyes or chemical fragrances
If anyone finds a good company that uses this formula please let me know.
phew, I feel like Im writing an angry letter or an essay for school lol. Well we were discussing this at class with my mates and someone brought up the pH thing, googled it in today and learned more about it. interesting stuff.
Well anyway, hope everyone had a happy holiday, and happy early new year.
January 4th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
I would look into ALL these ingredients especially the following:
propylene glycol, and ALL the parabens used, methyl-,butyl-,ethyl and proply- which are all linked to cancer, check it out for yourself. Regardless of if it works or not, do you really know what your putting into your skin?
January 7th, 2009 at 7:35 am
okay well for those of you who are trashing proactiv you can think what you want. For me proactiv has helped me boost my self confidence and really to a lot of teens that is a problem. So if it is helping them clear their skin and boost their confidence then why trash it? I know it has made my mom happier to see my confidence boost from where it was. I don’t think that it is right to tell someone who is actually happy with the results what to do. Have your opinions but don’t ruin it for the rest of us!
January 7th, 2009 at 7:47 am
and again to back proactiv up about the bleach comment…………… there is some form of benzoyl poroxide or salicylic acid in all face wash products not including organic!
January 20th, 2009 at 2:49 am
i’m very confused! i’m trying to decide whether to buy proactive and i decided not to because it has bad chemicals in it that are similar to bleach. But some people were saying it really helped them and cleared their skin. What do i do, it all sounds a bit scatry to me. I want to clear my face!
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:29 pm
i dont have acne i just sometimes get dry skin and a few spot and i dont want either..does anyone have any advice??? my family are visiting me in a few weeks and i want to look my best with perfect skin…quick help???
February 13th, 2009 at 7:47 am
I used pro active for years - it worked incredibly - never again had skin problems I loved it - but then a few months I started getting a weird reaction - Id wake up with reddness, and my face was swollen, my eyes were so swollen that it was as though they were closed, Im very upset because how can I continue using this if it causes such a bad reaction, i dont get why it used to work for me and now it doesnt!! I am very upset because I have tried all sorts of prescrips from my doctor and nothing ever worked until i found pro active and now i cant use it anymore!!
April 28th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
WoW, I have mixed feelings about the product, AND yet I AM going to try it. I use aveeno, went to http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com/wordsearch_free.php?query=aveeno&&start=10 and was kinda scared by what I found about that too. As for proactiv containing “bleach”, I don’t think they can actually do that. I hope they can’t because I am allergic to bleach and I guess I’ll have a fat *ss law suit against them if it does