In need of a powerful product that banishes blemishes? Considering Proactiv as your product of choice? Read the pros and cons of Proactiv, and learn about a new, revolutionary acne system called SensiClear that works even better and faster.
Acne basics
One of the biggest factors contributing to acne is an inconsistent shedding of dead skin cells. These skin cells build up and mix with sebum, a natural skin moisturizer produced by the body, and block the opening of facial pores. When a pore is plugged, it creates a perfect breeding ground to trap oil and bacteria, causing blemishes and inflammation.
When it comes to acne treatment, it's crucial to balance the skin and prevent blemishes before they appear. The best way to manage acne is to eliminate the environment where acne breeds by clearing dead skin cells and excess oil from the skin's surface using products that fight bacteria and exfoliate. If left untreated, acne can cause facial scarring.
About Proactiv
Developed by two Stanford-trained dermatologists, Proactiv Solution is a Combination Therapy system for healing existing blemishes and stopping new ones from forming. More than just a spot treatment for existing blemishes, Proactiv is designed for use on the entire face, helping to prevent future breakouts and calm the skin. The three products - including the Renewing Cleanser, Revitalizing Toner and Repairing Lotion - in this system work together as a team, combining prescription-strength ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide and sulfur to exfoliate, clear blocked pores and fight bacteria. Soothing botanicals like allantoin, panthenol, aloe and chamomile are added to reduce redness and inflammation.
First, the Renewing Cleanser contains exfoliating ingredients to slough off dead skin cells. Benzoyl peroxide works its way deep into pores, attacking bacteria and healing blemishes. Next, the Revitalizing Toner clears pores by removing excess oil and skin cells. Soothing botanical ingredients are added to balance the skin and prepare the pores for the final step, which is the Repairing Lotion. This oil-free formula contains benzoyl peroxide to treat existing blemishes and prevent acne. Lightweight and soothing, the Repairing Lotion can be applied to the entire face.
People who find benzoyl peroxide to be irritating should decrease use to once per day or every other day. If irritation continues, look for other active ingredients. For example,
SensiClear, a brand new, revolutionary acne-fighting product contains the active ingredients salicylic acid and Retextra - a prescription-strength powerhouse that reduces acne - which people with sensitive skin types can use.
Proactiv's details
According to Proactiv, the three-step system contains the following ingredients:
Renewing Cleanser: benzoyl peroxide 2.5%., 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).
Revitalizing Toner: 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.
Repairing Lotion: benzoyl peroxide 2.5%., 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).
Advantages
- Available to order by phone, at shopping malls or on the company Web site.
- Can be purchased in various package sizes, ranging from $19.95 to $49.95.
Disadvantages
- Excessively drying, especially for sensitive or dry skin types.
- Dr. Hilary E. Baldwin, the vice chairwoman of the dermatology department at the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, tells the New York Times, "You can get the same amount of benzoyl peroxide at a drug store at a fraction of the cost and it will work as well, provided that you use it." She adds that patients with severe acne were unsatisfied with Proactiv and asked for prescription treatments instead.
The bottom line
Benzoyl peroxide, the active ingredient in Proactiv, can be an amazing acne-fighting ingredient for many people. It works by introducing oxygen into the pores to kill acne-causing bacteria. Although most people find that benzoyl peroxide has a dramatic effect on treating their blemishes, this ingredient can be excessively harsh to the skin, causing dryness and flaking. While using a moisturizer can help prevent dryness, some people find that benzoyl peroxide is simply too drying for their skin, in any form.
The newest in acne treatments:
SensiClear with Retextra
SensiClear has undergone extensive clinical research, which has demonstrated its effectiveness to deliver fast results, without irritating the skin. Instead of drying excess oil like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that assists the skin in shedding dead skin cells. 
As mentioned above, even those with sensitive skin can use SensiClear. Like Proactiv, the SensiClear 3-step system contains a purifying cleanser, a balancing toner and an acne treatment lotion that combine to prevent acne while leaving skin fresh and radiant. The accompanying photos illustrate SensiClear's amazing results.
>>Read more about SensiClear