How Proactiv Works

Revolutionizing healthy skincare

Ready to leave your breakouts behind? Proactiv’s dermatologist-tested approach to skincare balances gentle formulas with powerful acne-fighting actives. With three unique acne treatment systems, each with three synergistic steps, proactiv has the right system to help you achieve and maintain clear, healthy-looking skin you’re proud to show off.

Wondering, "Does proactiv work?" As you incorporate proactiv into your regular routine, you’ll slowly start to see visible improvements to your skin, just like these people who have transformed their skin with proactiv.

How to use proactiv: combination therapy

Combination Therapy® is key to keeping your skin clear and healthy-looking. Our multi-step, healthy-skin regimens are a part of our DNA — because they work! (Just ask some of these customers.)

It may seem like pimples pop up out of nowhere. But the truth is, your visible breakout is the end result of a cycle that started weeks earlier when your pores became clogged with dead skin cells and excess oil, creating a playground for p. acnes bacteria to feed and breed — leading to those throbbing, red, tender bumps now making your day miserable.

That’s why you need to take care of your skin from the start — so you can stop chasing pimples. Just like you brush your teeth every day (not just the ones that have cavities), it’s crucial to treat your entire face instead of just the pimples you can actually see. Plus, if you just treated the pimples without solving the problem of excess skin cell buildup and overproduction of oil to compensate for dryness, you could end up worsening your acne issues.

Our Combination Therapy that revolutionized skincare is a comprehensive preventative strategy that provides you with a complete, multi-step skincare regimen with proven acne-fighting medicine. Our systems attack acne at every stage of the cycle to help stop current breakouts in their tracks and inhibit new ones from forming.

Each of our systems in the proactiv family use the Combination Therapy approach to help you address your specific skincare needs. Not sure how to use proactiv? Don’t worry – it’s super simple and we’ll tell you everything you’ll need to know on your journey to clear skin. To get the healthy-looking skin you’ve always wanted, try proactiv today and experience the visible improvement Combination Therapy can make for your skin.

Which proactiv acne-fighting system is right for you?

Proactiv Solution® (for oily & combination skin with acne)

Proactiv Solution is our original acne treatment system that helps treat and prevent breakouts for those with oily and combination skin.

The products in this system are specially formulated to work together to treat and prevent breakouts for most skin types, especially oily and combination. Benzoyl peroxide kills acne-causing bacteria and works hard alongside glycolic acid, an exfoliating alpha hydroxy acid that helps unclog pores.

Includes
  • Proactiv Renewing Cleanser
  • Proactiv Revitalizing Toner
  • Proactiv Repairing Treatment

  • Proactiv+® (gentle acne-fighting formulas for sensitive skin)

    Proactiv Plus is a gentler option for more sensitive complexions, as this routine features moisturizing, nourishing formulas to address acne while keeping your skin hydrated. Plus, our micronized benzoyl peroxide was designed to target and quickly help kill acne-causing bacteria in the pores while minimizing dryness and irritation.

    Includes:
  • Proactiv+ Skin Smoothing Exfoliator
  • Proactiv+ Pore Targeting Treatment
  • Proactiv+ Complexion Perfection Hydrator

  • ProactivMD® (treat stubborn breakouts with our powerful retinoid — no prescription required)

    The ProactivMD trio is ideal for treating stubborn breakouts — and the redness and inflammation that often appear alongside them. It stars Adapalene Gel 0.1%: our prescription-strength retinoid formula that works on a cellular level to clear skin, while helping restore even tone and texture by clearing acne.

    Includes:
  • ProactivMD Ultra-Gentle Cleanser
  • ProactivMD Adapalene Gel 0.1%
  • ProactivMD Ultra-Hydrating Moisturizer
  • As you can see, achieving clear skin with proactiv is as easy as 1-2-3. Choose your kit, take your before photo and let your journey to healthy-looking skin begin!


    Proactiv Clean™ (for sensitive skin to clear mild acne)

    Proactiv Clean™ was developed for sensitive skin to clear mild acne and occasional breakouts. Formulated with proven acne-clearing ingredients like mineral-derived sulfur and salicylic acid, and skin-loving ingredients like azelaic acid, chamomile and bakuchiol, this clean and gentle routine smooths and helps calm skin, while helping to clear blemishes. It’s also proactively formulated without parabens, phthalates, sulfates, cyclic silicones and 100+ no-no ingredients.

    Includes:
  • Proactiv Clean™ Mineral Acne Cleanser
  • Proactiv Clean™ Azelaic Pore Perfector
  • Proactiv Clean™ Acne Clearing Hydrator