It is a blessing that I took after my folks’ good genes when it came to my skin not being prone to acne or pimples. Sure, breakouts happen from time to time but no more than thrice in a year. And most of them are either triggered by sleepless nights or a facial bump that got irritated because I can’t keep my hands off of it.
However, for some girls, especially those in their teenage years, the battle with acne can be long, traumatic and difficult. In some cases, it even leaves long-lasting marks and skin damage. While moisturizers, toners, and other beauty products can help clean, soften and clear up skin, sometimes acne scar treatments may be necessary to address such problems.
Truth be told, a handful lot of acne treatments have introduced themselves in the market, but the question has always been which is one really works. For some years now, benzoyl peroxide has been proven to be the gold standard for treating mild to moderate acne. Proactiv knows this to be true. In a form of topical antimicrobial medicine, an oxidizing agent that specifically kills P. acnes, the bacteria that cause acne breakouts. Benzoyl peroxide also helps to unblock pores and has an anti-inflammatory effect.
Fact:
Benzoyl Peroxide, unlike some acne treatments, is not an antibiotic. In its 50 years of effective use for treatment, there has been no case of its bacterial resistance. Meaning, this is safe to use.
Proactive Solution comes in Micro-crystals (micro-crystal medicine) benzoyl peroxide. This is an exclusive form of benzoyl peroxide (BPO) found in the Proactiv 3-Step System’s Renewing Cleanser (Step 1) and Repairing Treatment (Step 3). A crystalline BPO that is finely milled in order to achieve the pore penetration required to control the acne cycle.
The Proactiv micro-crystal Benzoyl Peroxide features exceptionally small and uniform particles—designed specifically to penetrate pores faster and to be gentler on the skin.
Why exactly is Proactiv Solution with Benzoyl Peroxide superior to other acne treatments, you ask? Allow me to enumerate the usual acne solutions that we have in the market against Proactiv:
Proactiv Solution vs. Soap:
While it may seem counter-intuitive, harsh scrubbing does not unclog your pores any better than gentle cleansing, and may actually worsen your acne. Cleansing and scrubbing only reduce surface oils and dead skin cells. Many people use harsh products, laden with alcohol and foamy surfactants (detergents) somehow wash the acne off their skin.
However, these actions often produce irritation and worsen acne. It is possible to gently unplug pores with fine polyethylene beads that gently relieve impacted pores without irritation. Proactiv Solution does not contain any surfactants that can harsh the skin. Proactiv® Renewing Cleanser is formulated without the harsh detergents, known as surfactants, found in many other cleansers. Surfactants, which are responsible for a sudsy foam and lather, strip skin of its essential oils. As a result, the skin’s barrier becomes damaged and vulnerable to irritation and infection.
Proactiv Solution vs. Salicylic Acid:
Salicylic acid in a cleanser breaks through the plug but does not kill the P. acnes bacteria, the bacteria that cause acne breakouts. Acne is caused by a variety of factors that take place below the surface of the skin. That’s why it’s best to
gently wash with a medicated cleanser with proven ingredients, like benzoyl peroxide, or sulfur, that can penetrate the skin to help unclog pores, kill bacteria and/or reduce inflammation.
Proactive Solution vs. Oral Drugs:
When acne is severe, dermatologists sometimes prescribe oral drugs like isotretinoin or hormonal pills. There are studies that support that these methods are extremely effective for severe cases, but because of the nature of these drugs there are side effects that make it questionable if the benefits truly outweigh the cost. For example, there were reports in 2010 linking suicidal tendencies and psychotic behaviors among acne patients on isotretinoin. Hormonal pills, which are mainly indicated as a contraceptive sometimes causes water retention, weight gain, mood swings, and in the long run, even breast cancer.
As opposed to other acne treatments available in the market, Proactiv Solution does not have these side effects!