I have received a lot of requests about New Proactiv 3-Step System. It is not surprising because you probably see the advertisements for New Proactiv everywhere. So I am going to review the New Proactiv 3-Step System.
<img alt=”(img:New Proactiv)” style=”width:100px;” src=”http://www.proactiv.com/img/order/select3G/pa3step.png”/>
The #1 question about New Proactiv is how it is different from Original Proactiv. In fact, New Proactiv and Original Proactiv have the same formula. The only difference is that New Proactiv has smaller benzoyl peroxide beads. That is why Proactiv claims that New Proactiv is faster and gentler. Proactiv Revitalizing Toner is unchanged.
Is New Proacitiv better? Yes. Intuitively smaller benzoyl peroxide beads are gentler and penetrate better but Proactiv does not show any experimental proofs.
Is Proactiv 3-Step System overall a good formula? Yes. The essence of Proactiv is the use of benzoyl peroxide, which is commonly agreed to treat acne most effectively. The good thing about Proactiv is that it omits irritants that often show up in acne treatments. In addition, Proactiv Revitalizing Toner is an AHA (glycolic acid) toner, which helps exfoliate and normalize the skin. But Proactiv is not unique, benzoyl peroxide and glycolic acid treatments are widely available nowadays. Proactiv claims that Proactiv benzoyl peroxide is prescription grade. As far as I know, the only difference between prescribed benzoyl peroxide treatments and over-the-counter ones is the percentage of benzoyl peroxide allowed. All the Proactiv 3-Step System products include fragrance. I know that these products would smell bad without fragrance. But skin with acne is sensitive and it will be even better if they can omit the fragrance.
Finally, it is extremely important to use sunscreen when you use Proactiv 3-Step System. Preferably, you should use “mineral” sunscreen with titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide, or sunscreens formulated for sensitive skin.
Proactiv 3-Step System ingredients:
RENEWING CLEANSER (New Proactiv)
Active Ingredient: Benzoyl Peroxide, 2.5%
Inactive Ingredients: water (aqua), magnesium aluminum silicate, glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate, sorbitol, dimethyl isosorbide, disodium PEG-12 dimethicone sulfosuccinate, tridecyl stearate, neopentyl glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, polyethylene, cetyl esters, anthemis nobilis flower extract, sodium hyaluronate, sodium PCA, xanthan gum, tridecyl trimellitate, propylene glycol, Imidazolidinyl urea, methylparaben, propylparaben, fragrance (parfum)
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, imidazolidinyl urea, methylparaben, propylparaben, fragrance (parfum), blue 1 (CI 42090), yellow 5 (CI 19140)
REPAIRING TREATMENT (New Proactiv)
Active Ingredients: Benzoyl Peroxide, 2.5%
Inactive Ingredients: water (aqua), ethoxydiglycol, cyclotetrasiloxane, cyclopentasiloxane, cetearyl alcohol, propylene glycol, dimethicone, glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate, panthenol, allantoin, xanthan gum, ceteareth-20, carbomer, triethanolamine, diazolidinyl urea, methylparaben, propylparaben, fragrance (parfum)