The bottom line: there are countless stories of patients who walk into dermatology offices frustrated after months of taking expensive "cosmetic products". But mainly they complain about Proactiv.

Is the marketing compelling? Yes. Is it the most effective treatment for acne? Not by a loooong shot. Ultimately, you should always see a doctor instead of experimenting with over-hyped marketing campaigns sprinkled paid celebutantes. Do you really think P Diddy knows anything about skin care? Would you go visit Jessica Simpson if you had colon cancer? Come on…it’s your face! Go see a doctor.

There is absolutely nothing that benzoyl peroxide can do if you have moderate to severe cystic acne. And that’s what a lot of teenagers have. The ingredients in Proactiv do not address the main concern for persistent and severe acne- hormones. Yes, Proactiv is the one of the most well known acne treatments in the US. If you are having acne skin problems, and have decided to use Proactiv, you may want to look into pros and cons of using Proactiv.

Proactiv can be effective for mild acne. Proactiv attacks the blocked pores and buildup of bacteria, which are the two main things that lead to acne skin problem. It uses exfoliants to unclog pores and benzoyl peroxide to kill bacteria which are responsible for acne skin problems. It has to be used regularly though whether you have acne problems or not. It could help avoid new acne from occurring. There are also a lot of products and steps- which can get confusing.

Every product in this world has both pros and cons. Proactiv can cause redness, peeling and stinging because of the harsh chemicals. People who cannot tolerate the active ingredients in Proactiv have to limit their use to once a day or less. Also, the results generally take a long time (maybe 8 weeks) to get an end result. The benzoyl peroxide in Proactiv can bleach clothes, towels, pillow cases, and even hair. If you are not a fan of harsh chemicals, you may want to try Ayurvedic and organic remedies. To no one’s surprise, a lot of these methods are more effective than most chemicals on the OTC market.

Proactiv does not cure acne, and its affect varies with skin types. If you have moderate to severe acne, painful acne cysts, or scarring from acne, then Proactiv would not be the appropriate option to treat you.