There are two very popular acne products on the market that are topical lotions (applied directly to the skin) to clear up acne. Proactiv and Clearasil. Proactiv has become very popular in recent years, while Clearasil has been around for many years.

proactive solution

Proactiv is the new kid on the block. He’s probably seen the infomercials, ads and kiosks in malls promoting the Proactiv system and the pretty tanned photo of Vanessa Williams or Jessica Simpson. Proactiv is a three-step system consisting of a cleanser, toner, and repair lotion. The cleanser has a main ingredient of benzoyl peroxide, the main ingredients of the toners are glycolic acid and glycerin and the repair lotion also has a main ingredient of benzoyl peroxide.

What I really like about the Proactiv system is the fact that it is a very integrated system and should treat your skin properly by having a system that takes care of every aspect of skin care and using the proven power of Benzoyl Peroxide. The problems I see with the Proactiv system are firstly the price, it is a very expensive system to buy and secondly it is a product that relies on a marketing message and not just good medical advice. Look critically at the products before you buy them.

Clearasil

Clearasil is a large family of products that are mainly based on the use of Triclosan and Salicylic Acid. The company sells everything from face washes and night gels to cleansers and wipes. Triclosan is an antifungal agent and is used in many products, not just acne products. Salicylic acid slows down the cracking of cells in the follicles, which prevents blockage. It also helps break down black and whiteheads.

Clearasil has a fantastic range of products, I’m really all for an integrated skin regimen of a toner, cleanser and night cream and Clearasil offers them all. The price of Clearasil products is ok, they charge more than the product is worth, but let’s face it, Clearasil has the market and a proven product. The only downside is a bit of product confusion, Clearasil tries to have as many products as possible and you really don’t need more than three. If you buy Clearasil products, be sure to think about when you will use each one every day and how much it will cost.