Proactiv Solution 3-Step System

The original routine uses the Renewing Cleanser first, the Revitalizing Toner second, and the Repairing Treatment third. The third step is an acne treatment, not simply a standard moisturizer.

Proactiv identifies benzoyl peroxide at 2.5% as the active acne ingredient in Proactiv Solution, while the toner uses glycolic acid. Salicylic acid is specifically associated with Proactiv+ in the brand's product information.

Proactiv Solution is the original benzoyl peroxide routine, while Proactiv+ uses salicylic acid and ProactivMD uses adapalene gel 0.1%. These are separate routines, so their active ingredients and skin-care instructions should not be treated as interchangeable.

Proactiv's FAQ advises people who are pregnant, nursing, or planning pregnancy to ask a doctor before using products with active ingredients. The same FAQ notes that some people can be hypersensitive to ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or adapalene.